Sending a message

What kind of message are they sending? That they are a bunch of idiots? If so, I got it loud and clear.

I apologize to all readers for posting like a jerk.

All they achieved was ruining a sign they paid to have made.

When you live in the past you do not have a future

I think this flag is nicer than the current hinomaru. Japan should go back to using this one.

When you live in the past you do not have a future

I cannot like your comment enough. I understand why these gentlemen are upset, but not what they expect from their method of protest. SK peeps have funny ways of protesting.

While these idiots only represent a small fraction of the South Korean population, there is indeed enough anti-Japan sentiment to influence political and diplomatic policy. While Japan has it's own bunch of idiots driving around in black trucks and annoying everybody, such sentiment does not dictate Japanese politics or diplomatic policy. South Korea really needs to get a grip, a bunch of Japanese politicians visiting a shrine doesn't hurt anyone. Nuclear missiles and artillery most certainly can. And in a very bad way. Makes one wonder to what degree South Korean society and government has been infiltrated by North Korea, or if not, whether the term "priority" exists in South Korea.

Defacing a flag Japan no longer uses. Someone's living in the past, and they don't rhyme with lapin.

Defacing a flag Japan no longer uses

Actually, versions of this flag are used by the SDF.

I apologize to all readers for posting like a jerk.

As long as people allow their anger an emotions to dictate their actions there will never be a chance for any type of trust between the countries.

Without the caption I would have pegged them for Japanese nationalist idiots.

Kimokekuhana: "When you live in the past you do not have a future"

The same can be said for when you deny and try to forget it.

bgaudry: "Without the caption I would have pegged them for Japanese nationalist idiots."

Exactly. Idiots are idiots. There is no nationality in such respect.

Ossan: "While Japan has it's own bunch of idiots driving around in black trucks and annoying everybody, such sentiment does not dictate Japanese politics or diplomatic policy."

Really? And yet you have politicians here saying they visited out of 'necessity' and 'for the sake of the nation', etc., when clearly they were doing nothing but creating situations to harm it.

When you live in the past you do not have a future

Like @smithinjapan said, denying the past gives an equal result and Japanese politicians have done just that. People are blasting these guys because they like Japan and don't like South Korea. These guys have a somewhat legitimate complaint. Notice how a politicians picture is on there. It's more a protest of the government than the Japanese people as a whole. Compare this to the protests last month in Tsuruhashi and Shin-Okubo where hundreds of ultra-nationalists called for all Koreans (even those who were born here and whose ancestors were forced to come to Japan because of the Korean occupation) to leave Japan and many even saying that all Koreans should die.

The flag is not a "Japanese war time flag". That is traditionally used to wish for good luck or celebrating something in Japan as you still can see the flags in national holidays or on fisher-boats wishing for large catch.

In 1870, Meiji period, the design was picked up for Japanese army probably wishing for victory in battles. The SDF is still using this flag.

Anyway, I think most of Japanese recognize this flag as something generally wishing for good luck and may even know Korean say this is a "war time flag". I think Korean right wing people need a symbol easy to understand and something to burn and tear down.

how is honoring the war dead creating a situation to harm diplomacy? this is manufactured outrage by SK and china. if these politicians were honoring only the 14 "war criminals" (which actually is a very dubious term) that's one thing, but they are not. japan has apologized numerous times for its militaristic past, which can't be a "hollow" gesture if it's done in front of the international community.

Scenes like this reminds me of how some people who are unable to accept our differences, the past, etc.. creates disorder in the Current society. Thousands of JPs are visiting and exploring SK as tourist, for biz etc and they don't much complain about it, and why would this old shrine matter that much..?? No wonder what a person can do if they let their bad feeling rule their small minds.. Why can't they just sing "we are the world" and make this place a better one? Reminds me of Scorpions "under the same sun" too:

"'Cause we all live under the same Sun We all walk under the same Moon Then why, why can't we live as one"

I do hate seeing people cutting or burning pictures, symbol, and flag of the others!

Korean says Japanese learn nothing from the past, huh? Japanese go the Yasukuni to respect and pray for all people who fought in the past, including nurses or soldiers. Also, not only Japanese, but also other countries ppl is enshrined.

They have done it so many times, it's lost all meaning.

What I haven't heard enough are the plight of the victims of the occupation as told by themselves or their families.

WakarimasenApr. 24, 2013 - 08:03AM JST I think this flag is nicer than the current hinomaru. Japan should go back to using this one

NessieApr. 24, 2013 - 08:14AM JST Defacing a flag Japan no longer uses. Someone's living in the past, and they don't rhyme with lapin

That is the Japanese Naval Ensign. The JMSDF started re-using it back in 1968 on all their vessels.

smithinjapanApr. 24, 2013 - 09:19AM JST "Ossan: "While Japan has it's own bunch of idiots driving around in black trucks and annoying everybody, such sentiment does not dictate Japanese politics or diplomatic policy." Really? And yet you have politicians here saying they visited out of 'necessity' and 'for the sake of the nation', etc., >when clearly they were doing nothing but creating situations to harm it.

Yes REALLY smith. Japanese foreign and diplomatic ;policy with South Korea (as well China) are not based on the rantings of a small right wing group. What Japanese politicians do in their own country hurts nobody, it is simply used an excuse by China and South Korea to prolong their anti-Japan hatred, just like yours.

smithinjapanApr. 24, 2013 - 09:18AM JST "Kimokekuhana: "When you live in the past you do not have a future" The same can be said for when you deny and try to forget it.

Exactly which is why South Korea will never be accepted as an advanced developed nation until they are able to honestly face their history and role in WWII, instead of just blaming Japan for everything while playing "victim".

@OssanAmerica What world do you live in where South Korea is not an advanced developed nation?

That old imperial flag represent "the land of Rising Sun" during WWII. The current flag represent "the land of Setting Sun".

Get over it! The war is over!

A bunch of foreigners (I am assuming there aren't many Koreans or Japanese posting here) arguing about how Korea and Japan should act diplomatically.

PRICELESS!

Lowlifes will be lowlifes!

Glad this flag is still in use.

i could laugh but the South Koreans number one enemy is Japan not North Korea. And yes, the third on the list is USA. Go figure that out. Grow up cry babies. Your insecurity is so sickening.

and before i forget, ths same SK will have the effigy of Bill gates burned by tomorrow for disrespecting the prime minister, by extending only one hand during their accolade

THEN do your job!

http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2013/04/221369.html

http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/assets/201304/0423025-thumb450x.jpg

You should look at the original banner.

Their message is that Abe and Hitler are same.

They should be nice...they may need the USA and Japan just in case their neighbors to the north come knocking on their door. Not the smartest people in town, huh?

"Crazy, but that's how it goes Millions of people living as foes Maybe it's not too late To learn how to love And forget how to hate"

The fat guy on the right looks like he's in a state of total ecstasy.

every comment in here also works perfectly in the yasukuni thread

Do these people have anything better to do with their time? Seriously Koprea, it's been what, almost 70 years now?

When you live in the past you do not have a future

Unpleasant past is distant memory for Japan today. Visiting Yasukuni means some Gentlemen in Japan are very fond of revisiting the good old glorious days of their forefathers . They are the ones can not distant with the history.

Defacing a flag Japan no longer uses. Someone's living in the past, and they don't rhyme with lapin.

disagree. they are defacing a flag that japan flew when they were on a warpath in asia. it's akin to anti-racists defacing the nazi flag. germany no longer uses it, but it's a symbol of racist movements.

Get over it! The war is over!

yeah...so what if their grandparents or siblings were victims of horrific jpn atrocities. going by your logic, the u.s. should do the same with regards to 9/11. "get over it!"

Politicians are a dime a dozen. They should save their energy for when an Emperor goes there. That is the only thing that counts. Hirohito refused to go there after the class A war criminals were enshrined there, and so as Akihito. Anyway, China and South Korea should remind Japan about the past. I find nationalistic Japanese scarry and so do my friends. We hope they disappear into Yasukuni and never come out.

Those who forget the past, will repeat it. Japan has to be reminded constantly about their past. They seemed to have forgotten about all the atrocities they inflicted on human beings. during WW2. They forgot that they ripped 10 year old boys from their mothers arms and used them for slave labor until they they died of total exhaustion and starvation. They forgot that their military inflicted terrible atrocities to innocent women and children in these concentration camps. They forgot that they had plans to kill them all, all in the name of the Emperor. When are they finally see history as it is. They raped my mother and her sister repeatedly in camp Moentilan, and of all places in a church. They were animals trained military by Japan. They had no respect for life. It's time for Japan to recognize their wrong doings during that horrible time when they like to conquer the world. They are losers and always will be, as long as they do not take the blame the shame will never go away. Those who were there, never got over it and never will.It's people like maglev101 who have no idea what he is talking about..We hated the flag from Japan the flag which was raised everywhere, the rising sun. For us there was no rising sun, only misery, starvation, malaria, oedema and beatings from these so called Nipon soldiers.My mother and her sister never got over it, they survived, and I survived with bad memories we have to live with.

"Get over it! The war is over!"

Tell that to the Japanese politicians visiting Yasukuni.

@Ruud, we have heard this, but we have also heard the same things said about the Dutch in Indonesia. This is the pot calling the kettle black, as they say in Britian.

Ruud Thea Bisenberger

You need to tell that to the Koreans more since they completely forgot that they were part of Japan and participated on their own free will as foot soldiers.

We forgot what the US did to us, so we have the right to forget what we did. In any case, McArthur forbid disussion of war, so we could not develop a way to think about it when it mattered. The chance was lost. Besides the people who should apologize were killed by the US.

Also, tabloid press reports that the priests at Yasukuni hate the politicians going there because it causes so many problems.

What's the bet we see Japanese nationalists doing the same thing to a Korean flag in the next few days?

Ruud sadly is not ofcourse your average comentator who just found this site. Google her name and you'll see. She is looking for compensation from the Japanese gov and her whole ideology as with most Korean/Chinese ultra nationalists is revolving around the Santayana saying and is fed on hatred.

Also I wonder how the commentators of this site feel having their comments translated in Korean. http://www.gasengi.com/main/board.php?bo_table=politics&wr_id=55693

Would it be possible for JT to blog any comments on such subjects like Yasukuni and Japan/Korean/Chinese nationalism? Aren't death threats towards commentators enough? Everybody has said their piece more than once.

JT never misses a chance to lampoon these guys at every opportunity. How about a shot of the loonies at Yasukuni or the crazies yelling for Koreans to be murdered on loudhorns?

OrangeXenon54Apr. 24, 2013 - 10:50AM JST @OssanAmerica What world do you live in where South Korea is not an advanced developed nation?

The one where South Korea is not on the G7 or G8 or even G8+5. South Korea only became developed in the 1970s with a tremendous amount of Japanese help. But I'm sure they'll deny that too.

What's interesting is how the Chines and South Koreans get so butt-hurt over some visits to a shrine, of which they probably know little or nothing about, yet they have no problem sticking their hand out to take Japanese money. China and South Korea both experienced rapid economic growth primarily because of guaranteed, low interest loans from the Japanese. In response to the unrest, perhaps it's the Japanese demand immediate repayment. The Chinese and South Korean governments would erase right-wing loons overnight.

Why are they protesting ? The war is over, it's all history... Nothing to gain..... Just wasted time, money and energy....

That's cool SK. Meanwhile your northern neighbours are threatening to attack you.

@RaudtheaBisenger, what you are describing is true to all wars, even in recent wars. The beast in human beings floats that's why we shld all renounce war and leaders who have nothing else to do but to show off and bully another nation. And those people who are living off in the country they so despise are free to go and live less in their own home country.

Japan did not use Korean letters on its flags, one red sun with white background, one with red surise with white background. Look at JSDF flags. It never uses Korean letters on the flag.

This flag has Koreqn letters. Japan had one sun over white back and one sunrise with white back. Never two on same flag. JSDF does not use Korean language.

Following is my guess and not fact. I think people who do not like Japan created this flag and expressed their opinion. I don't think this is not done by Korean government. Although this flag is phony, it is quite art5istic. Maybe they purposefully created this phony flag?

Correction I don't think Korean Govt ordered this action. Korean Govt is good on speech to express their feelings.

*SerranoApr. 24, 2013 - 10:49PM JST

"Get over it! The war is over!" Tell that to the Japanese politicians visiting Yasukuni.*

Yasukuni visitors have known it.