The Fundamental Problems at the Heart of eJapan - The Back and Forth Rhetoric
Day 625, 15:59
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Published in Japan 
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by
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by Metic
Note: Being such a new citizen has its own advantages and I would like to start off by saying that I have not formed an opinion on either former Presidential candidates or even the arrival of the North Koreans for that matter! I hope that this article has been neutral in its facts and statements and that any potential errors be pointed out without any fingerpointing and accusations of being biased. I'll look into it and correct it!
Introduction
First item of the list, who am I? A relatively new citizen of eJapan born in Chungcheongnam-do. Initially, I joined under the pretense of becoming a South Korean, but instead was born as a Japanese. Over the time I've spent, I've really grown to like the place and am planning to stay in Japan beyond the creation of the South Korean state, at least in the short-term. In this article, I hope to address the problems that many tout, what has to be done, and a brief narration of what I saw unfold during the election cycle.
The Problem
Over the past week of being here, I've constantly heard members who reminisced about the old times, where all was joyful and polite, that the current mood has changed. Compare that to what seemed to be a shouting match last night makes it seem like we are indeed in a bleak situation. Both sides have their own valid opinions of the others. Whether they're actually true, well, that is a whole different story and I'm not here to debate that.
The root of the problem is this difference of opinions. Both sides sincerly believe that they are right and because of if it, will not back down. And no, I'm not implying that having your own opinion is wrong. The fact of the matter is that both parties (ie. people arguing for and against both candidates) engage in this "vicious" talk and accusations. Truth be told, any side who claims they were above the rhetoric and fighting is simply lying.
The Cure?
This is much more easier said than done, but both sides must take efforts to reconcile and to talk to each other. The election is past us and whether you like the results or not, they were obtained legally. Keeping the rhetoric ongoing is not of benefit to anyone.
Getting through this means that not only do we need to have the leaders try but arguably more importantly, the supporters. Actually, most of this hostility I've seen has come from the supporters and not the two candidates. However for this to really take off, I do look towards the leaders to take a firm lead in this regard, and not simply looking the other way.
Korea and its Role in the Presidential Election
It would seem that a great deal of the current rhetoric has been caused because of this past presidential election. In hindsight, most controversial of which is the endorsement of President Minamoto and the permission to run on the KNP ticket. At that point in time, the KNP was comprised solely of South Koreans and at I believe at thirty odd members. As the South Korean plans were being finalized, interaction with the old North Koreans started and visions of one Korea started appearing. The president of the KNP at this point even wrote an article whereas the first congressional seats would be divided in half for equal representation amongst the North and South Koreans.
At this point, North Koreans were encouraged, by use of several articles, to join the KNP in an effort to present united candidates and to be able to block any attempts at PTO in the congressional elections to take place right after South Korea's independance. It was this honest attempt to organize the party that caught flak amongst some Japanese and even the international community, that these former NKans were compromising Japan, a PEACE signatory. However when a vast majority of them were "backing" one particular candidate, especially when both candidates stated that they welcomed the North Koreans, it cannot be ignored. Now again, I don't want to argue about who's fault it is, but the end result is in fact what it appears to be.
One could argue that voting when you know you are leaving the nation is in bad taste and that the sudden surge in party members for the KNP was illegitimate, a plot if you will.
Or on the other hand, one can argue that these "Koreans" are Japanese and that no matter their "percieved" intentions, they retain Japanese citizenship, the vote is rightfully theirs to cast, and that you cannot possibly know their intentions.
There really is no right or wrong answer and is all what you percieve to be correct. Both sides have their own opinion about it and we once again get back to the root of the problem, a difference of opinions.
Conclusion
One can only hope that after a huge event like we've seen, that everyone has already vented their fair share. Hopefully, this does mark the beginning of an era where this sort of hostility will not be as prevelant because everyone has a stake in this turning out for the better.
Though one thing is clear, everyone, former South Koreans, former North Koreans, and Japanese, will all have to make an effort for this to have a chance... if this is indeed what you do wish for. In the end, different opinions are formed by everyone and while they may not be quite acceptable to all, no one is furthering their cause and creating any more sympathy from me by yelling and screaming.
That's for sure.
Introduction
First item of the list, who am I? A relatively new citizen of eJapan born in Chungcheongnam-do. Initially, I joined under the pretense of becoming a South Korean, but instead was born as a Japanese. Over the time I've spent, I've really grown to like the place and am planning to stay in Japan beyond the creation of the South Korean state, at least in the short-term. In this article, I hope to address the problems that many tout, what has to be done, and a brief narration of what I saw unfold during the election cycle.
The Problem
Over the past week of being here, I've constantly heard members who reminisced about the old times, where all was joyful and polite, that the current mood has changed. Compare that to what seemed to be a shouting match last night makes it seem like we are indeed in a bleak situation. Both sides have their own valid opinions of the others. Whether they're actually true, well, that is a whole different story and I'm not here to debate that.
The root of the problem is this difference of opinions. Both sides sincerly believe that they are right and because of if it, will not back down. And no, I'm not implying that having your own opinion is wrong. The fact of the matter is that both parties (ie. people arguing for and against both candidates) engage in this "vicious" talk and accusations. Truth be told, any side who claims they were above the rhetoric and fighting is simply lying.
The Cure?
This is much more easier said than done, but both sides must take efforts to reconcile and to talk to each other. The election is past us and whether you like the results or not, they were obtained legally. Keeping the rhetoric ongoing is not of benefit to anyone.
Getting through this means that not only do we need to have the leaders try but arguably more importantly, the supporters. Actually, most of this hostility I've seen has come from the supporters and not the two candidates. However for this to really take off, I do look towards the leaders to take a firm lead in this regard, and not simply looking the other way.
Korea and its Role in the Presidential Election
It would seem that a great deal of the current rhetoric has been caused because of this past presidential election. In hindsight, most controversial of which is the endorsement of President Minamoto and the permission to run on the KNP ticket. At that point in time, the KNP was comprised solely of South Koreans and at I believe at thirty odd members. As the South Korean plans were being finalized, interaction with the old North Koreans started and visions of one Korea started appearing. The president of the KNP at this point even wrote an article whereas the first congressional seats would be divided in half for equal representation amongst the North and South Koreans.
At this point, North Koreans were encouraged, by use of several articles, to join the KNP in an effort to present united candidates and to be able to block any attempts at PTO in the congressional elections to take place right after South Korea's independance. It was this honest attempt to organize the party that caught flak amongst some Japanese and even the international community, that these former NKans were compromising Japan, a PEACE signatory. However when a vast majority of them were "backing" one particular candidate, especially when both candidates stated that they welcomed the North Koreans, it cannot be ignored. Now again, I don't want to argue about who's fault it is, but the end result is in fact what it appears to be.
One could argue that voting when you know you are leaving the nation is in bad taste and that the sudden surge in party members for the KNP was illegitimate, a plot if you will.
Or on the other hand, one can argue that these "Koreans" are Japanese and that no matter their "percieved" intentions, they retain Japanese citizenship, the vote is rightfully theirs to cast, and that you cannot possibly know their intentions.
There really is no right or wrong answer and is all what you percieve to be correct. Both sides have their own opinion about it and we once again get back to the root of the problem, a difference of opinions.
Conclusion
One can only hope that after a huge event like we've seen, that everyone has already vented their fair share. Hopefully, this does mark the beginning of an era where this sort of hostility will not be as prevelant because everyone has a stake in this turning out for the better.
Though one thing is clear, everyone, former South Koreans, former North Koreans, and Japanese, will all have to make an effort for this to have a chance... if this is indeed what you do wish for. In the end, different opinions are formed by everyone and while they may not be quite acceptable to all, no one is furthering their cause and creating any more sympathy from me by yelling and screaming.
That's for sure.
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Comments
I my self am a Hokkaido resident but I didn't choose the other parties except for the Korean National Party. I'm not sure if I'm the only native Japanese citizen who joined up with the party but I did.
And I hear ya man I'm new as well and hearing all this just doesn't jive well with me.
You speak with wisdom beyond the years of an aged sage.
Here's hoping we can reconcile the relations between eJapan and eNorth Korea. Peace in the Asian continent... wasn't that our goal?
Let us welcome North Korean refugees, really make them FEEL WELCOME, and see if we can't come to agreement with them. It may be tough, but nothing that was ever worth fighting for was easy.
~ Geno Garon
"especially when both candidates stated that they welcomed the North Koreans"
Stated is once is one thing, but actually backing that statement up with every reply and actions toward the NKers? Only one candidate did that...and what do you know he ended up winning the election.
That was not the point of this article. I fully accept that Minamoto reached out to North Koreans and I never disputed this fact. And I fully accept Minamoto as our new president.
The huge part is that we're judging each other from the actions of very select individuals. And that's the point that kills us. Assuming that the whole other "side" feels the same way, when I'm sure not every North Korean, not every Japanese feels the way that it has been portrayed.
The election is decided. Lets move on. I want to see the new President take some decisive and prompt action to move the debate forwards on how we can improve the nations.
Anyone still not happy with the way things turned out can always go to the Market and buy a moving ticket if they're so bothered with the way eJapan is evolving.
I don't think the issue was a few select citizens, it was a significant bloc of citizens, some of them in the Japanese government, not only disparaging all Koreans for performing their civic duty as Japanese citizens, imagining some kind of dark ulterior motives. It came down to discrimination.
I've said more than my piece, as a new citizen I feel it is my responsibility to speak out. But I agree with others. The situation has passed, let us see what the government does now. If people continue to speak against former Koreans, then there will be an issue. But for right now, the governance of japan should be at the forefront of everyone's mind.