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alp227

(31,962 posts)
Fri Nov 29, 2013, 02:38 PM Nov 2013

New 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 — Tokyo’s 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.” They’ve 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 don’t 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

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New enmity between Japan and Korea plays out in Tokyo’s Koreatown (Original Post) alp227 Nov 2013 OP
My father married a woman who was AsahinaKimi Nov 2013 #1
There are definitely more interracial marriages in Korea now davidpdx Dec 2013 #4
So really, it's not "new enmity" between *Japan* and *Korea* Art_from_Ark Nov 2013 #2
I'd say those few Japanese who hate Korean, hate most Korean davidpdx Dec 2013 #5
Japanese teabaggers can be quite vocal Art_from_Ark Dec 2013 #7
Yeah that is obnoxious davidpdx Dec 2013 #8
Can you read the Korean text? Art_from_Ark Dec 2013 #11
No, I can't read it very well. Can make out some letters davidpdx Dec 2013 #14
Japan spent 50 years trying to be the most hated country in Asia Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2013 #3
China itself has a lot to apologize for Art_from_Ark Dec 2013 #6
Major difference. That is an internal issue. Mao never invaded China. Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2013 #9
Mao did invade Tibet, though Art_from_Ark Dec 2013 #10
Tibet declared itself independent of China in 1932. If Mao didn't do it after the Civil War if the Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2013 #12
Mao weissmam Dec 2013 #13
Actually, most run of the mill Chinese don't even care about him anymore Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2013 #15

AsahinaKimi

(20,776 posts)
1. My father married a woman who was
Fri Nov 29, 2013, 07:17 PM
Nov 2013

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)
4. There are definitely more interracial marriages in Korea now
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 01:14 PM
Dec 2013

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)
2. So really, it's not "new enmity" between *Japan* and *Korea*
Sat Nov 30, 2013, 01:01 AM
Nov 2013

It's just outward enmity by *a few Japanese idiots* toward *some Koreans in Japan*.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
5. I'd say those few Japanese who hate Korean, hate most Korean
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 01:16 PM
Dec 2013

Of course as I always like to say, every country has their teabaggers.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
7. Japanese teabaggers can be quite vocal
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 05:04 PM
Dec 2013

Sometimes they will drive around in big trucks blaring out old war songs. This one looks especially creepy.





Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)
11. Can you read the Korean text?
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 07:36 PM
Dec 2013

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)
14. No, I can't read it very well. Can make out some letters
Tue Dec 3, 2013, 12:17 AM
Dec 2013

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)
3. Japan spent 50 years trying to be the most hated country in Asia
Sun Dec 1, 2013, 06:38 AM
Dec 2013

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)
6. China itself has a lot to apologize for
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 04:44 PM
Dec 2013

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)
9. Major difference. That is an internal issue. Mao never invaded China.
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 07:26 PM
Dec 2013

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.

 

Nanjing to Seoul

(2,088 posts)
12. Tibet declared itself independent of China in 1932. If Mao didn't do it after the Civil War if the
Mon Dec 2, 2013, 09:33 PM
Dec 2013

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.

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