Asian Group
Related: About this forumNew enmity between Japan and Korea plays out in Tokyo’s Koreatown
By Chico Harlan, Updated: Friday, November 29, 9:07 AM E-mail the writer
TOKYO The main streets of Shin-Okubo Tokyos Koreatown are lined with smoky barbecue restaurants and overlit cosmetics emporiums. Staircases lead down to basement music venues and up to hidden drinking holes.
Japanese once thronged the neighborhood, which is home to many ethnic Koreans and known for its fiery food and late nights. But in recent months the crowds have thinned, replaced by anti-Korean protesters who have turned Shin-Okubo into a rough barometer of deteriorating Japan-Korea relations.
On occasional weekends this year, megaphone-wielding demonstrators have taken to the streets, telling the Koreans to go home or die. Theyve threatened to flatten this neighborhood and build a gas chamber in its place. The Koreans say that they and the police have little recourse against the threats, because Japan is one of the few democracies that dont restrict hate speech.
The protesters are a small but noisy lot, and their strident anti-Korean stance is viewed with contempt by most Japanese. But the demonstrations have caused damage nonetheless, not only disrupting a neighborhood, but also providing kindling for the South Korean media, which portray the behavior as a frightening norm, not an extreme.
full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/new-enmity-between-japan-and-korea-plays-out-in-tokyos-koreatown/2013/11/28/974c91cc-528b-11e3-9ee6-2580086d8254_singlePage.html
AsahinaKimi
(20,776 posts)Half Japanese and Half Korean. So I have both blood in me. Though the idea maybe difficult for them to swallow, more mix marriages might solve the problem. The problem is that many Japanese men don't wish to marry and Japanese women want to but not with a lot of enthusiasm, having seen how their parents have turned out. Marrying a Korean guy or Korean women who live in Japan might spark some romance. I know there has even been some Jdorama's about Korean guys marrying Japanese women or Japanese guys marrying Korean women. I wonder if that might start happening some day...
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)than say 15 years ago. I can't speak to what is going on in Japan, but my guess is it is similar. Both countries are experiencing a watering down of their bloodline from being homogeneous to multicultural. Those that are the hardliners (in both countries) who are bitter from the past history of the two countries will die and hopefully the newer generation will be more understanding.
It is also worth noting it's just not Japanese vs. Korea, but also Chinese vs. Japanese and Chinese vs. Koreans. In short, Asian countries are one big fucked up family.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)It's just outward enmity by *a few Japanese idiots* toward *some Koreans in Japan*.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Of course as I always like to say, every country has their teabaggers.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)Sometimes they will drive around in big trucks blaring out old war songs. This one looks especially creepy.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)A banana in their tailpipe would be a good start.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)The Japanese text below it reads, "Korea, leave Takeshima Island".
I think Japan and Korea should just draw a line through the center of the island and have a Korean half and a Japanese half.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I don't think the half and half thing would work. They'd still complain about which half they have. Someone would always bitch and moan about what happens.
The Chinese defense zone is just going to make things worse.
Nanjing to Seoul
(2,088 posts)They butchered, massacred, raped and pillaged without remorse.
Japan must understand that until it makes a complete apology and acts of contrition, this kind of thing will never go away.
Remember, the Koreans never invaded and murdered Japanese people. Neither did the Chinese, or the Singaporeans or the Filipinos.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)The greatest mass murderer of all time is still honored by having his ugly mug on Chinese currency and on a huge picture looming over the Forbidden City.
Nanjing to Seoul
(2,088 posts)The Japanese invaded China and butchered without remorse.
And, being in China, you're right. Mao is viewed as a murderer and a hypocrite by the run of the mill Chinese not in northern China.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)which was not part of China.
Nanjing to Seoul
(2,088 posts)KMT won, Chiang Kai-Shek would have done the same.
Just because someplace declares independence does not me it is. It took us six years to get our independence after we declared it on 1776.
I do believe, living in China and getting my PhD in Chinese history, I have a bit more first hand knowledge. Also, I've been to Tibet. . .twice.
You know they don't talk a lot about him anymore