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Anti-Russian protest

34 Comments

Protesters demanding the return of disputed islands claimed by both Japan and Russia, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia, march under ginkgo trees in Tokyo, on Thursday.

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Normally the Japanese are quite apathetic so this protest must mainly be comprised mainly of Right Wing members from around the country.

8 ( +14 / -6 )

this protest must mainly be comprised mainly of Right Wing members from around the country.

and sactioned as well as supported by the Japanese government. Don't forget that.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Not anti-Russian at all, very bad headline.

Nationalistic maybe.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I may be mistaken, but I don't see any Ainu nation flags in this crowd. In my opinion, without the involvement of the displaced indigenous people who have the only true claim to these islands, any protests about this situation are seriously lacking in credibility.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

As usual those interested much search for a proper explanation of events:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/01/national/politics-diplomacy/former-japanese-residents-russian-held-isles-parade-tokyo/#.WEC8Tn0uNIU

Some of the marchers are former residents of the islands ( Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai group ). They must be very old by now so I wonder if they can remember much about their former lives there.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

SaikoPsycho / Aly Rustom

Actually you're both quite wrong.

The biggest flag you see right up front is the Rengo flag, which is the Labour Union Confederation and is affiliated/closely tied to the Democratic Party of Japan (your beloved Renho).

Furthermore, the Japanese Communist Party are the ones making the most extreme demand against the Russians; All of the Kurile Islands as opposed to just 4 demanded by the Liberal Democratic Party et al.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Good for them.

Contrary to the ignorant naysayers who portray all Japanese as mindless sheeple that do not participate in activism, this is just another example of how Japanese do engage in protesting things they are passionate about. You saw it during anti war protests and anti military protests.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

why these people can't protest for what really matters?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Imperialism has yet again taken root in Japan after patriotic SHinzo Abe`s influence on this severe matter!!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The biggest flag you see right up front is the Rengo flag, which is the Labour Union Confederation and is affiliated/closely tied to the Democratic Party of Japan (your beloved Renho).

What a BS LDP propaganda statement.

Rengo has has 54 affiliate unions and 47 local organizations AND in 2014, it endorsed the LDP disaster Yoichi Masuzoe for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, so please don't go there and tell me that this is associated with Renho and her party.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RENGO

5 ( +10 / -5 )

The islands were lost in war. Japan is free to try to engage Russia on the subject but is not in a position to demand anything.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

why these people can't protest for what really matters?

Believe it or not, having your homeland taken from you by force actually matters to most people.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Better to leave the islands in Russian hands! As soon as the Japanese gain control there would be a mass concreting undertaken to nobody's benefit......

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@ Aly

That only means that your beloved leftists are beginning to question their traditional leftist party affiliations as it can no longer win them any influence over political matters.

My main point, which you are trying to avoid, still stands - these events calling for norther territory repatriation are by no means dominated by right leaning groups and individuals, if anything the traditional left are more vocal and extreme in their demands. You and Saiko are still wrong.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

The Slav has no claim to these islands and only seized them through force and comically cowardly opportunism. It's understandable people are anti-Russian

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

dcog9065... you are historically wrong.. in fact you should read about https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Saint_Petersburg_(1875) and then you must have heard by now about the WW2 .. , if you dont know - Japan was aggressor and Russia captured these islands back. Now, Russia was kind enough to propose splitting it but Japan was too greedy and never signed the agreement., hence nothing was ever concluded. The ultra right wing factions in JP cant cope with giving something to Russia, although Russia did propose mutual development few times already...

8 ( +13 / -5 )

That only means that your beloved leftists are beginning to question their traditional leftist party affiliations as it can no longer win them any influence over political matters.

Dream on.

My main point, which you are trying to avoid, still stands - these events calling for norther territory repatriation are by no means dominated by right leaning groups and individuals, if anything the traditional left are more vocal and extreme in their demands. Not trying to avoid anything. I was pointing out the holes in your argument. And no, it is not the leftists at all that are amassing in front of either the Chinese or the Russian embassies. Its the right wing. If you had done your research, which you obviously haven't, you would know that it is not just the Uyoku, but the politicians behind them which back them and give them the backbone with which to demonstrate. Ishihara, Hiranuma, and Hashimoto are but a few.

You and Saiko are still wrong.

Here's what's wrong: For you to try and paint the protests as having something to do with the left wing makes about as much sense as Donald Trump claiming that MILLIONS of illegal votes permeated the election. But then again, one of the classic marks of the right wing is to create an alternate reality and attempt to present it as a different point of view.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

The Slav has no claim to these islands and only seized them through force and comically cowardly opportunism. It's understandable people are anti-Russian The Soviets lost 20million people fighting the Germans and no other country sacrificed more during WW2. Most definitely they claimed those islands out of opportunism, but Russians / Soviets were far from cowardly or comical! please keep you ignorant insults to yourself. You may want to study a bit more about WW2 history , it was far bigger than just the Pacific war. Oh and the Pacific war wasn't started by the attack on pearl harbor, it was started by the 1937 cowardly invasion of China by the IJA!

9 ( +15 / -6 )

...the peace is inches away now, right Abe?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"why these people can't protest for what really matters?"

Well of course. Here are a bunch of people taking time out of their lives to go and do something. Standing up and being counted. They only need one thing. They need somebody to TELL THEM what to do. TELL THEM what to care for and demonstrate for. Sure. Why should they waste their time deciding on their own important issues and thinking independently? Clearly what they need is for somebody posting on JapanToday giving them some direction and ambition worthy of their effort.

Let's help them out everyone. Keep those opinions coming. Obviously these people need our help to be good citizens.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Alex Einz

if you dont know - Japan was aggressor and Russia captured these islands back. Now, Russia was kind enough to propose splitting it but Japan was too greedy and never signed the agreement., hence nothing was ever concluded. The ultra right wing factions in JP cant cope with giving something to Russia, although Russia did propose mutual development few times already...

Excuse me? There had been absolutely no disputes on these 4 islands betwen Japan and Russia at all until Russia took them by force. How can you read your linked reference to come up with such statements?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Shimoda#Treaty_of_Commerce_and_Navigation_between_Japan_and_Russia_.281855.29

Now, Russia was kind enough to propose splitting it but Japan was too greedy and never signed the agreement., hence nothing was ever concluded. The ultra right wing factions in JP cant cope with giving something to Russia, although Russia did propose mutual development few times already...

Japn was under much stonger influence of US than it is now. Things were not such plain and simple. Its not good idea that you sum up things like that without refering to, say, Threat of Dulles

wtfjapan

Russians / Soviets were far from cowardly or comical! please keep you ignorant insults to yourself. You may want to study a bit more about WW2 history , it was far bigger than just the Pacific war. Oh and the Pacific war wasn't started by the attack on pearl harbor, it was started by the 1937 cowardly invasion of China by the IJA!

All countries during WW2 WERE COWARD Not to mention Russia WAS Coward Invader, even US DID Coward First attacks to Germans

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

They're Russian islands. Period. Don't believe me? Go to them and protest and see what happens.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

@alex

Russia captured these islands back

You could make that statement for Sakhalin, but regarding the four Kuril islands in question there's no back about it; they were never under Russian control at any point prior to 1945

0 ( +6 / -6 )

People are very orderly and peaceful demanding return of Northern Territories islands under beautiful ginkgo trees.Outcome of the coming talks between PM Abe and Mr Putin during his forthcoming visit to Japan is likely to smoothen the path for peaceful resolution of this matter between the two countries. Wait for excellent results and hope for the best.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

nobody cares or is watching, go home and play gateball

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

smithinjapanDEC. 02, 2016 - 12:58PM JST

They're Russian islands. Period. Don't believe me? Go to them and protest and see what happens.

That cannot be the way to settle disputes. Do you think parts of Iraq belong to IS based on what happens when you protest in such disputed areas?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@smithinjapan They're Russian islands. Period. Don't believe me? Go to them and protest and see what happens.....couldn't agree more!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Unless you grow up mentally and politically, Japanese brothers, you can wery vell go contest those islands in an another fight with our forces. See you trying.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

If Russia doesn't hand them over, impose sanctions by deporting all the Russian prossies and strippers in Japan. There's so many of them in the Pong, the lost remittance income would probably tip Russia into a deep recession and send them back another few decades

0 ( +1 / -1 )

DieRealityCheck yes, Russia took em by force.. which they are entitled to since Japan was an aggressor, call it a trophy. and get used to that too.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

smithinjapanDEC. 02, 2016 - 12:58PM JST They're Russian islands. Period. Don't believe me? Go to them and protest and see what happens.

The Samurais know better where to dare, I wish they'd collect an armada of fishing vessels for a " tour" as they once did to the Senkaku/Diaoyu/Tiaoyutai. Am as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow that the Kremlin bear would do more than scratch and bite. The Samurais with their yamato-damashi know better.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Russia should not and will not return these islands, cos the moment they return, it'll become another US base with all missile defense system station at Russia backyard. Russia has its own security concern, moreover it's theirs to keep.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Alex

Opportunistic aggresion, Aggresion through opium dependence, Aggression by just threat, all the same.

Coalition with Germany made Japan indirectly war with USSR? BS.

Who had been providing Guns , Cannons, Fighter Jets, other heavy weapons to Republic of China from the behind when Tripartite Pact was signed?

And what Japanese-Soviet Newtrality Treaty a.k.a Non-Aggression Pact (which Soviet unilaterally denounced later) was concluded in 1941 for ?

No need to refer to actual history if you don't know, just say We rule the world.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

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