Pro-Pyongyang celebration

Hmm... I find this rather strange. While I accept some people have cultural/ethnicity relations with the DPRK, nobody in their right mind would support this regime...

I wonder how many of them spent enough time there to happily celebrate the greatness of the Great Leader/Dear Leader and DPRK...

Awesome picture, Reuters cameraman using manual mode (?!)

Traitors to the country they live in. Why doesn't Japan allow Al Quaida and Om Shin Ri Kyo to openly celebrate like that, too?

As absurd as this picture is, I'm happy to live in a country that supports free-speech.

Synchronised fawning.

I wonder how many of them would willing go back and live like the commoner in NK rather than an "elite" compared to how they live in Japan. I am sure some would be singing a different song.

I wonder how many of them would willing go back and live like the commoner in NK ........

The answer is in the picture, none of them.

I'm happy to live in a country that supports free-speech.

You crack me up!

WTF in Tokyo?

Where are our regular posters' who are always concerned of Japan being nationalistic, having no freedom of speech, discriminating against minorities and whatnot whatnot...?

As absurd as this event looks (let's not forget NK has been threating Japan with their missiles,) Japan respects free speech and human rights.

a celebration ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the association in Tokyo on Sunday. Portraits of North Korea’s late founder Kim Il Sung (L) and late leader Kim Jong Il are seen on the stage.

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They are celebrating the association establishment in Tokyo. Not current regime in N K. So they only showed past two leaders contributed to their home country. They probably love Japan's free speech and democracy. They are not traiter to Japan. Despite of heavy insults and discrimination, they must love to live in Japan.

I notice there's no portrait of the current "Dear Leader".

An oversight, or a message?

NYtoday

Where are our regular posters' who are always concerned of Japan being nationalistic, having no freedom of speech, discriminating against minorities and whatnot whatnot...?

It's an anniversary celebration of an immigrant association that's existed in the country legally for 60 years now. They're not protesting or making a political statement, so let's not go overboard in patting Japan in the back for allowing it to happen.

Japan might have a pretty good track record for freedom of speech, but discrimination against minorities and attempts at censoring the media are real problems that still exist. You can have positive feelings about a country, and still complain about it's problems.

Why no picture of Kim Jong un at this rally? He's been in charge since December 2011. Couldn't find a picture of him to hang up with this father and grandfather?

Quite the turnout! I don't think any of these people has any idea what it would be like to live under the regime of the man they idolize. But, so long as they are doing nothing legally wrong, let them have their celebration -- proof that Japan is sometimes open to differences.

This type of rally is like a wart on the nose. The more attention the media gives it, the bigger it seems. Where are the anti NK people and why aren't they protesting this assembly? The answer is, they don't care. Buy everyone who wants to go "home" a ticket to NK with one provision: No Japanese yen in their pocket or transfers.

Talk about a raging case of Korean styled 'Stockholm syndrome'. I mean really, 60 years and counting living free and being able to see their country brothers and sisters dying of starvation and being threaten with torture and death if they don't join in the chant and tow the company line. Seriously brainwashing in Korean culture must be taught early on in life or it's in their DNA and they must just love the drama, pain and suffering that go with it. I'd feel sorry for them but they truly must know what they're doing is wrong. They're free to live anywhere and they choose to do this. WOW!

I notice there's no portrait of the current "Dear Leader".

An oversight, or a message?

-good observation. I was thinking the same.

Free speech is great! but this event is thanks to the Japanese Taxpayers!

They should thank Japan for being democratic, which allows them to hold such views and celebrations.

If it were not for these people, their families still stuck in the North would be starving.

Why is the fat little current Kim missing? Did nobody ask them?

No way in hell it's an oversight. Oversights do not happen in such an orchestrated atmosphere. It's a message, pure and simple. All we have to do is figure it out.

Perhaps if the present leader were to ameliorate relations with Japan, they could get that MAN GYONG BONG 92 - Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship moving backwards and forwards again.

I wonder how many of them would willing go back and live like the commoner in NK rather than an "elite" compared to how they live in Japan. I am sure some would be singing a different song.

Same can be said about people who escape their country for a better life in a different country yet still support their former country's national team.

@MrBum

It is quite remarkable that Japan allows The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan to hold such an event while they have been funding North Korea who's missiles are aiming at Japan.

I am surprised that regardless of all that discrimination and abuse those Koreans have been bearing with as they often speak out, they choose to stay in Japan for as long as 60 years instead of their Paradise Lost they praise so much.

Pachinko money, anyone?