Japan's anti-Korea protests: Lessons from Python
So close, yet so far apart -- neighbors joined by everything from food to fashion.Visitors to Japan might never know it, but the country has a far closer relationship with neighboring South Korea than most Japanese will ever let on.
Although an overdose of anodyne TV dramas may be fuel for the anti-Seoul demos centered on the Fuji TV station that are currently in vogue, Korean culture can be clearly seen and felt throughout Tokyo, offering plenty of interest to both residents and visitors.
South Korea sends more visitors to Japan than any other country.
Yet still, the love-hate relationship between the two countries remains something of a puzzle. The issue of what’s so interesting about Korea is frequently debated on the streets of Tokyo. To paraphrase the classic Monty Python sketch: What have the Koreans ever done for us?
Best of enemies
“These frenemies always find something to argue about, mostly history,” says Jeff Kingston, a professor at Temple University and the author of “Contemporary Japan.”
“But the past isn't what it used to be and even when the two governments are in a pout, grassroots relations remain generally warm.”
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“When I heard about the demos I laughed, wondering which country has worse TV shows -- it’s neck-and-neck from what I glimpse,” Kingston adds.
“Perhaps it's the Japanese actors' union trying to save jobs for hopeless actors. If you go to Seoul, people cut their fingers off protesting against Japan's claims to Dokdo/Takeshima, so taking a stand against bad TV shows seems a bit pathetic.”
Industrial relations
For Kingston, the problems are overshadowed by the reliance Japanese companies place on finding buyers to use their high-tech and patent-protected components.
“We got to see how interdependent these frenemies are when disruption of supplies of key car and electronics parts produced in Tohoku shut down Korean factories. Now, the [parts makers] are relocating to Korea. The high yen is enabling Japan to buy up Korean companies.”
And economic interdependence in the manufacturing sector is just the beginning -- food, culture, commerce and tourism in Japan all have help from its out-of-favor neighbor.
Meat and drink
Bulgogi (barbecued meat), kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) and Korean liquor are all immensely popular in Tokyo.
With locations across town, Chegoya is a good option for Korean food, while the Gyukaku chain is reasonably priced and offers a Japanese take on bulgogi.
- More on CNNGo: Tokyo’s tower of meat
And, of course, booze from Korea, such as Makgeolli, is popular and heavily marketed. Try it at Tejimaul, or any of the countless other Korean bars near Okubo Station.
And then there’s tourism. While there is a tendency to think of American executives or backpackers bringing their tourist dollars to Japan and helping to drive the economy, Koreans contribute a lot more.
South Korea sends more visitors to Japan than any other country. In 2010, before the earthquake, the country dispatched 2.44 million visitors.
Its nearest rival, China -- also not flavor of the month -- managed 1.41 million. By contrast, the United States brought in 720,000.
