Some Japanese boycotting US goods

Jerusalem Post ^ | Mar. 26, 2003 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[yonif]

Tokyo resident Jun Miyakawa has stopped going to Starbucks and no longer buys Pampers diapers for his baby.

Although his government was among the first to back the US-led invasion of Iraq, Miyakawa, a private sector worker, is part of Japan's increasingly vocal anti-war movement.

The "Peace Choice" campaign, which he helped organize, is urging boycotts of American products from McDonald's hamburgers to Ford cars.

"My family and I want to continue to live on this planet, and I want this war to stop," he said Wednesday. "It's unbelievable that in this day and age a nation would invade another nation."

Miyakawa's effort has drawn six grass roots groups. Supporters are busy handing out leaflets at protests and urging more people to join the boycott.

While the campaign has yet to hit consumption of US goods, it is symbolic of growing public doubt in Japan about the United States -- the biggest influence on culture and lifestyle here for the past half century, and Tokyo's most important ally.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said his decision to support the war was critical for the US-Japan alliance, the pillar of postwar diplomacy between the two countries. But Koizumi's stance has come under attack from opposition lawmakers and voters alike, threatening his already shaky hold on power.

As the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear bombing, Japan has a potent peace movement that influences public opinion, artistic and intellectual circles.

"Anti-war sentiments are deeply rooted," said Takashi Inoguchi of the Institute of Oriental Culture at the University of Tokyo. "And no one outside Japan has really noticed that Tokyo has voiced support for the war."

Japanese celebrities such as Yoko Ono, "Last Emperor" score composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, actors and rock musicians have come out against the war.

Anti-war sentiment dominates Japan's TV talk shows, and newspaper opinion polls show opposition to the war running as high as 70 percent.

The war has seen people take to the streets on a scale not seen in years. Organizers estimate that 50,000 people marched in Tokyo on a national holiday last week. Another large-scale rally is planned for April 5.

"Bowling for Columbine," the Oscar-winning documentary film by Michael Moore that assails the prevalence of guns in the United States, has been a surprise hit in Japan, attracting more than 100,000 people in two months.

Compared to past American leaders, President George W. Bush has not proven popular in this country of 127 million people.

A book on "Bushisms" lampoons the president's mispronunciation of Japanese prefectures (states) and his reference to 150 years of US-Japan friendship in which he failed to mention World War II. The book has sold 100,000 copies since its release in January.

"It's a way to laugh off the frustrations Japanese feel toward America," said Kosuke Maruo of Tokyo-based Penguin Shobo Publishing, which released the book. "I hope people realize there's no need to follow such a president."

In a parody of Bush's speech that targeted Iraq, Iran and North Korea as the "axis of evil," a popular Japanese magazine labeled Bush, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as the "axis of idiots."

"What Bush is doing is conquering with military force anyone who opposes him," said Shinichi Iida, a 25-year-old university student. "I think it's the most barbaric act in the world."

[bedolido]

Starbucks? Who cares what the Japanese do or don't do... isn't Starbucks a liberal organization based in Seattle, Wa? Not positive... but if it is...LOL

[Tamar1973]

considering reports that up to 70% of the Japanese support the US stance on all this, I doubt this boycot will turn into much of anything.

[mdmathis6]

Just wait until NK fires another "test" missile over Japan. Miss Japanese Bush hater will find that her government will become as hawkish as GW real quick.!

[scoopscandal]

Is the book, Rape of Nanking is banned in Japan?

[Question_Assumptions]

The official translation of Iris Chang's book was skuttled because she declined to soften some of her words against the Japanese. On a positive note, a Japanese co-worker expressed interest in the English edition (available in Japan) but, alas, the English was beyond his capabilities. I would simply point out that most Japanese are simply ignorant about life outside of Japan. They live an (often enviable) sheltered existence from a lot of the safety problems that people have do deal with in other countries.

[gramho12]

I guess the US was barbaric when we lost thousands of GIs fighting Japan in WWII and then pouring money and resources in to build Japan from the ashes. All those new steel and auto factories - wonder who financed them.

Ungrateful idiots.

[scoopscandal]

I meant to say: Is the book, Rape of Nanking, still banned in Japan.

Sorry, I always get a little miffed when people mention US bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima without giving the whole story of Japan's history. It's easy to call a kettle black.

Whew...is anyone else getting annoyed with these new-age hippy types?

Best Regards,

[TheSpottedOwl]

Should we be upset? It would be nice if Yoko Ono started boycotting air...

[First_Salute]

Neither ungrateful nor idiots.

[Grampa Dave]

I wonder how long this left wing maggot had to search to find this weasel?

Support for our war to free Iraq may be stronger in Japan than here.

Of course the Fedayeen Soddomite peace marchers in the US would join this maggot in boycotting American
Goods!

[DeathfromBelow]

Organizers estimate that 50,000 people marched in Tokyo on a national holiday last week. Another large-scale rally is planned for April 5.

So that is like 0.004108463 % of the population of Tokyo, Impressive. Not

[Mark17]

Is the book, Rape of Nanking banned in Japan?

It probably is, along with the book on Pearl Harbor.

[chainsaw]

"It's unbelievable that in this day and age a nation would invade another nation."

That's what I said when we bombed Kosovo from 30,000 feet. and killed civilians by the hundreds. Where was this Jap when that was happening?

[wallcrawlr]

...to Ford cars

I have never seen an asian in a Ford. Have you?

[Grampa Dave]

Said that they are boycotting our products or supporting us?

[sushiman]

I've been telling you all along that the " government " is supporting the war but the Japanese people are definitely not . 70% are against it . If you take the 21-40 age group only the % is probably 90% against . So all those " thank you Japan" greetings you all posted when the Japanese government came out in support of our war effort should be retracted to say " thank you Koizumi san " .

I live in a tiny town near Mt. Aso and there are posters everywhere with pictures of sad Iraqi kids pictures on them saying " No War please " , etc...

[sushiman]

" that they are overwhelmingly supporting us...

" They " ?