'Patriotic Wives' praise Abe, censure China, S Korea

Five hundred members nationwide?

Wow, that's almost as many as the Japanese Charlie Chaplin Appreciation Society.

They good part of this article is that these groups are a minority. The bad part is just how extreme right-wing they are, the possibility that their membership will grow, and that they could actually affect nation policy.

Many members were galvanized by fears the DPJ would give foreign residents the right to vote

Even though I'm not a permanent resident here (just a long term one), I have accepted the fact, as I suspect many other foreigners in Japan have, that we will never be accepted by the Japanese as one of them. No matter what we do, we will always be a Gaijin. Voting rights? That's so far down the list it's hard to see it ever become a reality here.

These women don't know how they were defined in Japan's male oriented society. No wonder they don;t have more members.

Hakuo Yanagisawa was health minister during Abe's first stint as prime minister in 2007 when he described women as "baby-making machines"

Yoshiro Mori, a former prime minister. In 2003,, Mori called career women who put off childbirth selfish and challenged whether they should be eligible for pensions. In 2009, while in a tough local-election race with a 33-year-old female travel agent, Mori warned voters not to be won over by her "nice body" and "sexiness."

Yoichi Masuzoe, Tokyot governor. whether humans who menstruate are fit for public office and deriding female lawmakers as "middle-aged hags".

Japanese housewives, mums and working women...denouncing Japan’s pacifist constitution

... we have passed the limit of our endurance.

And the answer is to scream abuse at others who are just trying to get on with their lives, and to change the constitution so that your children can be sent off to kill and die in yet another useless, senseless war? How many of these too-much-time-on-their-hands women are ready to speak with their feet and join up to a new, constitutionally-unfettered, aggressive SDF?

Make no mistake: these women are not "patriotic". They are simply bigoted and hysterical - and likely frustrated with their lives. Admitting to attending rallies and endorsing the call that all Koreans are "cockroaches" that need to be exterminated - including Korean children - is nothing short of shameful and cowardly. Grubs, the whole 500 of them.

This is one of the problems of having a revisionist PM at the helm with complete control of the media. Unfortunately if you repeat lies often enough people start believing them. Abe, Aso, Ishihara, Hashimoto etc. are all extremists. The hard-right totally dominates politics in Japan and there is now no voice of reason here. Is there a single well known politician in this country now who is not from the far right?

Abe's twisted historical revisionism is reported as the truth in Japanese media. The result of this is obviously creeping nationalism. It's the same for the economy. It is almost impossible to find a news story that points out that making people poorer, creating inflation and raising taxes may not be so wonderful for the people after all. Japan's economy should be improving as it recovers from 3/11, but the only real growth is from borrowed money and the debt is ballooning. Our taxes are used to placate elderly voters and prop up right-wing construction companies that support the LDP. But there are no kids being born and no policies to support families and children.

The truth of Fukushima radiation levels is available on an episode of Vice Guide, but you won't find anything other than the government line in the Japanese media. There's little real news or opinion in the mainstream media here anymore and there hasn't been for the past 6 months. It's mainly editorials and fluff designed to support the government. Housewives believe the one-sided rubbish they are being told and blame their increasing poverty and insecurity on foreigners. It's no wonder a small (but growing) number of people are turning towards extreme politics, this is about all they hear now.

EVERY TIME you give China or the Koreas a millimetre, they end up taking a kilometre

Not the best metaphor, considering, well, Japan actually took from Korea and China many kilometers....

This is a good example of the stupid mentality of the Japanese.

No, it's an example of the stupid mentality of a handful of brainless women.

Yeah. Patriots don't mock other nations flags

I see Abe's wife Akie, who has a good head on her shoulders, didn't join these women.

Five hundred members nationwide?

Wow, that's almost as many as the Japanese Charlie Chaplin Appreciation Society.

.

They good part of this article is that these groups are a minority. The bad part is just how extreme right-wing they are, the possibility that their membership will grow, and that they could actually affect nation policy.

@lucabrasi and FullM3taL - Yeah the group is small but they aren't the only like-minded organisation.

You can't blame these ladies for doing what they are doing. Look at Japanese culture which has Japanese remaining silent and generally turning away from loud confrontation while apologizing over and over and over again.

@KnowBetter - Classic line for Japanese apologists, to a tee. I think you forgot the part about Japanese denials and efforts to revise/retract apologies by the ruling party of nationalists.

I have not heard any country allowing non citizens getting a right to vote.

You'd be surprised. Try googling 'non-citizen voting'. It isn't only the EU.

'I see the left wing have been busy on this rainy day give large amounts of thumbs down to any one who likes what these woman are doing.

Pah. It's nothing to do with whether you're left wing or not. It's a simple matter of a hereditary caste of corrupt, incompetent oligarchs using every trick at their disposal to keep people gullible and dupe them into accepting their whitewash of Japanese history. People can't be allowed to think that Japan's wartime leaders were useless bunglers who condoned unspeakable atrocities and led the country to devastation and disaster, because then they might start wondering if their descendants are any better and that just wouldn't do at all. A lot of right wing people are perfectly decent, reasonable and sensible. Don't be stupid enough to assume they all are, especially not in the case of the people running Japan.

'Scumbags indeed.'

I'm very suspicious of anyone who doesn't regard those those involved in a protest describing others as 'cockroaches' and using the word 'kill' as scumbags, regardless of who is being attacked. Anybody even associated with this kind of thing are poisoned. If you can't bring yourself to criticise those who harbour such ideas or use such language, you and those who know you have my sincere condolences.

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

Change the article 9 doesn't mean Japan will invade other nations. ON the contrary, it will make possible to Japan defend itself and also help to defend others who suffer invasion.

Why do you need a change in Article 9 unless you want to launch a pre-emptive strike or invaision against another country? There is currently nothing preventing Japan from building the biggest self defence force the world has ever seen. I would also rather the JSDF stay out of international conflicts around the world precisely because I care about Japan.

Sounds like Japan in 1905. And Germany in 1931. Right wing nationalist blaming china and Korea for their woes when it is the Japanese government who continue to stir the pot. Yeah there was the so called apology but an apology is only good if you admit the wrong and move forward. Yet that is not what these women and Japanese right wing politicians are doing. Rather to divert the attention away from the economy and the Japanese government debt, the right wing politicians continue to deny and try try to justify the women forced into sexual salvery, deny Nanking massacre and promote hatred toward minorities in Japan.

“Did Japan’s wartime heroes make Korean women sex slaves? This is a huge lie,”

Makes me nauseous. Yup, those were "heroes" that occupied Korea for decades. Can understand why they are upset.

Interesting article – and I certainly agree with 500 members, they are hardly representative of the average housewife – when they have as many Twitter followers as AKB, then I’d be worried.

Many of their far right views are both disturbing and inaccurate – and mask their real agenda – perhaps the most inaccurate is that Japan’s constitutional limits prohibit it from “defending” itself – rubbish. In fact, the Constitution allows Japan to employ force anytime it is attacked. What is does not allow, and what the far-right wing really wants, is for Japan to conduct offensive operations and attack and invade other countries – a return to the imperial Japan of the Great East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere.

In fact, it’s unfortunate that other countries don’t mirror Japan’s peace constitution prohibiting military invasion of other countries – several come to mind – China (Tibet), Russia (Georgia and Ukraine) and the US (Iraq)……….

These women have racial views. Japan has one of the most advanced airforce and navies and can easy protect itself from china and North Korea. Abe and right wing nuts wants to hyper china and North Korea threat so the average Japanese will support their racial agenda. There is no reason to reinterpret article 9 unless Japan wants the ability to invade and attack other nations. I hope the Japanese will not forget the last time Japan went on this destructive path. Millions of Japanese died. For what? For the glory of Japan? This time, Korea and china are heavily armed. No country will win in a war!!! all sides will face destruction.

Japan could have lead east Asia and truly been the leader but with right wing nuts who continue to deny history and continue to open old wounds, how can Japan lead?

Also, it's the height of hypocrisy that some would down play this by saying it's only a small fraction of the population of Japan.

Yet, these same people then use that small percentage of right wingers and true xenophobes and racists of Japan, and apply it to the entire nation of Japan, labeling all of Japan as being ignorant xenophobic hate mongers.

My sister in law who has bi polar has been hooked into this crap by a group of these morons. It really pisses me off that these idiots get any attention. There are a small number, might be better to ignore them and they may just go away. My niece started parroting what her mother says and was almost removed from high school as she was bad mouthing Chinese in one of her lessons and two students with a Chinese background where in the lesson and obviously upset reported the matter. Hard to believe this has wormed its way into my Japanese family and it is really upsetting.

@Storm

So you support fascists? Good luck with that when they come for you....

ProudJapanese: "Foreigner which support this group must careful."

Yeah, but those people are also blind and actually THINK they are Japanese... at least at heart, so they'll meekly accept it and even praise the people targeting them!

hidingout: "How do you know what they know and what they don't know?"

Toshiko's right on this one. These women are brain-washed fools.

"Seems like your comments are always focused on the way Japan was decades ago"

Ironic, given what these women believe and hope for.

Neuroscience is progressing and making some very interesting discoveries. Maybe one day we can nail down the malfunction that causes this type of behaviour. Until then, perhaps they deserve some sympathy. These people are not well.

"These 'patriotic' wives should count their lucky stars they are around; the last batch of such wives lost many husbands, sons, or even died themselves."

This is a very valid point. History sometimes strangely repeats itself in different time but same space mixed with same old sentiments.

70 years ago, Japan presented the world with similar kind of 'patriotic' wives/girls, they were captivated and collaborating victims of brainwashing propaganda used by Japan’s govt. to support and inflame the imperial Army to commit atrocities to the humility. Anyone still remembers those pictures - ‘proud and patriotic’ wives to see off their husbands on kamikaze missions ? what happened to those zesty wives?

Hopefully, Japanese general public would wise up 70 years later, won’t allow same tragic outcomes to reiterate.

The stupidity & ignorance of the women in this blurb is truly astounding!

While their followers are few my bet is there are more who think like them then most here think, hiding behind the tatemae thingy!

As the economy here gets worse we will hear more of this non-sense. Doesn't bode well for the future in all likely hood

Japan could be WAY out front leading Asia if only it has the stones to face up to its history, Japan is doing itself in & is too blind to realize it sadly

Shouldn't these ladies be having babies and not talking? Isn't that the tradionional Japanese Culture? Guess they took a break from eating whale blubber, to talk blubber.

@ProudJapanese

Great Point! These right wing groups will never be satisfied and will always find someone to hate.

These 'patriotic' wives should count their lucky stars they are around; the last batch of such wives lost many husbands, sons, or even died themselves.

So will these women be the first in line to offer up their lives or their kids' when it comes to Japan going to war? Doubt it. Most of their kid probably don't know how to boil water let alone wash their underpants.

Patriotic. Wives.

Two words, a myriad self-limiting beliefs.

Brainless women. I doubt they'd be tooting the same horn if they or their daughters were forced into brothels and raped endless times by foreign soldiers. These are the kind of women who want Japan to suffer another war and never learn about the folly of it until, after waiting for husbands and sons who will never come home, cry about being victims. Some people never truly learn until they actually get what they asked for.

70 years of tatemae finally coming to an end, the velvet glove peeled back to reveal the iron fist lurking in the shadows.

These women are just trying to put a softer face on fascism. The problem with scumbags like these is that they need scapegoats to make themselves feel better. They need to believe they're the victims. Their narrow-mindedness is especially betrayed with this quote (with regard to China):

“Why should Japan keep being singled out?” Soyokaze member Harue Sato asked Reuters in an interview.

If scumbags like these had a wider view of the world - or even just of Asia - they would see that Japan is not the only country having trouble with China, but for them it's always me, me, me.

lucabrasi: "Agreed, we shouldn't "forget" the past, but there comes a point where you have to let it go. Look what England did to Ireland... but both nations have a sensible, mature relationship nowadays."

Agree with you 100% on the need to move forward while not forgetting, but the problem is these women shouting for Koreans to be killed and the pacifist constitution amended really doesn't seem to be a step forward, and definitely not a means for China or Korea to 'let it go'.

ROK and PRC are fully deserving of any condemnation they may receive from Japanese citizens. They have brought it on themselves with their constant whining and their inability to move into the 21st century. Totally support these ladies.

@hidingout - So actions of ROK and PRC governments are worthy of condemnation, but not the actions of the Japanese government?

Time and time again, when specific Japanese politicians come out with outrageous remarks you condemn only those individuals, but when Korean politicians do the same you think it's fair game to tar 50 million South Koreans with the same brush.

Yeah I get that you've been in Japan for several decades and you dearly love Japan with all your heart, but try a bit of objectivity.

Ossan

except for China and North Korea which harps on WWII

You, above all else here, remind us that South Korea bitches and moaned just as much, if not more...

'I see the left wing have been busy on this rainy day give large amounts of thumbs down to any one who likes what these woman are doing.

I support these woman and think its great they have a voice, and opinion and are not afraid to show it.'

So you support these women when they join protests with people calling Koreans 'cockroaches' and shout 'kill Koreans'?

@smith

Agree 100 per cent : )

“Why should Japan keep being singled out?”

Too bad if they can't accept history that Japan was the only Asian country that was a colonial power, the first developed country (and the only for several decades), the only member of the G8, the list goes on. I wish Japan was another mediocre Asian country, that way the nationalists would not have a fuel for their arrogance. I

“Anger at Seoul’s demands spilled over into demonstrations last year in a Tokyo district home to many Korean restaurants and shops, in which some protesters called Koreans “cockroaches” and shouted “kill Koreans”. Several members of the women’s groups said they took part.”

If members of these nationalistic women’s groups actively participate hatred demonstrations, then their advocacy would be a big question, let alone their motivations.

That being said, what these groups are doing do reflect the nature and undercurrent of Japan’s political landscapes where politicians such as Toru Hashimoto, Shintaro ishihara, Shinzo abe, Nariaki Nakayama are ble to dominate.

It's really sad just to think about it that Japan's 70 years of peace might go down the drain by the acts of a bunch of blinded and delusional right wingers.

The only thing that will end the denials and revisionism of the Japanese ultra-conservatives is a rapidly declining population that will turn Japan into uninhabited islands, probably radioactive and only fit for robots.

Soyokaze, with some 500 members nationwide, was founded in 2009 and Hanadokei, which boasts about 840 members including 300 men, sprang up in the following year.

Wouldn't surprise me if Abe and his comrades came up with the idea to start a grassroots group of concerned conservative women which he could give talking points to promote his pet-peeves during his first short-stint as PM back in 2007 since the LDP has never been very popular with females voters. This might explain the formation of both Soyokaze and Hanadokei. Like to see how much they really know about the issues and if any of them are can recite any of the Japanese Constitution or show any in-depth knowledge on any of the issues they have such passion about. Just like their conservative minded brethren across the pond, most of the tea partiers tend to be very loud but extremely shallow on knowledge of the very issues they so strongly support and merely mimic the talking-points of zealots they follow like blind sheep.

the women are disappointed at what they see as his bowing to diplomatic pressure on some issues. And they are less pleased with his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

This is one can-of-worms Juminto you should be very wary of, an angry group of conservative women with a lot of time on their hands. If their numbers grow and doubts raised about your commitment to their causes, you're likely to see more dissent amongst their ranks and then their anger may be redirected toward you. Angry ladies aren't to be scoffed at especially if they have all day to devise ways to ruin your parade. If you have to step so far to the right to appease fringe elements such as these and the Yasakuni kids, you may just find your less conservative base abandon you as the Republican Party in the US is finding out the hardway and voted right out of office!

Good luck though and hope you're into tea parties!

So much for peace-loving Japan.

I had to let one of my best Japanese friends go after she turned into one of these rabid diatribe-spouting females. It started when she experienced some personal problems and then joined a nationalistic net forum. I was completely blindsided by the change in her. Every single conversation ended up with her unleashing a stream of really bizarre and illogical invective against China, Korea, and zainichi (who according to her are responsible for almost all crime in Japan). It didn't matter if we were talking about the weather or the price of carrots or whatever, she would suddenly start ranting and raving about "them" and how despicable and sneaky they all were.

One on occasion, we hopped into a taxi to go into town for dinner. Suddenly she curtly ordered the driver to stop, and told him to let us out of the cab. "What was that all about?" "He's a Korean," she spat angrily. "I'm not giving any money to one of them!" Don't know how she knew his ethnic background, I'm pretty sure he didn't mention it to us.

Lots of stuff like that. I'd like to think that she's an exception, but now, after reading this article, I'm not so sure.

Thank you M3M3M3 and good evening.

I have deja vu. Maybe you too

'However, if those words were shouted in the direction of the government of ROK, or in the direction of the apology deniers then I can't really blame the protesters for letting their emotions get the better of them. What kind of person goes on for decades spitting in the face of someone offering them not one, not two, not three, but dozens on apologies? What kind of government thinks nothing of embarking on a world tour of lies? I think perhaps you'd better save some of your "sincere condolences" for those pitiful folks.'

Evasive and quite slimy. You should condemn anyone without reservation for using 'kill Koreans' no matter how strongly they feel on any issue. Screaming filthy threats at Koreans living in Japan is foul and what do these poisonous idiots know about the opinions of those Koreans living in that area? Their stupidity in judging a whole people is pure ignorance. The time-worn nationalistic rubbish of 'I don't know any Japanese who would do that' isn't worthy of any argument. Check out the footage on YouTube for a taste of what these marches are all about - it's very unsanitary. The description of 'kill Koreans' as 'nasty thing to do' is a very suspicious understatement. Call it what it is - vicious hate speech which should have seen the perpetrators prosecuted.

500 what a joke.

Asia would be so much better off if the Big 3 countries -- Japan, China, SK -- would all just put recent history to rest and each stop trying to twist their version of it so they can feel better about themsleves.

Thank you, Jersyboy. I agree with you

I also believe each country has the key to creat enviornments that support each other. Sustainable neighborhoods are the building blocks of a sustainable communty here. Unfortunately, blaming others for one reason or the other is common act in which we live. we may not aware, but it is true that we all resposible for whatever that happens.

I hope I could read a beautiful article like 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors' on 'Japan Today' soon.

@ Serrano at Jun. 22, 2014 - 11:33AM JST I see Abe's wife Akie, who has a good head on her shoulders, didn't join these women.

Politics is just a game that you play. Akie only plays when it benefits her husbands agenda in this case it doesn't because of the racial overtones by these women it would make her look two faced.

It boggles my mind why these Japanese women don't read at all. Sorry, they can't read English so they can't get the full (an accurate) historical account of what REALLY went on in history. I'm afraid what one reads in Japanese in Japan just doesn't cut it in accuracy terms...

And beguiling as it is, the Jwomen are just beginning to show the power of a roaring lion.

roaring lion? wow..sounds frightening,,hope that neighboring countries will be very scared of that!....b.t.w these women really fill Abe with big smile and satisfaction. they must be very tired after the week-long filled with family works and other commitments..

Foreigner which support this group must careful. If US do something which upset this group. You will be next target even if say I love Japan.

What sort of civilized country allows people to shout "Kill Koreans" on the streets?

This reminds me of the aftermath of the Kanto Earthquake when people accused Koreans of poisoning the water and then were brutally killed en masse.

You must be very proud of yourselves, Japanese people.

hidingout, it's not just a problem of a few men in black vans shouting stuff out though. It's also young women and housewives who have been moved to hatred by their media. They believe in the revised versions of history being handed down to them by men like Abe, Aso, Hashimoto and Ishihara. They scream anti-Korean propaganda whilst surrounded by police who will arrest a journalist for reporting a true story about Fukushima, but who will do nothing about hate speeches crying out for the massacre of the zainichi. You can carry on thinking people who object to these types of groups are left-wing commies if you like, but most normal people consider these kinds of scenes unacceptable and totally disgraceful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pE2ms1P56I

You say you don't support this kind of conduct in anyway, but you repeatedly post in support of people who attend such rallies and approve this kind of conduct. Those who find this unacceptable are not exclusively left-wing Japan haters I assure you.

StormR:

I see the left wing have been busy on this rainy day give large amounts of thumbs down to any one who likes what these woman are doing.

I'm proud to say I was one of those to give a thumbs down!

The difference between Filipinos and it's neighbors is, We Filipinos do not want to see the late generation of Japanese punished because of WORLD WAR TWO. We simply move a head and look at our backs with cautions! We forgive the Japanese and became friends. If the world shall continue to look at the Japanese as an enemy then, we are building mistrust and in that way, there will be again and again atrocities! War will just wasting lives because of ideology and mistrusts but if we knew how to talk and cooperate and let other people see the importance of friendship and cooperation, we were building and restore security between enemies and friends! We knew that many countries suffered from the outbreak of the world war! Millions of Filipinos died also,but look how we embrace the Japanese and make friendship again? Just forget the past and move on!

Chao Lin: "Just forget the past and move on!"

You don't 'move on' if you forget the past, you move back, and that's what these women want to do, and you canNOT blame other nations for this mentality. These women want a return to the 'glory days' when Japan was colonizing nations, including your own. The women should rename their group from Hanadokei to 'Hanaboke'.

@hidingout:@ toshiko These women don't know how they were defined in Japan's male oriented society. How do you know what they know and what they don't know? Seems like your comments are always focused on the way Japan was decades ago. Maybe visit once in awhile and learn something

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I wrote 2007 and 2008 comments by politicians still very influential in LDP national scenes. Then Masuzoe who is current Tokyo Governor. It is OK to bash me. I am used to be bashed by people who are confused 21st century is 20th century

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It seems that LDP and DPJ will be replaced in political frontline by Domestic Opposition Party, Hanadokei, and Soyokaze sooner or later. Which one will recruit Ayuka?

Most of these women post anonymously on the internet, and many of them fabricate innuendo and rumors designed to make Japanese seem the victim, in order to arouse readers. I've been reading stuff on some of their sites and have yet to see an intelligent remark. Mostly they're just posting hysterical rants. Fully understanding this, the Japanese government ignores them, the male politicians ignore them and -- until Ms. Sieg wrote this piece -- foreign reporters have largely ignored them. It's a good guideline to follow.

I think Hanadokei and Soyokaze wii be united to create Patricotic Wives Party (PWP) and will be on national election. Maybe Mrs Abe' Domestic Opposition Party (DOP) will do same? Wives and wives. Will they include single women like Ayaka?

"while apologizing over and over and over again. "

Yeah, don't you get tired of Hashimoto and Abe and Ishihara and the media always going overboard with remorse about the suffering Japan inflicted in WW2. They really should stop this grovelling. After all the Roman empire had comfort women stations in Gaul too right? And what about Conan the Barbarian? All this sorry, sorry, sorry.

However there is something slightly ironic about a bunch of loud, screaming women yelling angrily at everyone about the danger of ...women retaining their surnames? What next? Beating up salarymen because the Hanadokei brigade thinks OLs should go back to making tea and retiring when they get married? Can't wait for the ultra-conservative male groups clashing with them and telling them to get back in the kitchen!

Really, I think some people just aren't happy.

Yeah Mitch, I get that you've been the victim of several decades of the indoctrination that is the ROK education system. and that you believe what you were taught with all your heart, but please try to show a bit of objectivity.

@hidingout - I have, on numerous occasions, been critical of SK's extreme position on Japan. In fact I even remember you applauded some of my previous posts (when it suited you). So I have shown 'a bit of objectivity' several times. The ball's in your court.

I realize it has become "legend" among pro-ROK posters here that the words "kill the cockroaches" were shouted. I suspect if these words were actually shouted, the shouting was being done by a few of the black truck folks and was in no way representative of the thoughts of most people participating in the protest.

Don't just suspect it. Believe it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pE2ms1P56I . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYdmGIEphB8 . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMl8iqZkbi0.

That depends on how tenuous the "association" is. For example, is everyone who attended the soccer match last year "poisoned" because a handful of idiots held up a "Japanese only" banner? Let me be clear. If those words were actually shouted (and I know of no one who would ever say such things in public), and if they were directed at individual Koreans (particularly those living in Japan), its a nasty thing to do, and I do not support that in any way.

Again, Japanese behaving badly = 'few bad apples, no biggie'. Pity that logic applies to Japan only in your thinking. Some objectivity perhaps?

They are racist. Plain. Simple. Perhaps Lawrence of Arabia said it best -- "So long as they fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people..." This is tribalism on a national scale.

If these loudmouth women want to protect Japan and their children why don't they join the SDF? A few months of crawling around in the dirt being shouted out would soon sort them out.

@SerranoJUN. 22, 2014 - 11:33AM JST I see Abe's wife Akie, who has a good head on her shoulders, didn't join these women.

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You are right. She has her own Domestic Opposition Party.

Pretty soon, democracy enjoying Japanese women will destroy LDP and DPJ. Third Party? Single Womens Party. So, PWP, DOP and SWP. It took 69 years to practice Freedom of Speech.

How much more apologies do they want.

How about One genuine one??

It hit me that Japan's apologies on this are of the Moe Howard variety, as in the event when Moe did some stupid thing that ended up hurting one of his partners:

Moe: "Gee, I'm sorry kid... Where does it hurt?"

Larry: (angrily): "Why don't you look where you're going??!"

Moe: (slapping Larry even harder) "I said I was sorry!!"

What makes you think that the 1993 Kono Statement is NOT a genuine apology?

Kono personally might have been sincere, but it is obvious that the spiritual offspring of the perpetrators rejects it.

Especially now that it has been disclosed that South Korea had input on the wording?

That would only apply to Kono.

Maybe these women have nothing to do at home. They should find a real job outside the house instead of supplementing their income with this little handout from Abe to voice their feign displeasure. “Patriotic Wives,” I think not. No caring women in Japan really want to see their husbands or sons go to war and die so that Japan can be “normal” again. Yes, they are “pathetic wives.”

@flowers: Maybe these women have nothing to do at home. They should find a real job outside the house instead of supplementing their income with this little handout from Abe to voice their feign displeasure. “Patriotic Wives,” I think not. No caring women in Japan really want to see their husbands or sons go to war and die so that Japan can be “normal” again. Yes, they are “pathetic wives.

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So PWP is not initials of Patriotic Women's Party". Maybe they support Abe to get management jobs that Abe promised?

Japan's far-rightists claim that there is no documentary evidence proving that the Japanese military forced Korean women into sexual slavery also contradicts the truth. First of all, such an argument amounts to ignoring the results of the lengthy study conducted by the Japanese government. It’s up to Japan to retract the Kono statement but it’s obvious that such an act would mean Japan's total diplomatic failure.

Really? Please tell is when the Japanese Government retracted the Kono Statement. Or revise it?

That is not the relevant question. You asked what makes me think it is not genuine. What makes me think it is not genuine are the attitudes of so many Japanese in powerful positions who reject it with thought, word and deed.

But retracting or revising it would give the game away, and they aren't quite ready for that yet.

Here's an example of something genuine, by contrast: Back in the early 1980s, when it came time for the U.S. government to reconcile with the Japanese Americans who were wronged in WWII, there were hearings and debates held as a result of their petitions. I remember very well a small fringe of people who thought locking them up was right, and that no reparations were due. But the nation as a whole overwhelmingly admitted a wrong was done, deeply apologized, and assigned compensation to be paid. Our history books tell the truth about that time, and there is no controversy about it.

These women "patriots" simply want to keep tensions high with South Korea and China in order to foster a more belligerent and militaristic Japan. They advocate a phony type of pride where so many Japanese are gracious and humble. To the extent that any Japanese should become belligerent, it should be towards these delusional harpies.

Really? Please tell is when the Japanese Government retracted the Kono Statement. Or revise it? Or cancel it? Or replace it? Or supercede it?

That's not the issue. What's clear is that the people in power and their supporters cannot abide the Kono Statement; they can't retract, revise, cancel, replace or supercede it, but what purpose do you suppose this "review" serves other than to undermine it?

Why should SK align with Japan when right wing politicians continue their bashing of Korea. Second, China is Korea's largest export market and Japanese and Korean companies are fierce competitors. What does Japan offer Korea?

Soyokaze added with this article...., why does that eerily remind me of The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (anime).

The passive allegiance of patriotism, forced on the offensive, becomes nationalism. Patriotism seems not enough when the country is being redefined from the outside.

@GalapagosnoGairaishuJUN. 22, 2014 - 09:52PM JST Most of these women post anonymously on the internet, and many of them fabricate innuendo and rumors designed to make Japanese seem the victim, in order to arouse readers. I've been reading stuff on some of their sites and have yet to see an intelligent remark. Mostly they're just posting hysterical rants. Fully understanding this, the Japanese government ignores them, the male politicians ignore them and -- until Ms. Sieg wrote this piece -- foreign reporters have largely ignored them. It's a good guideline to follow.

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Please write their internet address so that I can read what they write. I wouldn't be arose, I promise.

Any war that may occur in Asia will undoubtedly not be started by Japan.

Right, just as Japan was forced to attack the United States in 1941. Always playing the innocent victim with nothing to apologize for, Japan's nationalists continue to whip up self-righteous, delusional fervor.

“But after others kept telling us over and over that we are wrong ... we have passed the limit of our endurance.”

But you [Japanese nationalists] were wrong. And the moment you fully and completely admit it to yourselves, the less you will mind hearing if from others. The core right-wing attitude is this: "If you won't just forget all about the wrongs we caused you, we're not going to apologize."

Supporters of China, a one party authoritarian dictatorship that subjugates it's own people

I support the Chinese people, not their government, because of people like Xu Zhiyong. (See Chinachange.org.)

His recent statement -- made public by his supporters -- is an eloquent expression of the democratic ideal that rivals anything written in the Western world. Someday, perhaps, a Japanese can achieve the same. But for now, they are regressing -- with Abe as Exhibit A -- and who knows how far they will continue to sink as China continues to rise.

May 26, 2014

ASAHi POLL: 67% deem Abe's plan to amend Article 9 of Constitution as 'improper'

ASAHI POLL: 67% deem Abe's plan to reinterpret Constitution as 'improper'

http://ajw.asahi.com

Nearly 70 percent of voters believe Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is resorting to "improper" procedures in his drive to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense, an Asahi Shimbun survey showed.

These groups want to scrap current constitution.

Sink to what? To throw away 70 years of a democratic free way of life and become an authoritarian country hell bent on military and territorial expansion?

The forces within Japan are setting it on a course that is hellbent on military expansion. Will they be able to scrap key elements of the constitution, and just how democratic will that process be? Time will tell, but the average Japanese has so little care for or interest in government, so their democratic system will continue to sink into irrelevance.

the mistaken belief that economic prosperity would give rise to an increased middle class which in turn would bring about a shift towards more democratic ideals.

The democratic ideals are there in China, and they are increasingly being adopted and discussed by ordinary people -- which is where true democracy originates, and usually out of oppression. China has come a long way and it would be extreme folly to bet against it. Especially with minds working within it like Xu Zhiyong.

Unfortunately, today's Japan has practically nothing to teach China politically, aside from the power of a negative example. It may not be too long before China's democratic ideals -- which their autocratic government can only hold back forever -- will inspire ordinary Japanese to reexamine their nominal democracy..

@ Simon

So you think it's excusable to say Korean politicians and apology deniers should be killed?

I didn't say "excusable". I know you can read. I said understandable given human nature.

You said you can't blame them. I think that's a bit different from "understandable." A lot of vile, inexcusable things are understandable.

yabitsJun. 23, 2014 - 09:17AM JST "Sink to what? To throw away 70 years of a democratic free way of life and become an authoritarian country hell bent on military and territorial expansion?" The forces within Japan are setting it on a course that is hellbent on military expansion

This is 2014 not 1937. Best check your calendar,

So at this point the aggregate number of people in both groups is something like 1300 in total. Why is this newsworthy? The only significance to this story is the significance the press places it on it...And that is the worrying thing. The press seems quite happy to be complicit in the active promotion of these kinds of people by giving them a nationwide platform from which to speak, thereby ensuring the growth of this movement. The press is in Japan is complicit in helping ultra-right wing conservatism flourish. Take the case of Nippon Ishin-no-kai. Granted it was formed by the ex-governor of Tokyo and the mayor of Osaka, but the amount of press coverage it received was out of all proportion to the portion of the vote it garnered in the latter three quarters of its existence. If Japan's spin doctors want something to spin on...an extended middle digit is a more appropriate alternative.

“Even inside the LDP there are people who want to denigrate Japan and are acting on behalf of the interests of China and South Korea,” said Hanadokei leader Makiko Oka. “I support Abe, but I can’t really support the LDP.”

One positive thing to take away from this is even they aren't pleased with the way LDP managing the politics. See, LDP, nobody likes you. Get off the stage.

klausdorthJun. 22, 2014 - 09:40AM JST

"globalwatcher"

wrong answer. Look at Europe for example.

In most European countries people are allowed to participate in local elections, even if they are "non-European-citizens". And that's really I am asking for over here in Japan: I am paying my taxes, am a permanent resident, so I also want to be able to have my voting right at least at community level

cleoJun. 22, 2014 - 09:44AM JST

I have not heard any country allowing non citizens getting a right to vote.

You'd be surprised. Try googling 'non-citizen voting'. It isn't only the EU.

Thank you for correcting me. It is an eye opener for me. I will google it. I wonder if non-citizen only vote for EU issue.

It still sounds like a small group, but I hope that they don't increase. I wonder if they would heckle Ayako Shiomura as well. Honestly...

@NeoJamalJUN. 23, 2014 - 03:26AM JST “Why should Japan keep being singled out?” Too bad if they can't accept history that Japan was the only Asian country that was a colonial power, the first developed country (and the only for several decades), the only member of the G8, the list goes on. I wish Japan was another mediocre Asian country, that way the nationalists would not have a fuel for their arrogance.

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Well analyzed. I

Are they real patriotic? They mocked South Korean Flag:

Fact is: Today, Japan and South Korea are major trading partners, and many students, tourists, entertainers, and business people travel between the two countries,

However, if those words were shouted in the direction of the government of ROK, or in the direction of the apology deniers then I can't really blame the protesters for letting their emotions get the better of them.

So you think it's excusable to say Korean politicians and apology deniers should be killed? I think anyone who says that kind of thing in public is an imbecile, personally.

With Commie China and SK attitudes towards Japan. How much more apologies do they want. S Korean aligning with arrogant Commies is disgusting.......

So Japan had it's fascist government and military destroyed almost 70 years ago they have apologized to everyone for everything, became a model; democratic peace loving country, apologized and signed peace treaties with South Korea in 1965 and China in 1972 and is look upon favorably by nearly all nations on this planet except for China and North Korea which harps on WWII issues continuously, making anti-Japan sentiment an official political and diplomatic tool. I am not at all surprised that this kind of reverse reaction would occur as a result of China and South Korea's policies .

Ossan -- for once we agree. Asia would be so much better off if the Big 3 countries -- Japan, China, SK -- would all just put recent history to rest and each stop trying to twist their version of it so they can feel better about themsleves.

“The Japanese constitution that cannot protect our children’s future is more dangerous than nuclear power,”

This is a good example of the stupid mentality of the Japanese. Their constitution gives them every right to protect their children's future. It doesn't, however, give them the right to attack without provocation, which is how it should be. The propaganda war between Japan, China and Korea is so pathetic it make a me sick. Japan keeps crying victim, which they are. They are a victim of their own ruthlessness in the first of of the last century. They are also a victim of their right-winged politicians that keep playing down the atrocities committed by Japan. Korea and China are just reacting (very poorly) to the way Japan is downplaying the events. If a person kills an innocent he is given a life sentence in jail. Japan killed millions of innocent people and their jail term should suit the crime. 70 years is no where near enough to atone for the millions of lives their imperial rule took.

More left wing fear mongering. Any war that may occur in Asia will undoubtedly not be started by Japan. Are you mocking women who may have to send their children to war to defend themselves from outside aggression. Not to mention defend you in the process?

I asked if they would be so happy to send their kids to war. There is nothing fear mongering about that question. I am mocking silly women who have grown up living the life of princesses who know nothing about war and suffering who are so foolish they can't see the trees through the forest.

Defend me? Ha! I can promise you that I am my family would be out of here on the first plane at the hint of war. With the way the public and government is going, I wouldn't doubt I would be locked up for being a foreigner.

yabitsJun. 25, 2014 - 04:36AM JST "What makes you think that the 1993 Kono Statement is NOT a genuine apology?"

Kono personally might have been sincere, but it is obvious that the spiritual offspring of the perpetrators rejects it.

Really? Please tell is when the Japanese Government retracted the Kono Statement. Or revise it? Or cancel it? Or replace it? Or supercede it?

I think these women are a bit confused with the definition of being patriotic.

But, instead of having to stay home and cook and clean, they get to speak on a public podium. Good for the men that allowed that to happen.

Wait... hmm... Good for them anyways.

Why should SK align with Japan when right wing politicians continue their bashing of Korea.

Sauce for the goose. Why should Japan align with ROK when ALL their politicians continually bash Japan?

Oh, I know.

China.

yabitsJun. 23, 2014 - 03:53AM JST Someday, perhaps, a Japanese can achieve the same. But for now, they are regressing -- with Abe as Exhibit A -- >and who knows how far they will continue to sink as China continues to rise.

Sink to what? To throw away 70 years of a democratic free way of life and become an authoritarian country hell bent on military and territorial expansion? I don't think sooooo And China "rise" was fueled by the west in the mistaken belief that economic prosperity would give rise to an increased middle class which in turn would bring about a shift towards more democratic ideals. Guess what??? Now China's low labor cost has peaked and is waning, nobody is buying their "Peaceful Rise" lie anymore. How is it going to "keep rising"?

@ mitch

So I have shown 'a bit of objectivity' several times. The ball's in your court.

I don't believe I have a problem with objectivity. But I guess that's for you to decide. I have no problem criticizing Japan when I think they are in the wrong. For example, on this site I'm on record with the opinion that Japan should give up the issue of citizens kidnapped by DPRK. There is almost zero chance that any further resolution will be achieved, and going on and on about it just makes Japan look silly imo. I am also on record saying that Japan should probably give up the idea of Takeshima. Given that effective control is in the hands of ROK (and they will obviously never give it up or agree to any international mediation) its a waste of time to keep complaining about it. In addition, the Takeshima situation is similar to the issue with the Senkaku islands, except with Japan being in the position of PRC. Japan runs the risk of looking hypocritical in their comments regarding Takeshima given their stance on the Senkakus. I have also condemned the government's response to the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Don't just suspect it. Believe it.

Thank you for those links. The first two I have already seen (probably when you posted them in the past). Those people are ridiculous - in the strict sense of the word. You castigate me for what you call a "few bad apples" thinking, and then post a video like that? Really? That video is like the very definition of a few bad apples. Such extremists can be found in any country. Any country you care to mention. And nobody takes them seriously. It goes without saying that I do not agree with anything they said. The third video is maybe a bit more disturbing because the people appear to be fairly normal, and a lot of passersby appear to walk up to trample to ROK flag.

I must admit I was hoping for a video in which the ladies of Hanadokei could be seen shouting about cockroaches etc, since that was the accusation leveled in this article. But apparently no such video exists - rendering a lot of the comments above null and void.

Regarding all those videos in general, I can say that the actions are bad. The first two certainly rise to the level of hate speech in that they are clearly directed at Koreans living in Japan, and should be condemned by everyone. The last one .. meh. I've seen stuff just as bad in videos from ROK. I think its genjuro who frequently posts a video showing the "top ten" anti-Japan protests in ROK - just as bad, if not worse. Furthermore, have you looked at the comments below the video links you posted? Are you happy with the comments from the Korean contributers? I guess it only proves that there are nutters everywhere. Finally, I think that the point I attempted to make earlier about how Japan protects ROK offices in Japan, compared to how little ROK does to protect Japanese offices in their country, is a valid one.

@ hampton

You say you don't support this kind of conduct in anyway, but you repeatedly post in support of people who attend such rallies and approve this kind of conduct.

I challenge you to find any post of mine that supports the screaming yankee in the video you and mitch linked. I have never supported discrimination against individual Koreans living in Japan. I certainly do support the use of the strongest possible terms when describing the cowardly behavior of the government of ROK. Is that distinction now clear for you?

@ Jimizo

Your comments add nothing to the conversation and only accuse me of things I have already stated again and again are unacceptable. Please try to refrain from posting such slanderous comments in the future. I stand by my post calling the government of ROK scumbags.

@ Knobby

They are racist. Plain. Simple.

Why yes they are. And they are faced with racists of equal measure in the ROK and PRC. Where is your outrage for the "silly people" on the other side of the fence?

@ Simon

So you think it's excusable to say Korean politicians and apology deniers should be killed?

I didn't say "excusable". I know you can read. I said understandable given human nature. I wouldn't personally go that far. But I think most venom toward the government of ROK is understandable. That doesn't make it right, but not everyone can be as perfect as you. Personally I like the insults tendered by the government of DPRK toward the ROK government. Very imaginative. My favorite was the one likening ROK President to a "frog croaking in a well".

@ tmarie

I asked if they would be so happy to send their kids to war. There is nothing fear mongering about that question.

My apologies. I didn't realize you would ask such a dumb question sincerely.

I am mocking silly women who have grown up living the life of princesses who know nothing about war and suffering who are so foolish they can't see the trees through the forest.

Princess blah blah blah princess blah blah blah. Surely you can do better?

I can promise you that I am my family would be out of here on the first plane at the hint of war.

Interesting that you are allowed to admit that, but if I post it, the comment just gets scrubbed.

With the way the public and government is going, I wouldn't doubt I would be locked up for being a foreigner.

And .. we are back to the left wing fear mongering that prompted my response to you in the first place.

yabitsJun. 25, 2014 - 01:58AM JST "How much more apologies do they want". How about One genuine one??

What makes you think that the 1993 Kono Statement is NOT a genuine apology? Especially now that it has been disclosed that South Korea had input on the wording?

Here are the Japanese Government, which announced the fact.

War crimes committed by IJA did not exist.

Press Conference by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga (June 20, 2014 (PM))

http://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/eng/prg/prg3814.html?t=04&a=1

Supporters of China, a one party authoritarian dictatorship that subjugates it's own people and threatens other Asian countries, and supporters of South Korea, a country that has whitewashed it's role in WWII pretending to be a "victim" and preaches anti-Japan sentiment from grade school levels, are the biggest hypocrites on this thread condemning an expected reaction to those countries' actions.

lucabrasi, I support these woman having a voice and an opinion and demonstrating that, I think more Japanese should do that.

FullM3taLJun. 22, 2014 - 07:08AM JST

Even though I'm not a permanent resident here (just a long term one), I have accepted the fact, as I suspect many other foreigners in Japan have, that we will never be accepted by the Japanese as one of them. No matter what we do, we will always be a Gaijin. Voting rights? That's so far down the list it's hard to see it ever become a reality here.

If you become a Japanese citizen, then you are allowed to vote.

In US, permanent resident card holders are not granted to vote. They have to become citizens first to vote. I have not heard any country allowing non citizens getting a right to vote.

I'm very suspicious of anyone who doesn't regard those those involved in a protest describing others as 'cockroaches' and using the word 'kill' as scumbags, regardless of who is being attacked.

According to JT (excuse me if I don't place a lot of trust in their fact checking) "some" of the women participated in anti-ROK demonstrations last year. Since I was not personally at those demonstrations I do not know what was shouted. I realize it has become "legend" among pro-ROK posters here that the words "kill the cockroaches" were shouted. I suspect if these words were actually shouted, the shouting was being done by a few of the black truck folks and was in no way representative of the thoughts of most people participating in the protest.

Anybody even associated with this kind of thing are poisoned. If you can't bring yourself to criticise those who harbour such ideas or use such language, you and those who know you have my sincere condolences.

That depends on how tenuous the "association" is. For example, is everyone who attended the soccer match last year "poisoned" because a handful of idiots held up a "Japanese only" banner? Let me be clear. If those words were actually shouted (and I know of no one who would ever say such things in public), and if they were directed at individual Koreans (particularly those living in Japan), its a nasty thing to do, and I do not support that in any way.

However, if those words were shouted in the direction of the government of ROK, or in the direction of the apology deniers then I can't really blame the protesters for letting their emotions get the better of them. What kind of person goes on for decades spitting in the face of someone offering them not one, not two, not three, but dozens on apologies? What kind of government thinks nothing of embarking on a world tour of lies? I think perhaps you'd better save some of your "sincere condolences" for those pitiful folks.

@smith

Agreed, we shouldn't "forget" the past, but there comes a point where you have to let it go. Look what England did to Ireland... but both nations have a sensible, mature relationship nowadays.

And at my school, certainly, there was never any mention of the horrors committed by the English, just propaganda regarding the wonders of Empire....

“But after others kept telling us over and over that we are wrong ... we have passed the limit of our endurance.”

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Look for the number of Japanese people who feel this way to keep on rising. ROK and PRC are fully deserving of any condemnation they may receive from Japanese citizens. They have brought it on themselves with their constant whining and their inability to move into the 21st century. Totally support these ladies.

@ toshiko

These women don't know how they were defined in Japan's male oriented society.

How do you know what they know and what they don't know? Seems like your comments are always focused on the way Japan was decades ago. Maybe visit once in awhile and learn something.

Yeah I get that you've been in Japan for several decades and you dearly love Japan with all your heart, but try a bit of objectivity.

Yeah Mitch, I get that you've been the victim of several decades of the indoctrination that is the ROK education system. and that you believe what you were taught with all your heart, but please try to show a bit of objectivity.

I wrote 2007 and 2008 comments by politicians still very influential in LDP national scenes. Then Masuzoe who is current Tokyo Governor. It is OK to bash me. I am used to be bashed by people who are confused 21st century is 20th century

Nice try toshiko. You wrote a slogan from 100 years ago suggesting that Japanese worship the Emperor and that the country is in danger of slipping into the situation where 13 year old boys are conscripted into military service. And then you insulted these fine women by suggesting that you are the only woman aware of sexist tendencies among certain j-pols. You said, and I quote, "these women don't know". Again I ask, how do you know what they know and what they don't know?

So will these women be the first in line to offer up their lives or their kids' when it comes to Japan going to war?

More left wing fear mongering. Any war that may occur in Asia will undoubtedly not be started by Japan. Are you mocking women who may have to send their children to war to defend themselves from outside aggression. Not to mention defend you in the process?

The problem with scumbags like these is that they need scapegoats to make themselves feel better.

Seems like you must be talking about ROK here. Forever in search of a way to blame their misery on Japan ... now almost 100 years later. Scumbags indeed.

If Koreans are cockroaches, then they need to be exterminated. That is the logic here, I guess.

I am with you JAPAN. SK is aligning with their shameless arrogant Commie China neighbor. Their attitudes are becoming more and more irritating.....

Lets face it , actually majority of normal Japan people dont have a clue on what extend Korean propaganda work against Japan . And Japan goverment not only that have problem with Korean propaganda in the world, but they got problem with huge Korean propaganda in Japan . While Koreans are spreading hate toward Japan in the world, in Japan, they are trying to spread idea on how Koreans are super cool nation, and how Japan should follow them.

I see the left wing have been busy on this rainy day give large amounts of thumbs down to any one who likes what these woman are doing.

I support these woman and think its great they have a voice, and opinion and are not afraid to show it.

Good for them.

This is the byproduct of the constant hatred, demonization, and unfounded negative stereotypes directed at all Japanese by the anti Japan crowd and media.

When you push people, there comes a time when even the most 'timid' of people will push back.

I support these members. Japan has been very patient with China and Korea throughout years, but now it is the time to Japan defend herself against those trolls. Those who are against the Constitution's change don't really care about Japan or they are just showing ignorance about it. Change the article 9 doesn't mean Japan will invade other nations. ON the contrary, it will make possible to Japan defend itself and also help to defend others who suffer invasion.

So Japan had it's fascist government and military destroyed almost 70 years ago they have apologized to everyone for everything, became a model; democratic peace loving country, apologized and signed peace treaties with South Korea in 1965 and China in 1972 and is look upon favorably by nearly all nations on this planet except for China and North Korea which harps on WWII issues continuously, making anti-Japan sentiment an official political and diplomatic tool. I am not at all surprised that this kind of reverse reaction would occur as a result of China and South Korea's policies .

You can't blame these ladies for doing what they are doing. Look at Japanese culture which has Japanese remaining silent and generally turning away from loud confrontation while apologizing over and over and over again. Now look at Chinese culture which, well is polar opposite of Japanese culture and throw the Korean culture in which seems to thrive in wanting apologies but never being able to accept them but still wanting more.

How can Japanese continue on living with an old constitution that won't allow them to protect themselves proactively when this mindset of foreign cultures clearly shows that you that EVERY TIME you give China or the Koreas a millimetre, they end up taking a kilometre and then blame Japan for whatever reason.

Japan's current constitution pretty much has Japan waiting to be attacked before they can react. China knows this and will take advantage of this. The Koreas know this and while the south may think a little more before doing something stupid, the north will not. Recent history clearly demonstrates this.

Hurrah for them! The only downside I think is their aim to revoke the Kono statement. As questionable as it is, doing so would have a profound trickling effect. Monetarily speaking, everything has been allotted to the so called comfort women. Let this group of Hanadokeis and Soyokazes be a warning to China and Korea to put to rest the comfort women issue. So many have already taken advantaged of Japan along that issue. And beguiling as it is, the Jwomen are just beginning to show the power of a roaring lion.