politics

U.S. interior secretary defends Japanese comment to congresswoman

19 Comments

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19 Comments
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LOL what a DB. If he were addressing a Congressman of Hispanic descent would he start off with "Buenos Dias?". How about an African-American Congressman? Would he start off with "Yo Bro"? Why then is it ok in this particular case?

11 ( +12 / -1 )

chisinekoToday 08:42 am JST

Did he say anything about continuing the program? Did she object because she speaks no Japanese? Or did she have an antipathy to mornings?

I think she objected because as an American citizen, a Congresswoman no less, she was offended by the racial stereotyping nature of his remark. And well she should be.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

"How could ever saying 'good morning' be bad?"

OK, then, Mr. Zinke. 'Guten tag'. I believe that's how they say it where your family comes from.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Yeah not really appropriate

5 ( +7 / -2 )

What a moron.

As Ossan touches upon, you don't greet an American citizen with such a greeting. You don't greet Latino Americans or Black Americans with stereotypical language. Clearly he knew who this congresswoman was, and for him to make such a comment was a snide mockery. I am SO sick of politicians and others making idiotic comments and then trying to defend them.

But what do you expect from this Republican administration.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

toshiko: "I think he's showing off his friendliness to Japanese"

Are you aware of the timing of it? He said it to her after a heart-breaking story of how her father had been put in internment camps by the US government, and specifically talking about the treatment of ethnic Japanese. It was a racial insult.

""How could ever saying 'good morning' be bad?"

Is the guy mentally handicapped? I suppose being chosen by Trump would require that, almost, as a prerequisite, and certainly you have to be, or in his pockets, to defend him, but the guy can't even speak correctly. "How could ever saying 'good morning' be bad"? Really? Maybe English isn't his real language.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

We use konnichiwa all day long in Japan. Hawaii is not in Japan.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

At least ethnic Japanese over there have someone to represent their interests. Unlike here where you’d be hard pressed to find a politician who shows any concern for protecting the interests of the over two million whose bloodline isn’t of the Yamato race.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

kazetsukaiMar. 19 12:31 pm JST

Having a Japanese last name does not mean that he/she knows Japanese language well. Nor does it "imply" any "prejudice" or "ill intent" when a foreign language is used to greet someone or even to make a speech at a location and situation where such foreigners are recognized. The correctness of pronunciation or its use is "not" a problem.

A US Congresswoman is a "foreigner"???

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Zinke is racist bully and anti-Japanese.Japanese Govt. should lodge an official protest.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Having a Japanese last name does not mean that he/she knows Japanese language well. Nor does it "imply" any "prejudice" or "ill intent" when a foreign language is used to greet someone or even to make a speech at a location and situation where such foreigners are recognized. The correctness of pronunciation or its use is "not" a problem.

Being a politician Hanabusa (whom I know) made a statement that unfortunately "politicized" and "racial-ized" an event which was meant and intended to "improve" human relationships by continuing to preserve the intern sites. The word itself was not and is not a problem. But by having criticized the use of the word under those circumstances, it created a "negative" aura with an undesirable reaction from all. Something which was not wanted by anyone there. Basically it exposed Hanabusa's emotional and ideological stance on the issue and her need to "emphasize" the principles she apparently holds, while it appeared to "defame" Zinke, politically.

Sad that she does not have the "tact" to laugh such minor problems off, stop politicizing and concentrate on the issue at hand, which was to continue the preservation of WWII intern camp sites.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

She was not picking. In Hawaii, she might not be saying Aloha. But in mainland here, Konnihiwa is not insulting Japanese. Ohayou gozaimasu is used at surise time. And we will not say Hanabusa does not sound a Japanese name. We don't look at wrist watch. to greet people, smith.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japanese do not mind stereotyped image of Japanese. Even corporations manufacture products,, Japanese are treated well in USA.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Yamato is not race.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think Zinke was showing friendliness to ethnic Japanese.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Did he say anything about continuing the program? Did she object because she speaks no Japanese? Or did she have an antipathy to mornings?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

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