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Thousands of South Koreans protest Japanese trade curbs

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By KIM TONG-HYUNG

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Huge crowds swarmed the streets in front of the Japanese Embassy, carrying signs that read "Boycott Japan"

Japan is making exports to South Korea more difficult. There is no point in boycotting. These people are basically idiots.

and "No Abe," referring to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. They shouted "We condemn the Abe government" and "Let's end humiliating South Korea-Japan relations."

What do South Koreans think refusing to settle the Liancourt Rocks dispute at the ICJ three times, reneging on the 2015 CW Agreement and refusing to abide by the Arbitration Clause of the 1965 Treaty is doing to SK-JPN relations? Who is "humiliating" whom? Brainwashed masses. People who have been neutral on the SK-JPN issue are now seeing just how far off the deep end South Korea is.

and fully discard a 2015 deal between the countries over compensating South Korean women who were forced to work in Japan's World War II military brothels.

Your Moon already did that. There's no point in calling for something that's already been done.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in promised "stern" countermeasures against the Japanese measures, which he described as a deliberate attempt to damage South Korea's economy and also a "selfish" move that could disrupt global supply chains.

And disregarding the 1965 Treaty and it's provisions and allowing a South Korean Court to rule against Japanese corporations wasn't a "deliberate attempt to damage Japan's economy"?

As for "selfish" what country in the world demands that a part of the ocean be renamed to something that only makes sense to someone standing on the Korean Peninsula?

Is South Korea even capable of doing anything that doesn't make matters worse?

20 ( +27 / -7 )

interesting how in the states protesters are all carrying individually made signs where as in S.Korean the signs are mass produced and they are all carrying exactly the same signs. Kinda makes you wonder if they really feel that way or paid to be there.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

The Japanese trade measures have stoked public anger in South Korea, where many believe Japan still hasn't fully atoned for atrocities committed during its colonial occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Cookie cutter journalism at its 'finest.'

Let these fools march, they don't even know what they are marching against or why it's pointless and attacking the wrong party. All they care is, "oh, it's Japan, let's march, who cares, Japan is always evil and whitewashing history!"

Grow up!

19 ( +24 / -5 )

South Korea's National Pastime..... Protesting, is in full swing. They're not happy unless they have something to protest over.

19 ( +22 / -3 )

Interesting that they blame others for what they brought upon themselves.

Much more interesting is that they are "enjoying" blaming and protesting against Japan.

Other than the US, Jpana was probably the only other country that sincerely assisted S Korea in the past.

Indeed, they have misplaced their values and started to lose their minds...

Or.. they have a completely different set of values than what I can appreciate and comprehend.

18 ( +22 / -4 )

Once again, not knowing the whole story and going off half-cocked.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Time to get out of SK. Close down the embassies, and relocate all businesses. And I would definitely reconsider going to SK if you are Japanese. They will be targeting you next.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

No boycott in Japan of Korean products, no protest in Japan the way you see very often in Korea, no Japanese burning Korean flags, destroying Korean products the way they do Japanese products. They removed us from their WhiteList too the same day, but they want to complain to WTO about the same issue.

You've been so shady S. Korea that we lost trust in you. The way you handle relationship with Japan has to change. We can't have a relationship or be allies if you Hate Japan

7 ( +11 / -4 )

This doesn't teach you how democracy should be like. It just tells how idiotic mobocracy and emocracy are

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I don't think the verb " to be embarassed" is the right verb to be used. The right verb to be used is "to not have the knowledge".

Sometimes we say expressions that show that we are sorry but not with meaning of recognizing such thing that the person said, but with the purpose to not offend the person who clearly have wrong idea of Japan. For instance, I know that Japan invested on Korea during colonial times, but if I realize the Korean person is not prepared to listen to the true and get mad very easy, I will say "Ok" so I will not offend his pride and will end the subject in that time. It is called common sense, you know the truth, but say ok just to end the subject.

Another thing that SJ and some don't understand that history was not meant to teach students to hate other people, but yeah to help students to comprehend the importance of their ancestors for them to have what they have today. For instance, teaching kids about the value of being bombed and still overcome such suffering. This kind of teaching is more worthy to be taught because it helps new generation to know that they are supposed to do in times of hardship. Now, things like who kill, who destroyed or whatever actually doesn't really help new generation to improve their lives. On the contrary, they may get angry what is not the purpose of history.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Just to understand this situation, isn't south Korea own by 3 major family businesses? I am sure those business family members are enjoying a good life either in the USA, London or even in Tokyo. Or are they among the protesters? I doubt it very seriously. Now that we are in the subject of SK, how come there are so many adopted Korean kids in the States, England, Australia, New Zealand etc. Weren't SK able to take care of their own?Just curious. Anyways, I am very glad though that those kids got an opportunity for a better life.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Yes, and knowledge is a dangerous thing to your current leaders. Which seems to explain your posts.

Actually you misunderstand the concept of getting knowledge. Of course children needs knowledge about the past when it regards the History subject, but this knowledge should be based on things that brings hope and better result to new generation and teaching kids that Japanese killed her grandma will not give to those boys and girls the wish to have friendly and loving relationship with Japanese people, but yeah... leading those kids to hate Japanese. This is not the purpose of history at all.

In Japanese classroom things that are taught in Korea or China is not taught to their kids. It doesn't mean the Japanese wants to hide the truth, but it means that Japanese government focus is to make students to understand the importance of sacrifice that their ancestors did in order to new generation enjoy a better life. What you guys call "teaching" is actually indoctrination. In other words, Korean education purpose is to keep those students to live in the past while the Japanese ones is to giver value to those who sacrificed for them and made great steps so that young people today get benefited from it.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Dream2030Today  10:12 am JST

The recent retaliation of Abe government against South Korea is illegal

This guy certainly is not reading the news or he is just ignoring the fact that his government(SK) started this issue. The own Japan Today informed that South Korean Minister acknowledged that 156 cases of illegal exports to NK occurred giving then the reason to Japan to not trust on SK anymore. Why after all information you still want to insist that Japan's decision was illegal?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Fifteen thousand people? This amount of people cannot be compared with the ones in Hong Kong that gathered millions of protesters who want real democracy in Hong Kong.

The Korean media tell the number of protester, but never talk about the other side(the ones who dont agree with the k government). I just wonder if the majority of Koreans really support what Moon says or just are doing it for fear that others will harass them like some Koreans did with their citizen who supported Japan including the case of 93 years old who said that Korea was good during the time that Japan colonized Korea.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

SJ, Its a shame your ideas are shaped by a small subset of people you met once, in my experience people know what lead up to that outcome in the war.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Dream2020.

Like it it or not, and its a shame an agreement or a way around the problem could not be worked out but there is nothing illegal in taking a country of a preferred/privileged trading list.

as I said above facts are important and Japan isn’t stopping trade with South Korea or stopping it getting goods just it will take longer due to issues that sadly didn’t get sorted out.

and while people take to the streets to protest Japan and Japanese goods in South Korea, yesterday I saw Japanese people lining up in a store to buy South Korea food.. I’m not in South Korea right now but in Japan other than a very minor trade issue, that doesn’t stop trade, it’s all business as usual.

imagine you had a problem with your neighbor, perhaps he used to give his newspaper to you first because he didn’t use it, now he wants to read it first so it takes some time. Instead of working it out you protest outside his house about something his great grandfather did.....

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Japan payed for the damaged caused during WWII and apologized.

Furthermore most of the people that lived in that timeline are dead.

Why show all this hatred feeling to Japanese people that never killed a human being?

Maybe Korea should knock at the door of China and even Mongolia to ask money for the conquering and damaged caused.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

These are young and tunnel visioned Koreans who were wrong educated, uncivilized and brainwashed by Korean style communist leaders.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

SJ

there are peaceful street protests in Japan fairly regularly.

not every Japanese person supports the current party in power.

Im not saying Japan is perfect because it isn’t, nowhere is, but why insinuate things about Japan that simply aren’t true.

Sounds like the beginnings of nationalism and racism, and when be start dehumanizing a group of people that’s when things can get really dangerous.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

There is some political apathy here no argument but in the same way like almost every person who has visited here who had concerns about long past history have found Japanese people to be friendly helpful and mostly welcoming.

(there are some issues with large tour groups who aren’t aware of local customs and behaviors but that’s not South Koreans if I had to generalize)

Young Japanese people who mostly embrace South Korea now have a country that seems to hate them, I’m sure they are confused and sad about it... not a great way to build a good future.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Too many people all over the country don't work everyday for such protests. S Korea's economy is bad now and gets much worse, finally it would fall in IMF care again. US and Japan would not help any more.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

These people acting like it happened without any warning.

Japan repeatedly warned and asked South Korean Government for documents showing that they are making sure that they are not exporting these materials outside of South Korea.

South Korea ignored all these warnings and instead constantly threatened Japan. Now they are paying the price and that is by being removed from "special" privilege and having to go through regular procedures like the rest.

If they want to get mad, blame their own incompetent government. All this could have been avoided if they just showed proof that they can be trusted with these materials.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"Let's end humiliating South Korea-Japan relations."

A famous Korean tweeted "White List meaning" suddenly risen in word-search ranking in SK, which

proves most of the people don't know what it means.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Wonder they don't work everyday? Or they don't have job? Better use SNS for such protesting, they can both work there and protest in network. I thought Koreans love much more SNS than such time-consuming walking standing protests. If someone died of heatstroke there, life seems more miserable. Better work everyday hard. Japanese work harder now.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It seems the SK people have nothing better to do. Why don’t they just write or call their politicians to do their jobs. Japan is not their country to demand how to run. It is better for SK government to look towards the future than to look towards the past. There is not even one government official in the Japanese government that was there during when Korea was colonized.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Instead of encouraging young people to hate Japanese, the Korean school should encourage their students how to overcome their problems that they have.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Oh, let me work it out.

You also removed the one with the response relating to Islamophobia

You also removed the one including details of American war deaths.

Was there another?

What's your bias here?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I love coffee, I haven’t seen that view expressed in Japan almost at all, certainly not that extreme. I have in all my years here only talked to one old man that expressed something like that. Normal people, like everywhere are mostly just getting on with their lives and in the most part are supportive of good relations with South Korea if possible. It’s culture and food promoted regularly on television here.

be careful about painting with too bigger brush, that is racism and nationalism which is dangerous.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

SJ, war is sad. Everyone loses. but an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

Part of my cultural heritage means my family was targeted for genocide during the war.. the numbers there too are unclear different estimates from all around. I hold no desire for revenge or require anything from those countries, only to watch out for the warning signs of those types of activities again.

Nationalism, de-humanising others, claiming territory outside of the status quo, government control of information and gatherings things like this are what we have to watch out for..

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Indeed I literally saw Japanese people lining up yesterday to buy South Korean food from Koreans here in Japan.

I want desperately for the relationship to be better but it does appear difficult if every issue ends up being in the context of historical issues, and Im not even saying there isn't conversations to be had but its pretty clear to me that countries that want to repair relationships need good will on both sides.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

@SJ Today 07:55 am JST

Unlike Japan, political views of people are diverse in S. Korea, and they are learning how to accommodate the opposite opinions, evolving into an open society.

Their political views are "diverse"? SJ, wake me up when the camera shows a bunch of protestors suggesting that Korea get out of this by unconditionally complying with international law, rendering our well known judgment unenforceable. Accompanied with measures that would prevent a repeat of this unfortunate incident. 

Until then, "diverse"?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Going from 0-100 escalation, diplomacy is not the preferred method of engagement I assume. This issue developed quite rapidly.

I guess politicians need to save face, so no room for negotiation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think this is good thing for both Japan and Korea. Let all emotions out so future generation can truly move on without keep being dragged into the past. I am not saying to forget the history. Forgive but not forget.

Just my opinion though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Anybody surprised about this? Predictable really. Nothing's ever new in SK.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

since1981

Looks to me like they were paid, rather than 'paid' to protest ...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

To be honest, by analyzing all comments from SK supporters I concluded that they are lost. No matter how many times we show links, videos, and statement from Japanese government explaining that such decision was not based on history issues, they are still insisting that it was a "retaliation".

According to JT some days ago the South Korea minister said that he admitted that 156 cases of illegal export was made to North Korea, yet Korean sympathizer insist that Japan's decision was illegal.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This Dream2030 suddenly showed up by creating new account. Weird.

Anyway this Dream2030 posting only to Korean topics which is the very reason mods restricted me to post

any comments. Moreover, this Dream2030 and SJ clearly occupying the comment section by boring stereotyped messages. People are quite fed up with these guys. Is this what mods want it to be?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Dear Censor.

You did it again, didn't you?

Sorry, make that the above posts.

You allow them to post their prejudiced crap, day in, day out, and yet you delete responses.

Is this japantoday.com or showajapantoday.com?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

But did you know that Japanese companies are suffering because no single approval was made since Abe removed SK from whitelist? Japanese adminstration should admit that it's a ban. But that would be deemed as illegal. 

The removal from white nation privilege only goes into effect after August 26. There are need for approval beyond the 3 chemicals at the moment. As for the chemicals, the process takes an average of 90 days and it only went into effect at the start of July so again there would be no approval.

Basically they are schedule for normal procedure. SK just needs to be patient since they are only reaping what they sowed.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

ken1911jp and indier99, can you trust "Chosun" newspapers that you are citing? It is a pro-Japanese-imperialist newspaper published in Korea but has been criticized for its spotty fact-finding journalistic reporting for years, having its history of collaboration with Japanese imperialists during Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula (1910–1945) and, after that, with Korean military dictators during the domestic authoritarian rule (1960s to 80s).

I hear you. I have always avoided that piece of garbage :)

But seriously, read my post again Dream2030. I was just quoting what another person said below.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So S. Koreans protest Japan not shipping vital products to S. Korea, but also initiate boycott against Japanese product. Ok.

It's like many S. Koreans profess their hate against Japan, yet operates many Japanese restaurants in the United States. What gives?

Make up your mind.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The enthusiasm for the country of SK people is wonderful. But In the first place SK should reinforce its trade management.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

As I have said many times, the most ridiculous irony is that those who are loudest to accuse Japan of distorting and ignoring history, are the very same people doing it to Japan.

Contrary to what was inferred before, there IS a stone memorial to the Korean victims of the A-bomb in Hiroshima Peace Park (some numbers of Korean victims number as high as 10% of casualties, both those who were forced to come to Japan AND Koreans that willingly moved to Japan).

It's also easy for the anti-Japan crowd to continually bury past apology statements and spout off that Japan has 'never' apologized for its past. And when these lies are exposed, then immediately spout off, it wasn't 'sincere' enough since it wasn't done on knees and through tears. There is never any end game with these rabid anti-Japan fanatics. Ever.

May 25, 1990: Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu, in a meeting with President Roh Tae Woo, said: "I would like to take the opportunity here to humbly reflect upon how the people of the Korean Peninsula went through unbearable pain and sorrow as a result of our country's actions during a certain period in the past and to express that we are sorry"

> January 1, 1992: Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, in a press conference, said: "Concerning the comfort women, I apologize from the bottom of my heart and feel remorse for those people who suffered indescribable hardships".

>

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@oldman_13 Today  10:40 pm JST

As I have said many times, the most ridiculous irony is that those who are loudest to accuse Japan of distorting and ignoring history, are the very same people doing it to Japan.

The more ridiculous is that Japanese leaders like to negate or reverse what their predecessors said. Japan has already lost its credibility.

https://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/06/09/kono-murayama-criticize-abe-over-70th-anniversary-war-statement/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/12/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-rejects-kangs-new-apology-call-comfort-women-issue/#.XUbjcOgzaUk

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/30/672423391/japan-times-newspaper-redefines-comfort-women-and-forced-labor

https://blog.goo.ne.jp/satoru-kihara/e/87524d735c458f849f8f3e6e875b8a87

0 ( +2 / -2 )

SJToday  11:19 pm JST

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

Your rationale is that the past history is irrelevant in your life. But without knowing the past, you can not face or solve the problems of today. Atomic-bomb victims is just one example: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL873WMNL87UBQU00B.html

http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=27496

Why does Abe try to revoke the Murayama Statement?

Don't get it. How come mods let this nonsense go on but restrict me posting only 3 posts a day.

This SJ not only ignores counter-proofs like just did old_man's response but endlessly repeats the same phrase even if refuted completely.

What do you want? SJ? What do you want to do with the old news article from 2015.

Since then, did Abe officially revoke either Kono-statement or Murayama-statement and issue Abe-statement?

Yes or No

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"But without knowing the past, you can not face or solve the problems of today". I agree tottally with you on this.

That is why I said that learning about ancestors who overcome their hardship and left his legacy is the most important thing to learn. If I learn how my ancestors did to overcome starvation, war and hardship, so I will know what I should do to overcome those problems.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

The purpose of history education is not encouraging hatred, but for better understanding. S. Koreans do not hate Japanese people, but oppose to Abe and the right-wing politicians. S. Koreans are rather sympathetic with native and obedient Japanese people brainwashed with distorted history education.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

This Dream2030 suddenly showed up by creating new account. Weird.

You should go on YouTube, specifically on videos about Japan's war crimes, and see the plethora of Japanese copy and paste warriors denouncing everything. They even go all chronological with dates and stuff lmao.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

As for the chemicals, the process takes an average of 90 days and it only went into effect at the start of July so again there would be no approval.

I see thanks for the info. Where did the average of 90 days come from?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My blood boils with anger seeing these ungrateful koreans. What a shame Korea. Almost every country in the world has moved on and is hoping for a peace and prosperous future but yet you're protesting for something meaningless and stupid. Kim Jong Un: "This does put a smile on my face."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Mitsuo Matsuyama

This is not protest, it's a boycott movement.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

indier99, I apologize myself to you. I did misread your previous comments (To my shame, it seems that I need to be more patient sometimes) and would absolutely agree to your clear points now. Appreciate your kind understanding :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kurisuchan714, Focus on the reality. Almost every person may agree to this at least. Abe government’s restrictions of exports to Korea is damaging the businesses and relations of other innocent Japanese and Korean companies and consumers and it will not end in a short term. Who was to get an immediate benefit from this dirty trade war?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

FT.com says Japan removed South Korea from the "white list" because of the dispute about compensation for forced labor during the second world war, but that is not the reason why. The export items, fluorinated polyimide, photoresists, and hydrogen fluoride etching gas, from Japan to South Korea, are the dangerous materials that they can create deadly weapons out of, and 30% of them are MISSING in South Korea. They could be exported from South Korea to North Korea or other countries for those countries to make the deadly weapons. Then, Japan had been asking South Korea WHERE THE MATERIALS GONE, yet South Korea NEVER ANSWERED to it. That's the reason why Japan had removed South Korea from the "white list" for worldwide safety.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

伊藤二刀斎俊介,

FT.com says Japan removed South Korea from the "white list" because of the dispute about compensation for forced labor during the second world war, but that is not the reason why....

What are your main information sources? Many international newspapers point out that Abe government has provided “no evidences” in fact. Do you believe Japanese media are likely free from the intervention by Abe government and its imperialist followers? The report of 2019 World Press Freedom Index of RWB/RSF has ranked Japan 67th out of 180 countries, which position may mean “not good”, while Korea 41th and the U.S. 48th. It also clearly explains that there is 'a climate of mistrust toward journalists ever since Shinzo Abe became prime minister again in 2012', though I myself still believe that there must be respected some of Japanese media.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The people posting here seem to understand the issue that caused this and are the ones really brainwashed.

The 1965 Treaty between SK and Japan and the San Francisco Treaty is a framework to waive legal responsibility of governments.

In the Treaty of San Francisco that was reached with the Allies in 1952, Japan abandoned its right to make claims resulting from the war. When victims of the atomic attacks filed lawsuits in Japan, Japan argued that individuals still had the right to make claims but had lost their right to diplomatic protection. In other words, the Japanese government could not take action to claim damages on behalf of Japanese citizens from the US or other Allied countries, but individuals who had suffered damage could still receive compensation by personally filing lawsuits in those countries. This argument was framed to absolve the Japanese government of the legal responsibility for its own citizens.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you argue it the same way. Korean Chinese can file a peronal lawsuit against Japan and its perfectly ok to do so regardless of treaty of 1965.

It is just the stance of Japanese government stating everything was taken care of the 1965 treaty and its not.

You can see this nonsense just by following court cases even filed by Japanese in Japan and US.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Anti-Japanese indoctrination is all kind of "teachings" or action that encourages people to go against everything relate to Japan or Japanese. Regardless of being true or not, such education in Korea and China has no purpose to improve relations with Japan at all. In fact, if anti-Japanese were not in high evidence, nobody would see protesters burning flags(rude behavior), killing Japanese birds(childish behavior), vandalizing Japanese properties as it happened some years ago in China, destroying Japanese cars, etc...

The major problem in China as well as Korea is anti-Japanese indoctrination. Denying such fact will not make you happy. On the contrary, it will lead those young from ROK and PRC to be stuck on the past while countries like Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore will be living in the present for future perspective.

I personally feel fine with Japan. Actually I think there is nothing that Japan can do to improve relations with ROK and PRC. Japan even tried to do so, apologized to them, made agreements with them, invested on their countries, and yet they are complaining about Japan for things that happened many decades ago.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Something I don’t understand....

on one hand South Korea wants Japan to open export of their goods

and on the other hand they ask to boycott japan products ...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

What now Korea supporters? Your Anti-Japan propaganda failed! I'm enjoying your efforts. Comment more. Your not doing your job right! ^^

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It has been years. The hatred is still going no matter who runs Japan. The hatred is more prominent now because Japan is finally doing something to counter SK's outright disrespect of any kind of agreement bw the 2 countries. It will die down again once Japan returns to being "obedient", passive and accepting.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

What are the differences between human beings and animals typically? Intelligence: human beings try to understand the present and the future through learning from the past history. Conscience: human beings feel guilty about hiding their crimes. Cooperation: human beings intend to find a solution to overcome mutual threats peacefully. It is an international common sense but (you can notice it from reading above comments: ) almost only Ave government and its followers deny that, often arguing that history is irrelevant to the present; hiding, and generating fake news about, Japanese imperialist war crimes, and even retaliating against other irrelevant companies and consumers. It is the reason why Abe government and its followers are the biggest threat to common citizens and humanity in real and a shame of Japan essentially.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

All Koreans learned and know the following event:

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%96%A2%E6%9D%B1%E5%A4%A7%E9%9C%87%E7%81%BD%E6%9C%9D%E9%AE%AE%E4%BA%BA%E8%99%90%E6%AE%BA%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6

From the history education, we learn how not to repeat the same mistake. Without history education and the subsequent reflection, the same will happen again and again.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Abe would argue that they are just removing SK from whitelist. But did you know that Japanese companies are suffering because no single approval was made since Abe removed SK from whitelist? Japanese adminstration should admit that it's a ban. But that would be deemed as illegal. These kamikaze attacks should stop.

"Exports of these chemicals have since ground to a halt. Showa Denko, a producer of etching gas, has not received approval for a shipment it filed with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in mid-July. Photoresist maker JSR was still waiting for the green light as July ended."

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-South-Korea-rift/Japan-suppliers-fear-lost-sales-as-export-controls-target-Seoul

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Korean newspapers have reported cases of improper use.

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051700338.html

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051780021.html

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Korean newspapers have reported cases of improper use.

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051700338.html

http://www.chosunonline.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/17/2019051780021.html

Strategic supplies that can be diverted to weapons of mass destruction, illegal exports from Korea surge

That was an incorrect report. The cases quoted in the article are failed attempts to export sensitive materials. They were exposed and stopped by the authorities. In fact, they are evidence of South Korea's effective export control system. :)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So they hate Japan, but they absolutely want to trade with Japan. And this is way to promote a good trade relationship?

Korean logic, I suppose....

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@WilliB

So they hate Japan, but they absolutely want to trade with Japan. And this is way to promote a good trade relationship?

Korean logic, I suppose...

No. They just have issue with Mr. Abe, some of his hard-right cabinet members and the Nippon Kaigi. :)

What Koreans like me want is solidarity with all the Japanese people who want a more progressive and pro-democratic Japan.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

ken1911jp and indier99, can you trust "Chosun" newspapers that you are citing? It is a pro-Japanese-imperialist newspaper published in Korea but has been criticized for its spotty fact-finding journalistic reporting for years, having its history of collaboration with Japanese imperialists during Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula (1910–1945) and, after that, with Korean military dictators during the domestic authoritarian rule (1960s to 80s).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

South Korea only humiliates itself on the world stage with its ranting and crying unceasingly.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Dream : then everyone should be happy ?

japan does not want to export and Korea wants to boycott...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Unlike Japan, political views of people are diverse in S. Korea, and they are learning how to accommodate the opposite opinions, evolving into an open society. Those demonstrations are just a part of it. There are more than 10 street demonstrations in Seoul everyday, and the S. Korean constitute and the government guarantee the freedom of assembly and association like other democratic countries. Unlike other countries, those street demonstrations are mostly peaceful, and nowadays people consider them a kind of street festival.

@SJ - Well said. 

This is similar to the 2012 mass protests in China when the Japanese government nationalized the Senkaku Islands. 

@IloveCoffee - The main difference is that in China there were riots, whereas in SK there are protests which young and old people take part.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Yeah, because insulting the country in question is going to bring the goodwill and trade benefits back...

Keep on being stupid South Korea.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Dong Yu, why do you think those who here criticize Abe governemnt are "communists"?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe has been so lucky so far. But 'he should never have introduced commercial weapons into a political dispute. Now he needs to compromise.' The "No Abe" movement should not be really about an issue of Japanese vs South Korean nationalism but it should be fundamentally against the re-birth of Japanese imperialist fascism.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

I ask again, and you may study history a little bit to answer it, as you have never been taught or heard in Japan.

Approximately how many Koreans were killed by the atomic bombs?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

SJ

Talking as adult I don't think learning about who kill my grandmother's brother is important because it is irrelevant nowadays. History is not meant to encourage people to hold grudge but to encourage young to have hope. As long history teach what our ancestor did to overcome hardship and what kind of values and legacy they gave to us, such thing is enough.

But for some countries like Korea perhaps such emphasis on negative things about Japan is important to given them pride(if we can call it good pride), but Japan doesn't need to teach it. In addition to that, asking questions like you are doing just made you seems immature as if you need attention from others or need someone to feel sorry for you by saying "Oh poor boy, Japan is bad boy ne? Dont cry, I'll give candy to you"

If I were a Korean I would be ashamed of this kind of attitude because it gives the image that Korean are poor. Do you want everyone think you are the poor? So think about it, you are just wasting your time on history when actually you could enrich your relationship with Japan.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Contrary to reports of tabloid-like Japanese newspapers, S. Koreans are still friendly to Japaneses. For example:

https://note.mu/tabi_gari/n/n0222be99d9e2

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Charles Martel, Abe governemnet of Japan told it will restrict the export and Korea people said then they will not buy Japanese goods....

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Who know? Just it may not be so easy job for Abe to find a solution for survival as a politician by creating new industries, relations, and social values with other partners: he has to buy more weapons from Trump; if he does not change, he will be left behind on the issues of North Korea and new political and economic opportunities; and, most of all, the way of his thinking itself is rooted in Japanese imperialist militarism. He could expect South Korea would be an easier target to strengthen his political position by destroying, though there can be some sacrifices. The same with what his imperialist ancestors have done since 100 years ago.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Since1981 and Nuno Lopes, it does not cost so much to make banners and pickets nowadays … Please stop narrowed-minded and shameful talking. What realizes justice is not so much money but citizens' conscience, as shown in the case of South Korea that has impeached ex-President Park Geun-hye with common citizens’ power.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Kurinton, don't you know that it is not anyone else but Abe government that is trying to stop individual victims seeking a justice and retaliating against irrelevant Japanese and Korean companies right now?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

Your rationale is that the past history is irrelevant in your life. But without knowing the past, you can not face or solve the problems of today. Atomic-bomb victims is just one example: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL873WMNL87UBQU00B.html

http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=27496

Why does Abe try to revoke the Murayama Statement?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The pitiful excuse of Abe government that the reason for its recent retaliation against Korean companies is “security” is nonsense and malicious. Abe government started to restrict companies from exporting chip-making materials to South Korea just after South Korea's Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies as the war criminals of WWII to compensate laborers as the victims that they used during Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Besides, even the U.S. government has not ever mentioned any problems such as the suspicions of “security” that Abe government wants to create.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Re-read above comments and do not distort the messages of them, like Abe government. They distinguish Japanese "common citizens" and Japanese "imperialists." Do not insult Japanese democracy. It has been achieved and kept by the sacrifices and efforts of diligent citizens with conscience and common sense and never by deceptive imperialist politicians.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Isn't the problem that such an retaliation of Abe government will seriously damage not only the two countries' but also other countries’ companies and consumers after all, as many other Asian and European countries worry about? Then, who will be happy? Abe government will be happy and that is the reason why they say Abe government’s recent retaliation against South Korea has a selfish political reason and illegal.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Abe government is falling into a vicious circle where one lie leads to another lie. Hopeless. A way to overcome  the threat from it, if any, will be enhancing cooperation among 'normal' Japanese and Korean citizens with conscience and common sense.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I love coffee, I haven’t seen that view expressed in Japan almost at all, certainly not that extreme. I have in all my years here only talked to one old man that expressed something like that. Normal people, like everywhere are mostly just getting on with their lives and in the most part are supportive of good relations with South Korea if possible. It’s culture and food promoted regularly on television here. be careful about painting with too bigger brush, that is racism and nationalism which is dangerous.

@NZ - You can say the same about SK when it comes to Japan.

Japanese restaurants everywhere, and up until recently 30% of foreign branded beer sold in SK was Japanese, and TV programmes promoting travel to Japan, with presenters travelling to remote corners of Japan that even seasoned travellers would have been unfamiliar with. Uniqlo is huge in SK, having outsold just about all other Korean brands with similar target market, and profits from SK rivals profits from the entire North American market. That is about to change though with the boycott movement.

Koreans who are in their 30s and 40s grew up on a steady diet of Japanese manga like Dr Slump, Dragonball and Slam Dunk, graduating to J-Rock bands like X-Japan in their teens. There have been times in the past where 6 out of 12 months, Japanese novels were bestsellers in Korea (overall, not just foreign books).

I often see you post about how the ordinary Japanese are fond of Korea (while seeming to resent perceived dislike of Japan by Korea), so here's the other side of the story for you. The vast majority of people in SK are more concerned about their own lives than political matters, even if SK citizens generally appear to be more politically minded than in Japan.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Now, Abe government should stop its puerile whining about South Korea’s trade systems. Even when its argument that South Korean Government did not provide some documents in time is true, such a delay in documentation cannot justify its illegal retaliation. The U.S. Institute for Science and International Security ranked Korea (17th) higher than Japan (36th) in strategic trade controls this year. Besides, the U.N. panels and other Japanese media have reported that Japan “exported” prohibited items to N. Korea for years. (Of course Abe government may have never provided them with any documents that it did not do so.)

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

why do you think the peace museums never mention that a substantial number of atomic-bomb victims were Koreans? And can you figure out how many Koreans were killed by the atomic bombs? Why do they intentionally omit Korean victims?

I've asked that same question to several Japanese right-wingers before. Their answer was, quote: "Because Koreans were Japanese citizens at the time. There were no Korean victims, because Korea was part of Japan, and therefore these people were not Korean, but Japanese".

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Though Japanese imperialists often deny the facts of their war crimes themselves, they are not limited into foreign land grab but do include much more than that: forced labor, sexual slavery, and other wrongdoings against innocent people. Just an example that show their nature and is well known to other international citizens, except the followers of Japanese imperialism, is at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contest_to_kill_100_people_using_a_sword .

Stop being an underling of Japanese imperialist Abe government and “hopeless”.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@Mitsuo Matsuyama

Your opinion is quite an interesting. Accepting your opinion, why do you think the peace museums never mention that a substantial number of atomic-bomb victims were Koreans? And can you figure out how many Koreans were killed by the atomic bombs? Why do they intentionally omit Korean victims?

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

William77, it is not true that Korean people hate Japanese people who never killed a human being. If they do, it may be just because they don’t know well about the common citizens of Japan. They hate mainly Abe government and its Japanese imperialist followers.

Can you believe this? Abe governemnt and Japanese imperialists did never officially apologize themselves to Korean victims for the losses and pains caused by their “war crimes”. It is because they still deny the facts of their “war crimes” themselves. If they did not do anything wrong, then, how can any of their apologies make sense sincerely? For example, they argue that Japan has paid a compensation to Korea in 1965. However, so far, neither Japanese nor Korean governments have ever officially and clearly told that the 1965 treaty settlement amount was paid as the compensation for the losses caused by Japanese “war crimes”. It was mainly for reestablishing diplomatic relations and Japan has taken the benefits of huge trade surplus from Korea since that till now. Even the Japanese imperialists will not want anyone to clarify the matters of criminal indemnity in details. That may be also the reason why Abe government mentions just "security", and not "compensation paid", officially as for the reasons for its retaliation against Korean companies recently.

Again, isn’t is a common sense that ‘repeating a vague "expression of remorse" cannot be an enough apology but is just deceptive to other citizens and victims, if denying the truth?

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

@Kazuaki Shimazaki Today 11:08 am JST

The Japanese tabloid didn't yet report the photos like the followings?

https://twitter.com/dak_dak_dak/status/1097085354945826817

http://www.gasengi.com/main/board.php?bo_table=commu07&wr_id=3826919

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

The recent retaliation of Abe government against South Korean companies is illegal because no government has right to stop each victim seeking a justice and to manipulate econmic systems for selfish political reasons. The decision of South Korea’s Supreme Court to order Japanese companies as the war criminals of WWII to compensate laborers as the victims that they used during Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula just accords with the conscience and common sense of international law.

As Abe government and its Japanese-imperialist followers disclose their intensions and nature, they will become the biggest threat to the common citizens of Japan and Korea in real, and, in near future, to those of the U.S. and other countries as well.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

@NZ2011

Political apathy makes a hotbed of ultra-right extremists around the world. Those young Koreans were once not so much interested in politics with the lowest voting rate among all age classes. Now they are changing, and I see some hope. Typically those young S. Koreans love the most Japanese culture, products and people. Now Abe sang suddenly enlightened them about the reality of Japanese politics, which is also positive. I am not quite sure about Japanese young people.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

@NZ2011 Today  08:46 am JST

SJ, Its a shame your ideas are shaped by a small subset of people you met once, in my experience people know what lead up to that outcome in the war.

Do you have any idea about how many Korean civilians were killed during the war? As I know, no Japanese I have met can figure out it. They do not want to know it.

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

@IloveCoffee

I once guided a group of graduate students from Tokyo university to historical sites around Busan, S. Korea. Some of them later confessed me that they were embarrassed that the explanation board in every Buddhist temple says the temple was burnt and destroyed 3 times, during the Mongolian invasion in the 13th century, the Japanese invasion in the 16th century, and the Korean war in the 20th century. They said they never heard or were taught about the invasion of the 16th century.

There are several peace museums in Japan, memorizing the victims of atomic bombs. They never explain why it happened.

-15 ( +7 / -22 )

How could Abe government commit such an illegal action without any restrictions? Japanese imperialists as the war criminals were not cleaned up. Like ‘deeply-rooted evils’, they undertook the political power and weakened the democracy of Japan even after WWII ironically. Especially Abe government has been nullifying even Obuchi's and other previous Japanese governments' policies and efforts.

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

I don't think the situation between the two countries has ever been this bad. This is similar to the 2012 mass protests in China when the Japanese government nationalized the Senkaku Islands. This is the first time i am actually seeing young Koreans mobilized and outraged against Japan like this. Usually the anti-Japanese demonstrations in South Korea are carried by old conservatives, and they are usually small and disorganized most of the time, but this is absolutely the first time i am seeing young Koreans, who usually like Japan, actually being politically involved, and organizing boycotts and protests.

I am still struggling to understand completely why did the Abe administration decide to impose these restrictions and retaliate in such a provocative manner. I understand why the nationalists in Japan hate Korea, but are they really that many of them as to make Abe seek their support by going against Korea? I don't know. I doubt the nationalists in Japan make up more than 30 percent of the population. I know the extreme ones that we see online are no more than half a million, there are probably less extreme ones that make up a bigger number.

I guess he did that to win support for the elections, but if that's true, it means the nationalists in Japan are more than i thought. They are probably divided between the extreme brutish ones, and the quiet ones. Now that the elections are over, i am guessing there might be a change in the government's position, unless they have other plans.

Looking at both sides, it's easy to see why there is so much animosity. I have talked with a lot of Japanese nationalists before, both in real life, and online, and i have talked with some Koreans too, both Koreans who hate Japan and Koreans who love Japan. It's absolutely scary how different their understanding and perception of reality is. It's like day and night.

From the Japanese nationalists perspective, Japan rescued Korea from being occupied by Russia. Japan never invaded Korea, the Koreans actually begged to be annexed by Japan, which was done in a purely legal way, and in fact, the Japanese at the time were reluctant on whether to annex Korea, but at the end, they did. During the annexation period, the Japanese modernized Korea by building roads, infrastructure, hospitals, schools etc. Prior to the annexation, Korea was a primitive backward country and Koreans couldn't even feed themselves, but it was the Japanese who modernized them and brought them to modernity and civilization. After the war ended, Japan gave Korea economic aid and technology, thanks to which Korea was able to become a developed economy. Korean economy was developed by Japan, and Japanese economic aid, and technology transfer. Samsung, Hyundai etc. all Korean companies exist because of Japan. Korea and Japan also agreed to settle the compensation issue, but Korea took the money and used it to develop their economy rather than give them to the victims, and now they are lying about it. Koreans lie about everything, their distort history, and they have anti-Japanese education. Korea has never done anything great in history, they have always been a vassal state of either China or Japan.

So, that's pretty much in short how the average Japanese views Korea. They have an utter contempt for Korea. They look down on them. For them, Korea is a nothing country that was developed by Japan. Japan is superior to Korea. In their mind, it is utterly unacceptable for Koreans to be protesting against Japan, because they should be thankful to Japan for modernizing them and building their economy. They are also angry that Koreans lie about the "invasion" and "war crimes" because there never was any invasion, and since there was no war, therefore there were no war crimes either.

This is in short how many Japanese view Korea.

Koreans on the other hand have a very different, almost the opposite, view of Japan. Many Koreans think Japanese people have Korean roots. Japanese Emperor is Korean. Korea gave Japan a lot during the early ages. Korea was a powerful Empire, but also peaceful, that was constantly under attack by the Japanese throughout history. Koreans always won against the Japanese. Eventually Japan occupied Korea, destroyed their country, and committed mass slaughters and war crimes. Thy also have the view that Kyushu belonged to Korea at one point, i forgot the details, but i did heard a similar claim. Pretty much Koreans have a very high opinion of their history, and low opinion of Japanese history. Koreans think they resisted the harsh Japanese occupation and invasion, and many Korean heroes died for their independence. They think many Korean companies were destroyed by the Japanese, and that the Japanese sabotaged their development, and tried to erase their culture and identity. They also think Korea gave Japan their writing system and religion.

In short, Korean's view of Japan is not the same as what the Japanese think Korean's view of Japan is, and should be.

As you can see, two polar opposites. Two extremes. There are truths to both sides, but most of it is not true, especially on the Japanese side. When you have millions of people sharing two massively different beliefs about each other, i don't see how conflict can be avoided. The very definition of conflict is not agreeing with each other. The opposite of conflict is mutual agreement. Regardless of how this particular trade dispute ends, there will be no end to the historical dispute between the two countries until both countries agree on at least most of their history, and then create common history textbooks so both nations can teach the SAME information.

Although to be fair, the situation regardless historical agreement in Europe isn't much different. I would say most European countries teach completely distorted history to their kids, and many Europeans view themselves as superior, and think their view of history is the only right one, while others are brainwashed. I guess one difference is that most Europeans have some sort of respect for each other, wheres for Koreans and Japanese, the other side is beneath consideration.

-17 ( +8 / -25 )

Unlike Japan, political views of people are diverse in S. Korea, and they are learning how to accommodate the opposite opinions, evolving into an open society. Those demonstrations are just a part of it. There are more than 10 street demonstrations in Seoul everyday, and the S. Korean constitute and the government guarantee the freedom of assembly and association like other democratic countries. Unlike other countries, those street demonstrations are mostly peaceful, and nowadays people consider them a kind of street festival. The grass-roots peaceful demonstrations eventually impeached the former pro-Abe president Park who foolishly colluded to make a deal on the wartime sex slaves while ignoring the victims.

-19 ( +9 / -28 )

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