politics

S Korea balks as U.S. picks Japan, Australia to service F-35s in Asia

83 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

83 Comments
Login to comment

"South Korea said on Thursday it will not send its F-35 fleet to Japan for heavy airframe maintenance, one of the two Asian hubs chosen by the United States to service the Lockheed Martin Corp stealth fighter.

Instead, it is likely to fly the jets to Australia for maintenance, about eight times further away than Japan and well beyond their operating range"

Dumb.

21 ( +27 / -6 )

The drama with Korean's ego never ends. few weeks ago, it was "nut air" and now "F-35 air service" case! In the future, when both Korea united, America will have to relocate current bases somewhere else, right? Korea has come along way, and they really want to be the top dog, don't they?

13 ( +21 / -8 )

Just ship the engines to Australia.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The Americans should enlist Americans to service American jets, for the sake of American jobs and the American economy.

Radical idea, I know. But handing elements of your most cutting edge industries to foreigners is actually bad for your economy back home.

-14 ( +8 / -21 )

Given Japan's recent record of quality control I wouldn't be sending them to Japan either.

-24 ( +9 / -32 )

Given Japan's recent record of quality control I wouldn't be sending them to Japan either.

This coming from Korea. How rich.

There is a reason why U.S. selected Japan as a service location for north which not only includes JSDF own fleets but as well as from U.S. fleets in Japan. There is a reason why 38 of the 42 F-35 Japan plans to own are made in Japan. There is reason why Korea has neither of these.

22 ( +31 / -9 )

South Korea is sounding more and more like a petulant child every day.

23 ( +29 / -6 )

Who cares what South Korea whines?

22 ( +26 / -4 )

“There will never be a case where our fighter jets will be taken to Japan for maintenance,” said an official at South Korea’s arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

Yes slumdog, I agree South Korea is acting like a petulant child. HOWEVER, lets be real right now and all BS aside. If the U.S. decision had been to pick South Korea do you really think the Japanese would be like,

"Congratulations South Korea on getting the deal. Lets work out how our Japanese F-35's can be serviced in Korea!"

or do you think Japan would act in similar fashion? Just a thought.

-16 ( +8 / -24 )

South Korea is sounding more and more like a petulant child every day.

Both countries act like children at times. But it always amazes me how one-sided posters here can be, especially against South Korea and China.

-17 ( +9 / -25 )

Wow, Korea - cutting off its nose to spite its face.

If the U.S. decision had been to pick South Korea do you really think the Japanese would be like,

"Congratulations South Korea on getting the deal. Lets work out how our Japanese F-35's can be serviced in Korea!"

or do you think Japan would act in similar fashion? Just a thought.

I think that you may find some of the populace - some of them on this site even - who would act the same as Korea. But on the government level, I think that they would send the planes to be serviced in Korea. Even Japan isn't this petty.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

@titaniumdi0xideDEC. 19, 2014 - 08:12AM JST Who cares what South Korea whines?

I agree with you 100 %

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Just ship the engines to Australia.

Did you actually read the article? Try the second line.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Boys squabbling over toys.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Infantile and childish. Just grow up.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Strangerland Dec. 19, 2014 - 08:32AM JST

I think that you may find some of the populace - some of them on this site even - who would act the same as Korea. But on the government level, I think that they would send the planes to be serviced in Korea. Even Japan isn't this petty.

I think Japan would approach it better but would try to find an appropriate excuse to have in done in Australia. Maybe some kind of military trade pact, example being Japan would service Japanese subs purchased by Australian and Australia would service the F-35

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

Perhaps it is the fact South Korea has no ability to repair the aircraft as they even outsource their own aircraft. Typical South Korean response - wa wa wa wa wa wa.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

nigelboy: "This coming from Korea. How rich."

Yes, given Honda, Takada, Fukushima, and all the other quality control problems going on with Japanese companies and the places they deal with.

In any cases, it does seem rather petty, but keep in mind there are still plenty of politicians in Japan with significant power who, like some of the right-wing posters, want war with South Korea and have flat out said so, why would they want their newest and best fighter jets serviced in such a place? and also why so that companies like Mitsubishi can profit? Security-wise it doesn't make much sense.

-21 ( +8 / -30 )

This article is hilarious.

However, barring unforeseen circumstances, the new jets would not require much heavy maintenance until five years after their delivery

So they've bought these fighter planes, which will only really be useful in war time (and no, they won't be used for reconnaissance since drones and satellites do a much better job at a fraction of the cost) ... but if a war happens they'll be out of commission for 8 times longer because South Korea's is too dumb to realise that this will effectively nullify any advantage of having these fighters if they make a dozen combat flights then have to spend 2 weeks on a carrier going to Australia when they could instead fly for in a morning to Japan, get maintained and be sent back in a couple of days.

... mind-bogglingly idiotic. Spending billions on these planes and then completely neutralising their effectiveness all for the sake of ego.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

As long as Korea is footing the bill.... let them waste the money.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Why do you think that the relative maturity of Japan was chosen over the little brat.

Japan will not be going to war with S Korea anytime soon unless the south initiates it, so their reasoning is skew.

It is simply the fact they do not like losing out to Japan, something to do with their childish brat like mentality.

See those people riding the trains each day engrossed on their smart phone screens, wearing designer clothes or dressed immaturely, do you think anyone of them would do any good being sent to war? These generation of Japanese does not have a war like human cell in them, they shy away from aggression avoid conflict just in daily life, so how the hell would they confront a perceived enemy? You are dreaming if you think the people of japan today will engage in a pacific war by choice.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

@smithinjapan

keep in mind there are still plenty of politicians in Japan with significant power who, like some of the right-wing posters, want war with South Korea and have flat out said so*

Can you name these powerful politicians for me? I wanna keep track of who's who. You don't have to direct me to a quote if thats too much trouble, I'll look for myself if you would tell me the names of these politicians.

14 ( +19 / -5 )

At this point SK shouldn't be getting the F-35 at all: they are constantly giving in to whatever China demands of them.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

SK embarrassing themselves before the world by being ridiculous while swearing they're acting cool.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Very stupid. You'd think they'd realise that this will make the Japanese public even less inclined to listen to them.

With North Korea and China being the way they are, the best thing is for Korea and Japan to get on better.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

lmao @ South Korea. Can you guys make yourselves look anymore pathetic and infantile?

8 ( +14 / -6 )

Whilst a lot of people here seem upset/angry with South Koreas decision - as an Aussie I'm happy: more money and business for us!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

petty aren't they...what happens when you have an inferiority complex...

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Is this a political issue or a technical issue? Or something to do with contacts?

However, barring unforeseen circumstances, the new jets would not require much heavy maintenance until five years after their delivery, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly. Heavy maintenance involves repairs that get into the structure of the airplanes.

Well, that alleviates some of the "burden", short term.

If this problem is actually something to spite Japan, I'd agree it's very silly, and strategically stupid of the individuals responsible (who as far as I can see are doing the wrong thing to their own country).

True patriots don't give a hoot about former enemies, they look for new friends.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

sound US trust Japan and Australia but not S Korea.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

The South Korean aptitude for good transportation management and safety (airlines, subways, ferries, bridge construction, etc.) is well documented. So if they want to maintain their expensive fighter fleet like that, just let them sing Let It Go...

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Sour grapes from South Korea

9 ( +13 / -4 )

I wonder which country in the world is the most childish and the biggest crybaby--South Korea or China?

14 ( +18 / -4 )

Neither country is childish.

Instead of looking at the negative side of this it's better to look at Australia being the country we can trust.

Look how Australians (ground level) offered support to Muslims living in their country after the hostage situation. Instead of a racial backlash they offered support and solidarity to that part of their community.

So yeah....I think S. Korea is right. I would trust them too.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

This is completely reasonable strategic position to take. If Korea is ever going to have to use those jets, it's only going to be against one of 3 likely countries. Suggesting that you have those jets maintained in one of those three countries would get you kicked out of West Point or any other military academy around the world. Would Argentina send it's jets to the UK to be repaired?

While I'm not a huge fan of South Korea, the only thing 'pathetic', 'infantile' and 'embarrassing' here is the brain dead logic in some of these anti-Korean comments, no matter what the facts are. Just think about what Japan would be saying if the shoe was on the other foot. Thumbs down away...

-8 ( +4 / -11 )

Instead, it is likely to fly the jets to Australia for maintenance, about eight times further away than Japan

Japan is so close to South Korea. Japan has very reputable engineering talents. However Aircraft Maintenance is very delicate and serious matter. Despite that Aussie aviation industries have been struggling to survive with such a very small and low growth market. It will be the good news for unemployed aero nautical engineers, avionic technicians and aircraft maintenance technicians from Australia.

Consumer has freedom to choose any dependable service provider. Distance and convenience factor has low priority comparing with safety issue.

It is also true for Japan for not choosing Australia or South Korea as maintenance service provider.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

“There will never be a case where our fighter jets will be taken to Japan for maintenance,” said an official at South Korea’s arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration

Everyone, please remember this in a year or so when Korean F-15s and other ROKAF fighters begin popping into bases on the Sea of Japan side for maintenance...

9 ( +9 / -0 )

SK should just order the so called Chinese Stealth fighter and stop bashing Japan.

9 ( +10 / -0 )

Far from "dumb" and "petty", as the knee-jerk reaction from the usual crowd of drones would have it, it's a smart decision on the part of the Korean government. And not at all surprising after their long, bitter experience of victimization at the hands of the Japanese. Brutal exploitation, underhandedness, undeserved contempt, wholesale stealing of cultural and material treasures over centuries of history have taught the Koreans a healthy distrust of Japan; that Japan simply cannot be trusted to deal honestly and fairly with Korea.

What if Korea did allow their war planes to be serviced in Japan -- where many consider Korea to be an active enemy, and some pray for another Korean War as a solution to Japan's failing economy? Could those planes be trusted not to come back implanted with data-stealing malware? Parts that mysteriously fail and cause incessant headaches and danger for pilots? Provide another weapon for the uyoku? All with plausible deniability of course -- "One of the technicians turned out to be part Chinese!", or "it was manufactured by a Toyota/Takata subsidiary!", etc. If the circumstances were reversed, you can bet the farm Japan would find an excuse not to give the job to Korea.

-14 ( +3 / -18 )

When will these politicians grow up! Bunch of babies.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Wouldn't be surprised if SK sold the technology to China, so butt-hurt they are

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Just set up shop in Dokdo/Takeshima. That way, they can finally get some use out of those worthless rocks.

0 ( +2 / -3 )

I don't see why this is ridiculous as the responses suggest. I'd take my car to a mechanic 8 times further away than have my brother-in-law or somebody I don't like take a look at it.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

I know this sounds dumb, but this kinda reminds me of Naruto. Korea and Japan are like the different villages in Naruto, but they only fully unite after the Madara (I guess China?) becomes a big enough threat to wipe them both out. If only the two nations could look past their differences and think of the present/future.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

@quercetum

Did you miss this from the article?:

"Instead, it ( Korea ) is likely to fly the jets to Australia for maintenance, about eight times further away than Japan and well beyond their operating range."

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Australia has strict safety standards? Unlike some other countries. Food safety, or air bags or moving radioactive material in a bucket, feeding children toxic mammal meat, building Nuclear plants on fault lines, in a Tsunami zone, yep I want these people looking after my over priced fighter.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Cutting off your nose cones to spite your face.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Every occasion is good for bashing SK in Japan. With all the lack of quality standards in Japan recently and current govt ruling the country, I can understand the motivation behind not wanting to to bring sensitive maintenance here.

-8 ( +3 / -12 )

Another issue that shows the high level of distrust and the uncomfortable feelings between the two asian countries,,i mean this is also true in Japan -- anti korean feeling is present, u can see that here on JT also. And under the leadership of LDP - patriotrism to be instilled in schools, changing of constitution and school curriculums, re-writing of history (with no diplomatic or intellectual exchanges), the very things that i think creates friction, not trust, fuelled with memories of japan's glory days. You will say japan is friendly now, but of course many even in this thread also still don't trust or simply hates S/K. If Japan also accept the deal on a governmental level if it was given to S/K, i think they will only do that to court S/K, and i don't think S/K can be that stupid as well,,because if Japan accept such a deal (if it is for Korea), i don't think they will accept it with good faith..it is sad sometimes to face the truth but i think this is how things should be in the meantime, whether u like it or not. Each nation have evey right to say yes or no and i am not surprised with this response. This distrust and the "no" response also somewhat hurts Japan's economy, if my understanding is right.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

At first I thought south Korea was just being immature but really it is unreasonable to expect them to trust a country they have strained relations with to maintain thier military equipment. How would the US feel if Russia was in charge of providing maintenance for American planes?

-3 ( +6 / -8 )

This is a no brainer.

South Korea don't trust Japan, either politically or trust in Japanese workmanship.

Japan has had huge quality issues lately, it's best to avoid them if one can choose Australia which had no issues at all. Tell me, who would you take your car to for maintenance, the one who charges you arm and a leg and then screw up with repairs, or the one with a solid reputation for being fair? I'll take the shop named Australia.

Politically, South Korea and Japan are now enemies. Militaristically, not yet. But still there could be a clash over the islands in the future, once Mr Abe erases Article 9 from the books, and turn Japan into a nationalistic jingoistic country. Why would Korea take their planes to a country where it's legal for its citizens to protest in mass, calling for the killings of Koreans and calling for war? And the government of Japan have placated them and subtly encouraged them -which is the crux of the problem.

If there is a perfect candidate of a frenemy, for Korea, Japan is it. It's like Apple taking their CPU production to Taiwan, rather then going with the enemy Samsung.

Thirdly, why would Korea give more business to Japan when they don't have to, when Japan buys nothing from Korea? That's silly. Korea should do more business with countries that it has FTA agreements with, and SK and Australia has just that. Korea don't want to deal with Japan in terms of economically, after Japan have been threatening Korea with economic sanctions and economic retaliations, the last couple of years. Those threats were repeated printed in Japanese media, and the Korean government took notice and it was a big cold water in their face that said "wake up". Now Korea wants to deleverage from Japan as much as possible, to eliminate any kind of dependence on a Japan that's rapidly turning into an enemy.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Serrano Dec. 19, 2014 - 12:54PM JST

Did you miss this from the article?:

"Instead, it ( Korea ) is likely to fly the jets to Australia for maintenance, about eight times further away than Japan and well beyond their operating range."

I know they didn't explain it but aircraft are routinely shipped by air cargo or transported by ships. Heard of in-flight refueling which is how air forces around the world get long distances.

-5 ( +4 / -10 )

Both countries act like children at times. But it always amazes me how one-sided posters here can be, especially against South Korea and China.

I don't think you should be amazed. This decision by the Korean government shows it still operates to the whims of its own right wing fanatics and the populace's strong anti-Japanese feelings, even when it is economically detrimental to do so. As an outsider, but having experienced living conditions in all three countries, I feel that (maybe like the majority of non-Japanese posters on this site), most Japanese people would really like to have normal relations between the three countries, whereas many Koreans and Chinese just can't accept such a relationship. Maybe also "the one-sided posters here" feel that living in Japan can be a much more civilised experience. I occasionally found that the Koreans and Chinese are not particularly fond of any kind of foreigner.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Some people here thinking this is about "quality" are living in a cave. It's nothing but childish hate politics, pure and simple.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Reality is Honda and Toyota are no longer reliliable brands due to many products recalls recently. Imagine Japan aviation industry will recall F35 for servicing again, Korean pilots have already filed Kamekaze mission and they will not come back to earth after the mission. It will be one way ticket for them unlike trustworthy and dependable Aussie maintainance.

Japanese aircraft maintenance will be nothing different from Telco management of Fukushima nuclear reactors. Flying The jets serviced by Japanese aviation industry is nothing different from sleeping together with Tiger in the cage.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

As far as Japan not being up to the task, commercial airliners fly to and from Japan all the time, haven't noticed any appreciable difference in maintenance errors as compared to other similar countries (such as USA).

But since it has bases in South Korea and Japan already, USA should just service the F-35s of both countries with its own techs, along with its own F-35s based in those countries. If F-35 is such a hotshot and advanced tech aircraft, stupid to spread maintenance facilities around amongst foreign countries under their direct control (as facilities in US-controlled bases would not be).

Thirdly, what is reluctance to permit an F-35 maintenance facility in South Korea indicative of? Not trusting ROK to hold out against DPRK attack? Or not trusting ROK to hold out against DPRK espionage?

6 ( +6 / -1 )

Probably Japan couldn't care less. Mitsubishi has been working with Boeing for years. Repairng service? Let Aussie does. Some day Japan will take over US military product industry, only left industry in USA.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

What a waste of money at $100m a pop. I suppose it's a struggle to decide who the 'enemy' really is and in which direction to take off.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

South Korea has itself to blame for this decision! Can a country that continues to harbor unfounded hatred since WW2 for one of our closest allies be trusted?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

South Korea can send their F-5s to China for maintenance. Seriously their order should be cancelled. Their huge chip on the shoulder is fine for themselves but not for the US alliance.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Although I really care less on how SK burns her money, I really believe the SK tax payers should have a say on this. Literally the government is planning on burning tax payer's money to satisfy their over blown ego. With such a high unemployment rate(not the fudged version the government announces again from over blown ego) I do not think they can spare that kind of money.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I think Japan should worry about its own finances with a soverign credit rating 3 notches below Korea's with shrinking account surplus which is not even half of South Korea's estimated value of $117 billion this year. S.Korea has enough money to burn a few billion on this useless toy, Japan doesn't, with its debt level 300% of GDP and with phoney unemployment numbers. S.Korea isn't going to voluntarily help out the poor Japanese economy so that they can spy on Korea and sabotage the planes. As for the US, it's what the customer wants, customer gets for the money ROK has paid. The US have no say in any of this.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

so that they can spy on Korea and sabotage the planes.

pathetic

8 ( +9 / -1 )

In Japan, the airframe maintenance decision benefits Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is already slated to run the final assembly and checkout plant being built in Japan at a cost of 63.9 billion yen.

Future engine work in Japan would be done by IHI Corp, which is already building engine components for Japan’s F-35 jets, according to a source familiar with the program.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Don't envy what Korean Government can spend to develop facilities. Japan, Govt do not have to spend tax money. Mitsubishi, IHI already have and have been operating. No tax money needed.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Oh yeah so Korea is supposed to just let Japan mess with their most expensive procurement in History? If tables were turned would Japan let Korea maintain their most important and expensive platform? I think NOT.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Smith. Stop crying.

Can you see yourself using the Fukushima/Honda/Takata lame argument in front of Department of Defense committee? You will branded as a delusional idiot so please spare the nonsense.

The fact remains, South Korea doesn't have the capacity nor the trust to be responsible for such tasks. In addition, there is a reason why U.S. allocated two polar opposite locations.

"...Seven thousand miles separate the two primary areas where F-35s will be concentrated in the Pacific, Bogdan said. Moving entire aircraft over that distance would require significant amounts of fuel and other support, he said, making it uneconomical. And, he said, “Quite often, some of those airplanes that have to be inducted into a depot are going in there because they need upgrades or there's something wrong.”

Operationally, it didn’t make sense to introduce a long transportation delay into the MRO&U process, the general said.

“If you're having airplanes in the northern Pacific that need a rapid upgrade to respond to a new threat, having to move them 7,000 miles to do that mod in Australia, or vice versa, has an operational impact, because the war fighter won't get the airplane as quickly as he needed to,” he explained...."

Common sense if you ask me. But it appears for South Korea, this is something totally foreign.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

nigelboy, South Korea is planning to bring the maintenance to Korea. The delivery dated for those planes are 2025. Then those maintenance work won't be needed for five more years - if there are no major delays. So in essence, we're talking about year 2030 for the works to begin. A lot can happen during that time. But the eventual plan is to do it in Korea, not Australia or Japan. Australia is just an initial plan just in case things don't go right. SK has to first build the proper maintenance center, buy the equipment to test the stealths, and get trained on maintenance. Korea bought their planes couple of months ago, much later than Japan and Australia so they lack certain infrastructure to service those planes. Don't think Japan is so special that only the great Yamato race can do this type of work, because it's nothing special. It's just maintenance work, not building an UFO to fight Godzilla.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

nigelboy, South Korea is planning to bring the maintenance to Korea.

Sure. Have they got the 'go' from U.S. to do such a thing?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

so that they can spy on Korea and sabotage the planes.

Watching too many movies, I see.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Never is a word that politics falls back on when faced with the inevitable. For all governments pride comes before a fall. I think by 2018 a compromise will be found that suits all and sundry.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Makes no difference to me and am sure Japan would deny overflight of Japanese airspace to their F-35's. In fact I do not care at all as it is the South Koreans problem not Japans. Japan should not get involved in the Korean civil war.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Shameful

@fds, true story

@nigelboy, it's what pro-koreans here don't understand

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Oh yeah so Korea is supposed to just let Japan mess with their most expensive procurement in History?

This is Korean mentality. They blame Japan for just about everything.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

South Korea should by J-10 instead. They need to know who to watch out for.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Apart from the two rocks in the Sea of Japan, Korea and Japan share a lot of interests and are allies in the Pax Americana. About time they start behaving like allies.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

IshiwaraDec. 21, 2014 - 03:39PM JST Apart from the two rocks in the Sea of Japan, Korea and Japan share a lot of interests and are allies in the Pax >Americana. About time they start behaving like allies.

It's only South Korea that has a behavior problem.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"It's only South Korea that has a behavior problem."

It's only Japan that has a mental problem.

I think the above two statements are childish, including my own statement. I thought I just write a stupid statement to prove that the above is a stupid statement. I hope this helps.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

tinawatanabeDEC. 20, 2014 - 07:50PM JST

This is Korean mentality. They blame Japan for just about everything.

oh please. just go to any bigger book store and you will find dozens of into korean books on display...

do you see the same in korea? i don't think so

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

warausalesman

You don't need to since you can see it on display on the streets as an anti-Japan rally or another.

I also believe you can see it on display as children shows their newly insulated hate against Japan in the drawings of Takeshima.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan's response was actually mature. South Korea basically says they will send their planes to Japan for maintenance "when pigs fly", and Japan basically says, "Whatever, dude. We're currently only planning to fix our 42. We still have to hash out with the Pentagon whether we're going to allow any others to be worked on here. It's not like we were basing our whole operation on getting the South Korean planes in here."

It's South Korea's decision as to where they have their aircraft maintained. They have two choices for airframe maintenance and they chose the more expensive one. Must be nice to be rolling in cash, huh?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SamuraiBlue that like most stuff posted here lately just embarrasing. But thank you for painting such a negative image of the Japanese, as it help to drive those devil forces out of Japan quicker. GDP of Japan will be same level as Indonesia in 10years... hahaha

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

For added context, it is worth pointing out that in 2014:

Imports from Japan to Korea = 4.6 billion $US Imports from Korea to Japan = 2.9 billion $US

From my own first hand experience I met many Koreans working in manufacturing industry, dealing on a regular basis with Japanese counterparts, who could speak communicable Japanese, and would enjoy business eating and drinking "parties" with Japanese. (In contrast virtually none of the Japanese spoke any Korean at all).

So while the political drama regularly appearing in the newspapers is true, it only shows one aspect of a larger picture.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Craig - I agree. I have a Korean client who comes to Japan regularly, and loves his time here. We always go out with Japanese people (related to his project), and there are never any problems.

Not all Japanese people are right-wing Korea-haters like we often see on this site. Just recently one poster was recommending that Japan cut off all ties with Korea and move all business to SE Asia. Even when pointed out that doing so would collapse the Japanese economy, she said she would rather live in a stone-age Japan, than have her country dealing with Koreans (and Chinese). Thank you for taking the time to point out that there are many, many other Koreans and Japanese who are not brainless like the poster I am mentioning.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites