Nationalist jailed for hate campaign against firm that used S Korean actress in ads

....And this is just the beginning.

A year in jail just for yelling at some people? Did I miss the memo that freedom of speech is no longer given to all citizens?

So this Kim Tae-Hee is anti-Japanese activist, but doesn't mind getting money from Japan? Hmm!

@sikdjgugu there is a difference between saying what you want (freedom of speech) and threatening someone.

"threatening behavior"

If he indeed went beyond what's considered free speech, then he deserves the sentence.

"Did I miss the memo that freedom of speech is no longer given to all citizens?"

No, you missed the memo that says it's illegal to burst into the lobby of a private company angrily demanding things you have no right to demand. These men had no proper business with this pharmaceutical firm and showed up in force for the express purpose of intimidating the people who worked there.

That's not an expression of freedom of speech. That's pure asshat-ism.

Freedom of speech without the responsible exercise thereof isn't freedom. It's anarchy. You'd do well to learn the difference.

A year in jail just for yelling at some people?

Wrong. There's trespassing. And there's also issuing threats. The article mentions a "campaign," which we don't know much about, but it may involve extortion, or something else nasty.

sikdjgugu: "A year in jail just for yelling at some people?"

Given the behaviour of right-wingers, if the media is downplaying it as 'threatening behaviour' you can be sure it was a LOT more than just yelling.

roughneck: "So this Kim Tae-Hee is anti-Japanese activist, but doesn't mind getting money from Japan? Hmm!"

An anti-Japanese activist according to a lunatic right-winger who threatens people. I always find it funny how people will defend the actions of morons like this when they inflict far more violence than the people they claim to oppose.

So this Kim Tae-Hee is anti-Japanese activist, but doesn't mind getting money from Japan? Hmm!

That's because she isn't anti-Japanese.

Good job. These hate groups make me sick. At least something is being done about them.

Good to see something being done about those right wing nuts though. They get away with too much.

I would be angry too. While Japan has a lot of beauties, they chose a Korean. For example, Haruka Ayase is way more beautiful.

a hate campaign against a pharmaceutical firm which had a South Korean actress as its public face

Hilarious... they would bother to do this all because some company used a South Korean actress for their ad. Don't they have anything better to do? Oh, they're probably just some frustrated unemployed losers...

Awesome news! Please lock up more of those idiots and improve the quality of life of everyone else around. Down with the harassers! Down with noise polluters and those who use noise to intimidate!

blackrock: "I would be angry too. While Japan has a lot of beauties, they chose a Korean."

It's their prerogative. Any company who decides to use an actor based solely on ethnicity is racist, bottom line. They didn't choose her because she's Korean, they chose her because she is popular and can help sell the product. Saying she should not be hired for the job because she is South Korean is disgusting, and people like these right-wingers should be ashamed of themselves and their insecurity.

I'm glad to see the justice system trying to do something about it, but we'll see how the appeal goes, first. Would be nice if they got the other two nimrods and put them in prison as well. These little, sad old men need to learn their actions have consequences even in Japan.

poor man, i think his right! but why 1 year he just expressing and voice out his opinion? and besides many talented and beautiful japanese woman, but why choosing korean this kinda insult with the japanese people?

choosing korean this kinda insult with the japanese people

If the Japanese are "insulted" by a pharmaceutical company's enlistment of one non-Japanese person, then "the Japanese people" must have enormous chips on their shoulders or be extremely thin-skinned...or mostly likely both.

Trespassing and threatening behavior warrants a year in jail? You all are preposterous! If the men were being abusive, building security or even the police would just kick them out and remove them from the company premises. This doesn't even appear to be the case as the article didn't even report any physical confrontation. Jail time, really? Really?

I believe Nishimura was on parole (or suspended sentence, not sure which) at the time, so he will probably be in for something like 3 years. We can only hope...

This case is like the Chinese protesters who burnt Japanese branded cars owned by Chinese people.... simply insane. It tells us a lot about our country and the direction its heading.

Jail time, really? Really?

Yes.

It's pretty simple really. You are trespassing. Get off our property before we call the police!! *Nationalists thinks everything is his to decide doesn't leave. Alright, have it your way. They called the police. Boom - 1 year, probably suspended. Have a nice day. Get back in your black van and roll out.

It's not really an issue of the message but rather how it was delivered.

Now here's the inconvenient truth. Koreans are good for marketing. It's already been proven. Just an example, the rapper Psy, he killed it on YouTube. As well as other Korean music groups and artists. They are marketable.

Nationalism has no place in the boardroom when they are trying to turn a profit.

seems like him and his buddies was just part of the hate CAMPAIGN, which is why he got a year in jail, good. Now please go after those idiots who forced that council official, with threats of violence and racism, to cancel the kids Korean show the other week.

I hope this extremist, violent grub has a good time in the place where his type belong: the slammer. What's next - UNIQLO? I saw that Japanese company - also marketed internationally like Rohto - sometimes use black and white people in their ads! Shock horror!

Great news ! This guy's a nutjob, and a prominent member of a right-wing group called Kansai Team. Here's one of the videos ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=k7sYURlH_Io&NR=1

602miko: "poor man, i think his right! but why 1 year he just expressing and voice out his opinion?"

He threatened people, he didn't just state an opinion.

"...and besides many talented and beautiful japanese woman, but why choosing korean this kinda insult with the japanese people?"

I don't know about 'talented', but there are indeed a lot of Japanese beauties out there. But again, it's up to the company whom they choose to sport their products, and if the Japanese are so insecure that they're insulted by the company's choice then perhaps the Japanese ought to increase their confidence level.

I think, all K people (K Pop, K Star basically all the Kim) that earns from Japan should clarify what their stance is about the islands. If they are "active" supporters of Korea and cursing Japan when they are there, lets stop paying them! Why give money for people who has no respect for Japan! Same goes for all similar Chinese people....including the Jacky Chan.

East Asian nationalism...

there is a difference between saying what you want (freedom of speech) and threatening someone

This point would be more solid if we knew what threats were made, if any. That information is missing. Without it, it looks like garden-variety tresspassing or harrassment. I know the difference between a threat and free speech, but I'm skeptical the j-authorities do.

I don't think a Korean artist, model, singer, whatever needs to state his PERSONAL opinion about anything, much less such a delicate topic as the islands in dispute. Keep professional matters and personal sentiment separate.

"Jail time, really? Really?"

Yes, really. The actual charge this guy was found guilty of, if I'm reading the Japanese news sites correctly, was extortion. He refused to let the employees he accosted during his trespass to continue with their work or leave the area until they satisfactorily justified the company's use of a Korean actress for a commercial. His demands were backed by an implied threat of violence in the three friends he brought with him.

It bears noting that the staff he and his cronies browbeat likely had nothing to do with the advertising division's decision to use Kim for their commercials.

"East Asian nationalism..."

As opposed to the soft and fluffy nationalism of neo-Nazis?

Nationalist jailed for hate campaign against firm that used S Korean actress in ads

Ah~ The good Old Misleading Headline... This case actually has NOTHING at all to do with South Korea, or any other foreign country (so don't start jumping for joy over perceived anti-discrimination laws)

JT knows better than this, this is a pure Propaganda Shock headline, The story deals only with a group of men barging into an office and posting an unflattering video (I'm sure Japan is the only country you would get jail time) Unless you are threatening to come in guns blazing, the cops in western countries wouldn't touch it.

Bravo JT!

@Ch1n4Sailor

How is the headline misleading? It states quite clearly what the body of the story was about.

Of course it has nothing to do with South Korea or any other foreign country - what are you rattling on about? The three men were protesting the use of a Korean Celebrity in a Japanese Firms promotional material

How is this, as you say a "Propaganda Shock headline"? I'm am utterly bewildered at the mess of words I'm reading from you.

I used to work for a municipal office and have had the pleasure (not really) of witnessing a few such incidents. Was not uncommon for an individual or group to visit some department head and begin a discussion that would not end until they had been placated in some way. It was also not uncommon for these individuals to claim that they were the representatives of the larger group of similarly concerned Japanese citizens so that they would be taken more seriously. Totally disruptive with more than occasion shouting which in no way could be similarly returned by any of the affected komuin.

Have also worked for private companies where similar tactic have been employed by individuals or groups looking for some sort of satisifaction. Non-stop extremely long phone calls preventing section managers from properly doing their jobs. Employees being hassled at the office by buisiness men demanding to no why that vendor contract was given to Company A instead of them. I have personally been involved in a few of these meetings/phone calls. It is not fun at all.

The threats may be unspoken but the fear and havoc these people can cause is very real. Usually it most cases, these things go unreported. Cops are almost never called. So if the police got involved this time then it probably was quite serious.

Have also worked for private companies where similar tactic have been employed by individuals or groups looking for some sort of satisifaction. Non-stop extremely long phone calls preventing section managers from properly doing their jobs.

Hanging up is not rocket science, especially when part of your job as manager is to deal with people who are out to waste your time.

meandmybigmouth: "I think, all K people (K Pop, K Star basically all the Kim) that earns from Japan should clarify what their stance is about the islands."

Why? It's not anyone's business but their own, and quite frankly I don't think dragging politics into the lives of people who are here, upon request, to entertain. Requiring people to state their preference on the issue because of who they are would set a dangerous precedent that would lead to Japanese being asked the same when they went to China or Korea for business or what have you.

NessieDec. 19, 2012 - 02:44PM JST Hanging up is not rocket science, especially when part of your job as manager is to deal with people who are out to waste your time.

Sure sounds simple, unfortunately it's not always so clear cut. That approach was tried many times and they just kept calling back. Just exasperated the situation. Unfortunately being rude on the phone to anybody (even jerks who may deserve it) is typically not a good trait to put on display when you're working in an office. I've worked in offices both here and back home (Western country) and hanging on people just like that is not typically not something that is encouraged. At home sure, at the office not so much.

smithinjapanDec. 19, 2012 - 03:04PM JST Why? It's not anyone's business but their own, and quite frankly I don't think dragging politics into the lives of people who are here, upon request, to entertain. Requiring people to state their preference on the issue because of who they are would set a dangerous precedent that would lead to Japanese being asked the same when they went to China or Korea for business or what have you.

Yep, exactly. Imagine if every Japanese person trying to do business in China was officially asked to go on record regarding the Nanking Massacre. How about Japanese people doing business in Korea (North or South) being forced to take a position on the Comfort Women issue?

""I think, all K people (K Pop, K Star basically all the Kim) that earns from Japan should clarify what their stance is about the islands."

Why? It none of my business. And it's none of yours either. These people are entertainers. Their job is to give people some respite from the mind-numbing drivel of nationalism-minded jerks like the one's who invaded Rohto's offices. They owe the public nothing more and nothing less for what they're paid.

This incident clarifies two points. One, major companies like Rohto considering use of this SK actress for TV tells us that the public either doesn't care or never really knew about whatever fuss being made. Two, the police would never hesitate to immediately lock these right wingers up for whatever violation of law, which is just normal, but always comforting to confirm.

@yagura

Unfortunately being rude on the phone to anybody (even jerks who may deserve it) is typically not a good trait to put on display when you're working in an office.

Hanging up on someone who's harrassing you is not rude. Repeated calls would be rude.

A few minutes of humoring. "Thank you for your opinion, okyaku-sama. We will take it into consideration." [click]

It really is not rocket science.

"We will take it into consideration.[click] "

This only prompts these kinds of people to keep calling back saying so-and-so promised them some kind of resolution, and escalates the problem. I've dealt with these utterly moronic cases in Japan and they will not back down and trying to throw them off the phone lines just causes them to storm in and irritate everyone in person until their nutjob fantasyof being told they're right is fulfilled.

KTH is pro-Seoul's sovereignty over the disputed islands - she is not anti-Japanese- the nation and its people.

There's nothing more worthy of hating than hate itself.

caffeinebuzzDec. 19, 2012 - 08:07PM JST "We will take it into consideration.[click] " This only prompts these kinds of people to keep calling back saying so-and-so promised them some kind of resolution, and escalates the problem. I've dealt with these utterly moronic cases in Japan and they will not back down and trying to throw them off the phone lines just causes them to storm in and irritate everyone in person until their nutjob fantasyof being told they're right is fulfilled.

This is exaclty what happens. Like I said, hanging up is not usually the recommended course of action for the typical employee in cases like this. Most are advised to pass it along to the people who usually handle this kind of thing and let them deal with it. Many companies have a special employee or special section to deal with this kind of thing.

In some ways, rocket science might be easier.