Japan protests at S Korea's comments on emperor

Lee has decided to throw all diplomacy to the 4 winds. What kind of reaction did he expect? Oh, that's right, I forgot: his legacy at home.

“Japan has not raised the issue with the South Korean government about the emperor visiting the country,” Gemba said.

Ouch. As much as I despise Gemba, this is one of the best comebacks I've heard in a while.

Sure hope WWII does start WWIII. Grow up boys. If Japanese are so angry at Koreans, stop buying its products, watching its dramas and buying its music. Otherwise, shut up and go out and enjoy your life. Laugh, love, live!

It's time for an overhaul for Japan's foreign policy especially with South Korea.

Start limiting Visas for South Koreans including all the Kpop stars.

the thing is the emperor cannot apologize as he does not officially represent japan and is banned from making political statements. something lee is apparently ignorant of among other things.

This is pretty much every summer thing, but President Lee has been playing it too hot this summer, starting with his landing on Takeshima/Dokto. He didn't make a clear comment on the South Korean footballer's nationalist action on the pitch (though I know that he's saying, "Well done, son!", in his mind). Now this Emperor stuff.

In a way, it was he who invited the DPJ guys to Yasukuni, which could be read as a reaction against his decision to play the nationalist chess.

No wonder, there's a Presidential election in December. Bashing Japan along this line is an absolute necessity.

Start limiting Visas for South Koreans including all the Kpop stars.

definitely...they'll change their tune fairly quickly (no pun intended)

It seems very clearly that the Korean president wants more money of sex slavery from Japan whatever. That's reason he raised the issues of the remarkable dispute isle and emperor apology again. I think Japan historically paid the compensation money in 1960s after Korean and Japanese government negotiated about all damages and sex slavery, but Korean government did not pay to people of Korea, and emperor did apologize years ago, but Korea thinks this is not enough.

@ kwatt

Let's be honest here. NOTHING will EVER be enough for the South Koreans.

Ooops, you can be a President only once in Korea. Sorry for my ignorance earlier.

Everybody enjoy the hospitality of Japan why do you spoil it? If you dont like Japan tell your people to return to your country.i think nobody will listen unless those who are not satisfied.you go home honorably without a heavy heart.

I seriously don't see what a superficial apology from a man removed from power who had nothing to do with the original attrocities is going to change. Next thing you know they will be demanding that Japan find a way to raise the dead who were involved so they can apologize for their misdeeds.

**this is another political agenda.

Ooh... punch 'em where it hurts. Imagine the huge loss of face for the nation if the little emperor apologizes. Ain't happening.

I'm sure visiting SK is right at the very top of the Emperor's to-do list.

'' at Aug. 16, 2012 - 08:45AM JST Sure hope WWII does start WWIII. Grow up boys.'' Ww1 was The cause of ww2 so ww3 could well be from previous differed from ww2. People should be aware so they can repair the damage not provoke it.

President Lee has concealed his hatred over Japan, the place where he has borned and expressed it suddenly at the end of his presidency! Very Brilliant, sure the leader of North Korea, Kim Jon IL will applaud him! korean were brothers forever!

But the comments appeared to have taken Tokyo by surprise

Now Japan sees how isolated she was at present, even her ally, the one who was seen as the hope of japanese diplomacy. South Korea has stabbed her back! From the president who was born in Japan and who was known to be pro-Japan anti-North Korea has stabbed her back! Does Japan ever rethink about herself even from her own national interest and security such situation is definately an omen!

"Gemba said he could not understand why Lee had made the call,"

Gemba doesn't seem to know much of anything these days, be it Hilary Clinton handing his arse to him on a platter or Lee visiting Dokdo. The guy's a fool, and that's all there is to it.

nigelboy: "Ouch. As much as I despise Gemba, this is one of the best comebacks I've heard in a while."

It's a lousy comeback, my friend, and if it's the best you've heard in a while I suggest you start reading new material.

Ossan: "Start limiting Visas for South Koreans including all the Kpop stars"

Why, so J-pop will gain more popularity by default instead of talent? Just go drag a Russian flag in the mud, Ossan, or deface a Korean flag, like the other radical nationalists here in japan. Calling for visas from Korea would only hurt Japan -- especially given how many Japanese love going to Korea for shopping and eating superior sashimi.

Lee ranks right up there with "kami no kuni" Mori as one of the most shameless, right-wing nationalistic political cretins in recent East Asian history.

I hope that he is made to pay for his hostile demagoguery. Koreans need to vote him and his party out of office.

Japanese should boycott products made by Samsung, LG and Hyundai and the other politically connected chaebol conglomerates.

I think this whole thing is proof that Kim Jong Il is alive, and has taken over the body of the South Korean president.

Does the North korean leader Kim Jon Un has to apologize for his father and grand father's wrong doings over south Korea? No absolutely not! Instead the Japanese emperor has to apologize for his father Hiroito, grand father Taijo,grand grand father Meiji's wrong doings to south Korea! So we can understand how wrongs the Japanese has done is beyond speech! Unfortunately the present japanese PM and their society has failed to acknowledged this serious concerns from President Lee's pledges!

@fdsAug. 16, 2012 - 09:40AM JST

"the thing is the emperor cannot apologize as he does not officially represent japan and is banned from making political statements. something lee is apparently ignorant of among other things."

The S. Koreans seem to be fully convinced that the late emperor ( Father ) played deniably a crucial role behind the WWII & should be treated as an A criminal. Alternatively, if the statement was put as "Mr. GEMBA/ NODA should apologize before visiting SK" it sounds not strong enough