essay

Satomi Okada 1

Satomi Okada

Professor Christianson

ARW Section BD

10 October 2011

Outline

Ⅰ. Introduction

A.    Statistics

B.     Definition

C.     Thesis

Ⅱ. Why Korean have anti-Japanese sentiment?

A.    History textbook problem

B.     Anti-Japanese education

Ⅲ. Why good relation is needed?

Ⅳ. Solution

A.    Collaborative research

B.     Culture, tourism

            How Should Japan - Korea relations be improved?

     Last year, Japan’s annexation of the Korean peninsula marked 100 years. The broadcast stations in Japan and Korea reported the result of public perception of each country. The survey asked both sides about the view of relations between Japan and South Korea. Results of the survey showed that 57% of Japanese thought current relations between Japan and Korea were good, and 29% of Japanese thought the relation is bad. By contrast, 27% of Korean thought current relations were good, 73% of Korean thought the relation is bad (“YOMIURI”). This result indicated that there are dissonances in feeling each other.

     One of the reasons Korean have more negative feelings against Japan is related to “history textbook problems”. History textbook problem is various issues which are caused by different realization or interpretation of historical facts. This issue happens not only between Japan and Asian countries, but around Germany or Viet Nam. When people mention the conflict between Japan and Korea caused by history textbook, especially estimate of policy of WWⅡ or the Pacific War and depiction of invasion by Japan come to issues. There is considerable disagreement between two countries, and that have caused some conflicts and interrupted improving relations.

     Thus, in order to improve the relations, Japan and Korea should share recognition of history.

     Japan and Korea have a long history of trade, war, and exchange of culture, people, or thought from a distance past. Furthermore, still now the two nations are trading as important partners, and tourism trade and pop cultural exchange are developing. However, as seen from the above, a lot of Korean have antipathy against Japan. Why do Korean people dislike Japan so much? The main reason is historical issues. As Treaty of Ganghwa was conducted in 1875, Japan began to dominantly interfere with Korean politics. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea. Whether legal or not the annexation and Japanese colonial rule are disputable.

Why is there a big difference in how Japanese and Korean think each other? One of the possible reasons is “history textbook problems”. History textbook problem is, as seen above, issues which are caused by different or opponent descriptions of the same historical facts. History textbook problem between Japan and Korea includes “takeshima mondai” or comfort women problem, which is called juugun ianfu mondai. Some Korean people complain that several Japanese history textbooks do not mention these issues accurately. As an example, in 2007 Korea’s Education Minister sent Japanese counterpart a letter regarding whitewash in Japanese history textbook. In that letter, Korea’s Education Minister stated that distorted interpretation of historical facts could “damage neighborly ties and trust” (“Ed.Minister Protests Distortion”). Korean argued that history textbooks in Japan omit comfort women, and occupation of Takeshima and several Korean islets in East Sea.

 In addition to history textbook problems, education makes antipathy against Japan. In Korea, teachers are still conducting anti-Japanese education (“Anti-Japanese Education”). Thus, not only elderly people who experienced World War Ⅱ, but young people have negative feeling against Japan.

Current relation should be improved and more good relation should be built. However, why is good relation needed? Japan and Korea have been already doing well on economic point, like export and import trade. Isn’t it enough? Is it really needed to improve sentiment toward each other? The answer is yes. There are three reasons why it is necessary to improve relation. The first reason is that good relation could be helpful at the time of crisis. On March 11, a catastrophic earthquake, Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan. Having had such painful experience, people could recognize the need and importance of cooperation with nearby countries. Of course, aid from other nations, such as United States or European countries is indispensable. However, support from nearby countries is important especially in a state of emergency that demands immediacy. Such support to cope with unexpected situation requires cooperative ties or harmonious relations. In addition to this kind of emergency situation, other issues surrounding Japan and Korea require cooperative relations from medium- to long-term viewpoint. Particularly, to cope with several problems related North Korea, Japan and Korea have to stay in collaborative relation. It is impossible for Japan by itself to resolve those problems, such as abduction, nuclear weapon, and missile. Delicate problems related to North Korea demand cooperation from international community, especially Korea. In addition, China has been significantly increasing its presence in world politics. In order to keep Japan’s position in diplomacy in East Asia, partnership with Korea is necessary. Likewise, Korea has an increased necessity for tie with Japan. It is difficult to deal with other countries for the long term with resentment. For all these reasons, Japan-Korea relation should be improved.

What Japanese and Korean should do to improve the relation? The most important element to resolve this problem is understanding of history. Japan and Korea have different and incorrect recognition of history. The two countries have conducted “Japan-Korea collaborative history research” twice from 2002 to 2010 (“Nikkan”). Many Korean media reported that the collaborative research worked well. On the other hand, committee in Japan stated that they talked at cross purposes and could not reach an agreement in many of their discussion. In contemporary history part, Korea claimed that especially Dokto and comfort women problem are so heavy and serious that they could not even bring up the topic. Each countries’ recognition were completely different, so the discussion made slow progress. However, discussion about historical facts cannot help running into trouble because perception of history inevitably contains subjective viewpoint. It is almost impossible to have a completely objective analysis. Thus, research of history demands showing willingness to compromise of both countries.

In addition, culture or tourism could be helpful. Recently, Japan and Korea are developing interaction by pop culture or tourism trade. The two countries can take this opportunity to know each other and establish friendly relations.

In conclusion, in order to survive in difficult situation in Japan or in East Asia, good relations with nearby country, Korea, is important.

Works Cited

“Anti-Japan Education in Korea” YouTube. 10 February 2009. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea” Wikipedia. 14 October 2011. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Ed. Minister Protests Distortions in Japanese Textbooks” The Chosunilbo. October 2007. Web. 26 October 2011.

“NikkanRekishiKyodokenkyu” [Japan-Korea collaborative history research committee] Searchina. 24 May 2010. Web. 1 November 2011

“Japan-Korea disputes” Wikipedia. 24 October 2011. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Nikkan Kankei” [Japan-Korea Ralations] YOMIURI ONLINE 17 April 2010. Web. 10 2011