Shukan Asahi publishes apology to Hashimoto

Wonder how many readers will cancel their subscription to Shukan Asahi for apologizing ... ??

@edojin - how many times can i hit the LIKE button for that one!?!?!?!?!?!

“Protecting human rights is the most essential rule of journalism, but this time we failed to follow that due to lack of consideration,” he wrote.

Then you should be trumpeting the fact that Hashimoto said public employees shouldn't have fundamental human rights.

Oh, don't give in to that fascist!!! If I bothered to subscribe to anything Asahi I would do as edojin mentions and cancel immediately. Heck, might even stop drinking Asahi beer (I know they're not really related).

When is HE going to apologize for all the things he's done to the public worker of Osaka? The only thing Asahi was "wrong" about was their Hitler comment. Give him time though, I'm sure he'd prove them right.

The apology to the 3 millions residents of former burakus for reviving the disgusting game of "outing the burakumin" will come in a further edition ?

A two page apology? Isn`t that a little excessively long? Bet some pressure was applied there.

So, they apologize for writing an opinion piece and calling it news. that is only appropriate. journalists should report the facts in an unbiased manner and leave the opinions to the bleacher junkies in the comment section.

Kansai is full of yakuza burakumin and their so-called support organizations are corrupt fronts that channel funds to the yakuza.

The mayor of Kyoto has been sued twice for illicitly providing public funds to two different burakumin associated entities, in one case being ordered to repay 70 million yen.

@taro67

Comparing his political rise to that of Hitler's may be opinion, but it is a fact that his father was a burakumin that was associated with the yakuza. That means that Hashimoto is also a burakumin, basically, and

Hasimoto's association with yakuza cretins is well known.

it is a fact that his father was a burakumin That means that Hashimoto is also a burakumin, basically

The thing many ignorant foreigners don't get is what burakumin means. It's a fact it's illegal to research someone's ancestors and to label someone as a burakumin. No matter who you target, it's racism and discrimination.

If he really is from the burakumin class, then it is simply a fact, like some are from the samurai or merchants or farmer class of yore. It's a fact. Why cover it up? Or apologize for stating the facts?

Reminded me of Japan FC's recent 0-4 loss to team Brazil. Asahi and Sano were clearly unprepared for this and Asahi in particular was clearly into maximizing revenue more than anything else with their sensational headlines and all. Turns out they underestimated Hashimoto and failed to realize how tough of an opponent he really is especially when it comes to legal matters of this nature. Sano may have gotten away with digging into Son Masayoshi's zainichi past previously but not this one. Shukan Bunshun and Shincho appear to be much more professional and calculative when they periodically publish articles critical of Hashimoto and guess Asahi was seeking to do something bigger. Sorry to say this fully exposed the complete lack of sophistication on their part. I would rate the loss 0-20 in soccer terms.

@Cos

Are you sure that you understand what burakumin means?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burakumin

It is discriminatory to refuse them employment on the basis of the former status of burakumin, because that status in and of itself is obsolete.

It is not racism per se, because the burakumin are Japanese; the are Japanese descendants of a class of untouchables. The yakuza connection is well documented.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20060713f1.html

The term burakumin is taboo, with "dowa" being the PC term, and how associations of people that are of burakumin refer to themselves indirectly. The English term used in the following article for one organization is "Buraku Liberation League". And though Hashimoto currently states that he is against providing government handouts to these people, his stance was the opposite only a couple years ago, as I recall.

The Buraku Liberation League is considered one of the most militant among burakumin's rights groups. The BLL is known for its fierce "denunciation and explanation sessions", where alleged perpetrators of discriminatory actions or speech are summoned for a public hearing before a panel of activists. Early sessions were marked by occasions of violence and kidnapping, and several BLL activists have been arrested for such acts. The legality of these sessions is still disputed, but to this date the authorities have mostly turned a blind eye to them except in the more extreme cases. In 1990, Karel van Wolferen's criticism of the BLL in his much-acclaimed book The Enigma of Japanese Power prompted the BLL to demand the publisher halt publication of the Japanese translation of the book. Van Wolferen condemned this as an international scandal.

@alliswellinjapan

...when it comes to legal matters of this nature

What do you mean by that? Is there anything illegal in what they published?

I understand that there are laws against discrimination, but Hashimoto is a public figure and has changed his stance on public funding of burakumin entitlement programs and the like, apparently on the basis of a political calculus of the moment.

Though I haven't read the article, it appears that some language was over the top, but would hardly seem to be in violation of any laws.

I would, however, be interested to know if there are such draconian measures on the books to protect the former outcaste class, descendants of which are said to account for 70% of the members of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza crime syndicate based in Kobe.

Was your comment made on the basis of some such concrete knowledge?

Hashimoto actually apologized to Asahi for calling them "savages", "lower than dogs and cats" and calling to "exterminate them", because apparently he thought that Asahi had sent the magazine to his mother, when it turns out that it was his sister that bought it.

This guy is hilarious.

But he only apologized over Twitter and not in person. This coming from a guy who accuses others of "not knowing how to properly apologize". Again, hilarious.

ubikwit:

Is there anything illegal in what they published?

Was thinking more about the risks for possible litigation involving specific groups or individuals related thereto, particularly when it concerns a sensitive topic of this nature. Believe nonetheless this probably has more to do with basic ethics and morality on the part of Asahi than potential violation of existing laws specifically given Hashimoto's public figure position as you rightfully point out.

I would, however, be interested to know if there are such draconian measures on the books to protect the former outcaste class

Don't think so as far as I know. As many are aware Japan generally tends to be slow in development of anti-discrimination laws.

That said, hope my point above remains clear that whatever Asahi did (or tried to do) presumably much out of commercial intentions was completely rash to say the least (in the sense that they were clearly unprepared and underestimating who they were going against) ending in utter defeat and tremendous damage while possibly and ironically providing a helpful lift for Hashimoto which may have been just what he wanted to improve his new party's approval ratings.

Japan should weep for how obediently and meekly Asashi Shinbum delivered a kidney punch to a constitutionally guaranteed free press thoughout Japan by aquiescing to Hashimoto's outrageous blackmail. If Hashimototruly had a legal case, he could have -- and should have sued for libel. He didn't. Rather, he issued a very public "hit" on Asashi Shinbum for daring to speculate in the free press on issues that are undisputed.

Mark my words: Hashimoto is a very, very dangerous man.

Though I haven't read the article, it appears that some language was over the top, but would hardly seem to be in violation of any laws.

The title was 「橋下徹のDNAをさかのぼり、本性をあぶり出す」 roughly "Hashimoto's true nature emerges from his DNA" just that is in violation of what I find acceptable. Write any name you want, that's still not normal. That's as racist as the guys that come with theories that people of such color are stupid and criminals, etc.

What do you mean by that? Is there anything illegal in what they published?

Yes. Researching someone's buraku origins and outing them (rightly or wrongly) are both illegal. And both actions are condemned unanimously by international human rights watching groups. It's a form of harassment and that has negative consequences for the persons. Some people declare themselves of burakumin origin, and it's the only case in which you can say : "this guy is burakumin" , and even, saying it when it's not the appropriate time can be bullying. That's like being gay. If the persons want it to be public, you can repeat that X is gay, but that's still crossing the line to bring that information in the context of some business discussion for instance.

I understand that there are laws against discrimination, but Hashimoto is a public figure

And he has said inadmissible things. So what ? That gives you and the media a free pass to not respect the law and people in general ?

I would, however, be interested to know if there are such draconian measures on the books to protect the former outcaste class, descendants of which are said to account for 70% of the members of the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza crime syndicate based in Kobe. Was your comment made on the basis of some such concrete knowledge?

What you expose is not knowledge but gratuitous libel that you repeat without understanding. You're like the guy that has seen the Godfather movies and concludes : "Yeah, all those mafiosi are Italians... so all those Italians are in the mafia.". A few burakumin politicians were involved with yakuza and embezzled public funds just the same way as some other non-burakumin politicians (see the rest of the news today, check dear Mrs Tanaka's daddy...). That does not mean people of burakumin descent are more likely to be yakuza than the average Japanese. Then, get some information about the funding over the years. 30 yrs ago, if people were living in certain streets (real slums), they could get benefits or tax cuts. But that's over, this program was dropped (in the early 90's). Now, only the areas where most inhabitants are considered as poor are receiving funds for renovation and improvement project. That means many burakumin communities have ceased to get anything decades ago. There are even very wealthy burakumin clans as their businesses in leather and fashion industry have been successful. For decades, they have paid full taxes and they are p.ssed off because there are still old farts going around claiming that these riches would steal money from poor hard-working taxpayers or doing them unfair competition in business. In addition since 1945, all urban areas of Kansai (and I assume Japan) have successively received renovation funds for the sake of reconstruction after the war, but the ethnic areas and the buraku areas had been left out or less renovated. So, it's really dishonest to say they are favored.

(Hashimoto) and has changed his stance on public funding of burakumin entitlement programs and the like, apparently on the basis of a political calculus of the moment.

He has always been in favor of cutting their funding and closing their center, and he bragged he'd do it. But the decision is not at his level. It's decided by Government and MPs and they have decided to keep funding for a while, just because they won't bother changing of policy. But the money is wasted, it's clear. The urban renovation has been done. With the extra money, they have built some big high maintenance cultural centers that are empty (who needs to rent unequipped gyms ? concert halls ?) but cannot not be transformed into the kindergartens or elderly centers that are needed. That money does nothing to the discrimination problem. Some people from ex-burakus are still poor, but they can get the same benefits and such as any other citizen in need. The thing that could be effective would be to change the laws against discrimination. Whenever someone does the outing on someone or is proven doing discrimination or is painting the whole community as evil, the bully could be sued and punished with a hefty fine and some jail penalty and if it's media, some warnings and closure in case they do repeat the offense. The Zainichi Koreans have won some trial against Japanese media that had presented them as a huge bunch of North-Korean spies abducting kids. That was a good thing they could defend themselves. I wish burakumin groups would sue Asahi Shimbun this time, but realistically, they can't because the article is too political.

The term burakumin is taboo, with "dowa" being the PC term, and how associations of people that are of burakumin refer to themselves indirectly.

No, "dowa" means assimilation areas, it's just a more recent administrative term and it's no longer used as they have reformed the system. "hisabetsu burakumin" is still used officially to discuss the issues of persons. The offensive words were "eta" and "hinin". In Osaka, if they have to, they'll call themselves burakumin. .As you said, it's the BLL. But locally, they said Asuka-kai and they had that Asuka-bunka-center, etc.

@Cos

I am aware of the official meaning of "dowa", as described on the Wikipedia page. What I was pointing out that people in general shy away from using the term burakumin, preferring "dowa" as a polite nondescript alternative when discussing the issue. I have experienced that personally in conversation about the matter. And yes, burakumin is not necessarily derogatory, like hinin and eta (alo described on Wiki page), because it is simply a description of a socially imposed conditions of their communal exist in the past.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20090120zg.html

Buraku issues are considered dangerous, and there is a fear that mere mention of the word "burakumin" or criticism of something related to dowa policy may be construed as discriminatory.

That quote says exactly what I'm talking about.

What you expose is not knowledge but gratuitous libel that you repeat without understanding.

Excuse, but that is a contemptuous and insulting retort. The Wikipedia page describes the quote from a book by Kaplan where that figure of 70% of the Yamguchi-gumi comes from, and Robert Whiting puts the overall figure for all yakuza groups at 60% burakumin.

http://fora.tv/2012/02/16/Tokyo_Underworld_2012_An_Evening_with_Robert_Whiting

I happen to live in an area that has been overrun by burakumin yakuza in collusion with corrupt politicians like the current mayor of Kyoto. Infact, it sometimes seems like the upper crust of some parts of Kansai are trying to use the yakuza as their own private paramilitary against the population at large. I have noticed a number of Westerners--Freemason secret society types--collaborating with the yakuza. Naturally I find them to be loathsome sociopaths as well.

After the arrest of Konishi, the BLL issued an apology, and pledged to "reform more than 2,000 branches all over Japan, ensuring the liberal conduct of each group, making sure there are no connections to gangster groups and getting rid of those who are related to them."

The scandal seems to have had an impact on local government attitudes to support for buraku communities. Osaka Gov. Toru Hashimoto's budgetary plan for 2009 allows no further subsidies for buraku-related projects. This has led to protests from within the buraku community that they are being punished for the crimes of certain individuals.

I seem to recall reading that he supported such funding before this scandal made it politically untenable, before the 2009 budget.

@Cos

The point you made about DNA must be one of the descriptions in the article that Asahi has disclaimed as being inappropriate.

As it seems you can read Japanese, I'm going to direct you to the Japanese Wikipedia page on the current mayor of Kyoto.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%96%80%E5%B7%9D%E5%A4%A7%E4%BD%9C

Look under the section 不祥事 "Scandals".

The first of the two cases described involved illicit payment of city funds directly to the Burakumin Liberation League, and the second case also involved companies run by burakumin, as I recall.

I haven't said that all people descended from burakumin are criminals, but I have first hand experience in dealing with some that are.

You have made the point that there are successful people of burakumin descent that are not sociopaths, which is fair enough, obviously. But all that are part of the yakuza are sociopaths with an entitlement mentality that some factions would seem intent on encouraging in order to use them against society at large. Among those people are non-burakumin politicians like Kadokawa Daisaku, the current mayor of Kyoto, who has lost two civil suits for providing those groups with taxpayer money illicitly while he was, somewhat ironically, the head of the Department of Education.

In this age, A reputable magazine still use BURAKU-MIN in delegatory manner. If you are not familiar with Japanese culture, look at WikiPedia. Buarkumin. In Japan, no matter what you do, they praise you if you are descendent of Shizoku (samurai class). Only way they can avoid insults everywhere is to belong to yakuza. There are some yskjuzas who are shizoku, People will stop to insult you on the street, I can write more about discrimination custom in Japan.