
Osaka group protests Sanseito leader's use of anti-Korean slur in election speech
The Korea NGO Center, an Osaka-based incorporated nonprofit organization working to ensure the rights of foreign nationals in Japan and bring about an inclusive society, filed the protest July 18 following Kamiya's use of "chon," a pejorative term for people from the Korean Peninsula. The center is demanding that the party announce how it perceives the case and issue an apology.
During a street speech in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, on July 18, Kamiya refuted criticism against Sanseito's proposal for a new Constitution, saying, "We are being derided, being called idiots, stupid and chon." Immediately afterward, he said, "You can cut that," and stated, "I'm sorry. I amend that."
In its letter of protest, the center pointed out, "It is obvious that (Kamiya) made the remark while understanding that it is a discriminatory word." The letter denounced Sanseito for repeatedly "making clearly factually inaccurate claims that foreigners are treated more favorably than Japanese," adding, "It has been campaigning in a way that leads voters who harbor a sense of anxiety about society today to support Sanseito while inciting public opinion that discriminates against and excludes foreigners as a consequence."
Regarding Kamiya's remark that he was amending what he said shortly afterward, the letter stated, "Words spoken by a politician representing a political party bear significant influence and cannot be easily dismissed as if they were never uttered."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
Analysis: Xi administration quick to tell civil servants they can drink
Katsuji Nakazawa is a Tokyo-based senior staff and editorial writer at Nikkei. He spent seven years in China as a correspondent and later as China bureau chief. He was the 2014 recipient of the Vaughn-Ueda International Journalist prize. Chinese President and party boss Xi Jinping's administration has been forced to tweak an "alcohol ban" targeting party and government officials after facing a barrage of public criticism.


Nikkei Asia
3 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
Potential Ishiba successors prepare as pressure on Japan PM mounts
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces growing pressure to resign after his party suffered heavy losses in the July 20 upper house election. © Reuters TAISHU YUASA TOKYO -- With Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba facing growing pressure to resign after Sunday's upper house election, potential candidates for the post are starting to position themselves for the next leadership race, in which opposition parties would play a major role. Despite his Liberal Democratic Party losing its majority with coalition partner Komeito, Ishiba had said he would stay on to handle tariff negotiations with the U.S., but a deal was announced Wednesday. A senior LDP official said the prime minister will decide on his future after a full review of the election is completed next month.

3 hours ago
Ishiba Reiterates Intention to Stay in Office
Tokyo, July 23 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated his intention to remain in office Wednesday despite his ruling bloc's crushing defeat in Sunday's parliamentary election. Ishiba denied media reports that he will announce his resignation as early as this month, telling reporters, "I have never made such remarks." He promised to "make full efforts to protect people's lives," referring to the Japan-U.S. tariff agreement that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. Ishiba, who leads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made the comments after an 80-minute meeting with his predecessors Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida. "My fate was not discussed at all" at the meeting, the prime minister said. The former prime ministers told Ishiba to review the results of the House of Councillors election as soon as possible and listen to rank-and-file LDP members and regional chapters, according to LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama, who was present at the meeting. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]