SJ comments

@zichi

Fish caught off the Fukushima coast but landed in Tokyo becomes Tokyo fish.

Actually, most of Pacific saury popularly consumed in S. Korea is caught in the high sea near Fukushima, but becomes Taiwanese fish. Nobody mentions it, except me. Fact does not matter in people's emotional panic.

A major difference here is that the majority of S. Koreans oppose and condemn the chauvinistic, totemic and instigating proposal from a minority; whereas many Japanese people as seen in this site would cheer up a similar jingoistic anti-S. Korean proposal by Abe administration or other right-wing groups. At least, education and democracy is working in S. Korea.

BTW, the average education and moral level of those members of provincial legislature in S. Korea may be represented by the following example: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/01/251_261876.html

FYI, some of them are just like mobsters (yakuza). I know that yakuza can not represent the Japanese people. Those mobster-like politicians are rare, but ubiquitous around the world.

Very interesting and tempting. Just need some info on price to plan a travel by the luxury train.

There are several other islands called as the same name Takeshima (竹島 bamboo island) in Japan, and please find any island where there is no bamboo.

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%B9%E5%B3%B6

No 1. 竹島 (愛知県) - 愛知県蒲郡市の島

No 2. 竹島 (鹿児島県) - 鹿児島県三島村の島

No 3. 竹島 (熊本県) - 熊本県天草市の島

No 4. 竹島 (宮城県) - 宮城県南三陸町の島

No 5. 竹島 (山口県) - 山口県山口市の島

No 6. 多景島 - 別名「竹島」。琵琶湖の島の1つ

@showchinmono

You had better read if you always demand outside sources before you post. Ulsan-island in the link is your Jukdo.

That is a typical deceptive tactic of Japanese government. Wherever Usan (not Ulsan) was located, this document intentionally omits Jukdo, the bamboo island.

Jukdo (죽도/竹島) is a small island adjacent to Ulleungdo, South Korea, in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). It was formerly also known as Jukseodo (죽서도/竹嶼島) in Korea and China and as Boussole Rock in Europe. It lies 2 km (1 mi) east of Ulleungdo, and is the largest island in the group apart from Ulleungdo itself. In 2004, one family of three members was living on the island.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jukdo_(island)

Although Jukdo is a part of Ulleung island, the ancient Japanese fishermen clearly recognized Jukdo as Takeshima as a small island near Ulleungdo island. Whatever the Japanese government deceives and distorts, it is simple and clear that

Bamboo island = Jukdo = Takeshima = ****죽도/竹島 = 죽서도/竹嶼島 = Boussole Rock

In the world, only the Japanese government tries to complicate and distort this simple relationship in naming.

The truth is always simple and clear.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/takeshima/page1we_000057.html

This document of the Japanese government never mentions the real bamboo island, Jukdo, located 2 km east of Ulleung island. Jukdo is one of popular destinations for tourism in Korea. It will be a good idea for Japanese people to visit the real Takeshima as an celebrating event for the Japanese Takeshima Day. You will be surprised at the ubiquitousness of bamboo there. I hope the Takeshima day will boost tourism in Jukdo, the real bamboo island.

http://www.koreatriptips.com/en/tourist-attractions/2358793

https://www.gettyimages.co.nz/videos/island-of-jukdo

@showchinmono

Your claim above is merely a kind of layman-level. Check Japan's official stance before you post.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/takeshima/page1we_000057.html

Why is the content of the web document so complicated even just regarding naming? When you tell a lie, then the logic becomes complicated.

The Korean name is simply 'Dokdo' 獨島, which originally tried to express the old Korean name of the island 'dol seom', literally meaning 'rock island', by Chinese written characters. In Ulleungdo of Korea, you can see 'Dokdo' when the sky is clean. In Japan, you never can see it, even with a telescope.

I think S. Koreans are also partially responsible for this dispute. They should have never responded seriously to the comical Japanese territorial claim but laughing out loud.

Wake up. The Japanese 'Takeshima' 竹島 is composed of two big rocks 獨, not of bamboos 竹. Tell the Japanese government to come with a correct name first before arguing. Or, do the Japanese leaders believe they can plant and grow bamboos on the two rocks? Good luck!

The territorial claim of the Japanese government on Takeshima is even comical. Japanese people know what 'Takeshima' literally means: bamboo island 竹島, but there is no bamboo in Takeshima. Has any Japanese here thought about this discrepancy?

There is another small island called 'bamboo island' (Jukdo 竹島 in Korean)  at 2 km (1 mile) east of Ulleungdo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jukdo_(island)

You may see those abundant bamboos there: https://wayfaringflaneur.com/2018/09/02/jukdo%EC%A3%BD%EB%8F%84-bamboo-island/

Long times ago, Japanese fishermen certainly recognized the existence of Jukdo 竹島 near Ulleungdo island. At that time, Takeshima did not designate the Liancourt Rocks, but Jukdo to Japanese fishermen.  Both Jukdo and Ulleungo are now Korean territories that Japan and the other countries acknowledge. Now the Japanese government claims the territorial right with a wrong name or a wrong location. Wake up. There is no bamboo in the Japanese 'Takeshima'.

Asians tend to hate the Japanese government and leaders, not Japanese people.

People are kind and the streets are clean in Japan. Above all, the prices of food, drink and accommodation are reasonable. There are low-cost airlines to Japan. These factors contribute to the steady increase of tourists in Japan.

@Brandon Sherman

If Japan are "Brazen Theives" for backing out of a deal after being verbally attacked, does that make south Korea Bernie Madoff for embezzling Hundreds of millions of dollars meant for victims of WWII then constantly demanding more?

Demanding more? When do you think is the last time S. Korean government demand?

Here some mention monetary issues, but remember that money is an optional and secondary issue. Offering money without apology is just blatant. That was why S. Koreans and most survived comfort women opposed the 1965 treaty and the 2015 agreement. Nowadays S. Korea is a rich country, no longer in desperate need of money.

For example, S. Koreans donated a total of $46 million to Japan for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami: https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/post-earthquake-japan-korea-ties/ . Even a Korean Japanese, Masayoshi Son, who has been discriminated for his life time in Japan, alone donated 10 billion yen at that time. You may count how many S. Korean companies donated among the 5 top five list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami#Corporate_donations

Not money, but a formal apology from the Japanese head of state, who can officially represent a nation called Japan, should be the first step, but he or his father have never apologized to Koreans regarding various atrocities committed during the WWII, not to mention the comfort women issue. I know nobody teaches or mentions this fact in Japanese schools.

His latest statement regarding the atrocities during the WWII was "痛惜の念" (deep sorrow) made while visiting S. Korea in 1990 just after his inauguration, which sounded to Koreans as a derision rather than an apology. Why is it so difficult for him to apologize straightforwardly? Because of the political pressure from the right-wing groups?

Just one sentence of sincere apology from the Japanese head of state will solve those problems that persisted for more than 70 years between the two countries all at once. It does not require even 1 yen. Why is it so difficult in Japan?

@nothisrealname

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

If they were sincere, then why has Akihito, the de facto head of state of Japan, never apologized sincerely? Why did Abe retreat those apologies later?

People sometimes compare those showing that kind of tricky and coward attitude to 'brazen thief'.

@smartacus

It's my recollection that South Korean President Moon recomended Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Maybe Trump confused the two and now Abe doesn't want to be embarrassed to admit he didn't nominate Trump.

No. Highly unlikely. Trump mentioned "the most beautiful copy of a letter".

And, the media report as follows:

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also suggested at the time that the US leader would be a worthy recipient. But a presidential spokesperson said Monday that Moon had not nominated him, nor had any plan to personally nominate Trump in the future.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/18/asia/trump-abe-nobel-prize-intl/

Japan is also an interesting country like the U.S. in that citizens sometimes can elect and support so much quixotic leaders who are at least better than dictators. The leaders are sometimes even entertaining to dance together.

Why is it so difficult for the Japanese head of state, Akihito, to apologize sincerely? That is just a kind of easy lip service, but can settle all sentimental conflicts between the two countries persisting during the past 70 years. Apology does not mean humiliation, but a very humane act for the future. Wake up.

While a few Japanese tabloid-like newspapers such as Sankei distort the legal interpretations and instigate anti-Korean sentiment among Japaneses, a Korean newspaper introduced the historical contexts of this verdict and the Japanese government response.

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/870655.html

The official response of the Korean government on the Japanese government claims.

http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/rw-en/brd/m_9983/view.do?seq=758681

@Kazuaki Shimazaki

If you are a top professional lawyer in Japan, you first have to respect any verdict of the Supreme court of any country. If you do not, you are just a layman vulnerable to manipulation and brainwash by political demagogues. You have never provided any external source expressed by professional lawyers to support your arbitrary claims and interpretations. It is your opinion, not of professional lawyers. Of course, you have the right to express your opinion whatever it is.

In this article, 'marriage' is a legal process. In many countries, adults can legally adopt children born by other couples and the children from other biological parents become the legal dependents. Both adults and children can seek happiness, although they are not biologically related. The same rationale can be applied to the same-sex marriage. Legal status of 'marriage' means a lot in the finance and political right of the couples for seeking happiness, for example: education cost of adopted children, pension, medicare, residency of foreigners, and etc.

@bamboo

Even you do not understand the legal interpretations of Japanese lawyers, how can you dare to interpret arbitrary the various international treaties? Even professional lawyers have challenging difficulties in interpreting international treaties in relation to domestic laws. Like other a few brave but layman Japaneses here, I will no longer reply to such baseless and arbitrary claims without citing external sources.

@Bamboo

I am sure you can read English and Japanese. For your questions, read again the interpretations of Japanese legal experts until you can understand:

http://justice.skr.jp/estatement.html (Enlgish)

http://justice.skr.jp/statement.html (Japanese)

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Opinion of Japanese legal experts on the verdict of S. Korea Supreme court regarding forced wartime labor:

http://justice.skr.jp/estatement.html (Enlgish)

http://justice.skr.jp/statement.html (Japanese)

Nevertheless, nowadays political demagogues instigating hatred among people are prevalent around the world. It is a sad trend.

Ironical is that Europeans had decimated most of now exterminated or endangered species of whales and dolphins around the world. Now they suddenly became the most advocate of animal right including dolphins. The same is for carbon dioxide emission and green house effects. Europeans may look hypocritical, but the global trend is to protect dolphins, which Japan will have to follow soon.

Everybody is a right to pursue happiness, as long as not harming other people. Why do people try to interfere and force their own belief on other people's life? It is just a start of hatred and violence. Ignorance causes fear, fear causes hatred, and hatred causes violence.

Here some Japanese mention monetary issues, but remember that money is an optional and secondary issue. Offering money without apology is just blatant. That was why S. Koreans and most survived comfort women opposed the 1965 treaty and the 2015 agreement. Nowadays S. Korea is a rich country, no longer in desperate need of money. For example, S. Koreans donated a total of $46 million to Japan for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami: https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/post-earthquake-japan-korea-ties/ . Even a Korean Japanese, Masayoshi Son, alone donated 10 billion yen at that time.

Thus, a formal apology from the Japanese head of state, who can officially represent a nation called Japan, is should be the first step, but he or his father have never apologized to Koreans regarding various atrocities committed during the WWII, not to mention the comfort women issue. I know nobody teaches or mentions this fact in Japanese schools.

His latest statement regarding the atrocities during the WWII was "痛惜の念" (deep sorrow) made while visiting S. Korea in 1990 just after his inauguration, which sounded to Koreans as a derision rather than an apology. Why is it so difficult for him to apologize straightforwardly? Because of the political pressure from the right-wing groups?

In the case of Japan, prime ministers can not represent Japan as a nation. Only the current head of state, Akihito, can represent Japan. Maybe, the burden will handed over to his son.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_heads_of_state_and_government

Just one sentence of sincere apology from the Japanese head of state will solve those problems that persisted for more than 70 years between the two countries all at once. It does not require even 1 yen. Why is it so difficult in Japan?

Whether Akihito is the Japanese head of state or not, as Japanese people like to argue here, does not matter here. The point is that just one sentence of sincere apology from him (or his son later) will solve those problems that persisted for more than 70 years between the two countries all at once.

Yes. Japanese are wonderful people who can make diplomatic relationships with other countries even without knowing who is their head of state. As long as it is a domestic issue, it does not matter so much who is the head of state. But as a matter of international affairs, S. Koreans consider it exactly the same as the English Wikipedia describes. If your guys have better try to persuade the English Wiki instead of me. Again, what a wonderful country and people!

@Triring

The head of states in Japan is the Prime Minister.

Your Japanese guys never disappoints me. Japan has a marvelous education system.

The Emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family and the head of state of Japan. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Japan

The Japanese head of state, who can officially represent a nation called Japan, has never apologized to Koreans regarding various atrocities committed during the WWII, not to mention the comfort women issue. I know nobody teaches or mentions this fact in Japanese schools.

His latest statement regarding the atrocities during the WWII was "痛惜の念" (deep sorrow) made while visiting S. Korea in 1990 just after his inauguration, which sounded to Koreans as a derision rather than an apology. Why is it so difficult for him to apologize straightforwardly? Because of the political pressure from the right-wing groups?

In the case of Japan, prime ministers can not represent Japan as a nation. Only the current head of state, Akihito, can represent Japan. Maybe, the burden will handed over to his son.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_heads_of_state_and_government

Just one sentence of sincere apology from the Japanese head of state will solve those problems that persisted for more than 70 years between the two countries all at once. It does not require even 1 yen. Why is it so difficult in Japan?

@SpeedToday

Here's a tip for you S. Korea. Go dig up Emperor Hirohito and beg him to apologize. HE was there. Not Akihito or Naruhito.

I know it is a joke, but even Hirohito would not be eligible to represent Japan now, if he is still alive. In relationships between nationals, who can officially represent a nation does matter. In the case of Japan, prime ministers can not represent Japan as a nation. Only the current head of state,  Akihito, can represent Japan. I see a lot of problems in Japanese education and schools.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_heads_of_state_and_government