Nikon axes comfort women photo exhibition

[redisburning]

why do the yakuza organize nationalist rallies?

my understanding was that they grew out of the immediate post-war period. what is it to them that the books accurately describe what the military did?

the photographer is a brave man; a Korean living in Japan trying to shed light on a squelched part of Japanese history. If I had my own gallery I would be proud to offer him space to show his photographs.

[jonmanjiro]

"This is basically Nikon's self-censorship. Is it all right for a large corporation like Nikon to permit such a wimpy reaction?" Takei asked.

'Various reasons' halted sex slave exhibit: Nikon

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120529a3.html

Nikon Corp. canceled its planned photo exhibition of wartime sex slaves for "various reasons," the major camera maker has announced.

Although Nikon declined to state the specific reasons for the cancellation, a company spokesman admitted it received a number of complaints about the event, which was to be held from June 26 to July 9 at Shinjuku Nikon Salon in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. The photos were taken by South Korean photographer Ahn Sehong.

"We received complaints by mail and telephone, but we cannot comment on how many complaints we got or the nature of the complaints," said the spokesman, who asked not to be named.

Euphemistically known in Japan as the "comfort women," the young women and girls, in large part of Korean origin, were forced into sexual slavery for the Imperial armed forces during the war.

The atrocity has been a major source of diplomatic friction in Asia, especially between South Korea and Japan.

In 1993, Yohei Kono, then chief Cabinet secretary, issued a statement acknowledging the state played a role in the wartime brothel program and offered an apology. But the government has refused to pay individual redress.

The Japan Visual Journalist Association is preparing a statement slamming Nikon for violating freedom of expression, said Takeharu Watai, one of the three representatives of the group.

"This is basically Nikon's self-censorship. Is it all right for a large corporation like Nikon to permit such a wimpy reaction?" Takei asked.

Nikon called on the public for photos to display at the Shinjuku salon late last year and decided to hold the exhibition of Ahn's comfort women photos earlier this year, the spokesman said.

On May 21, Internet bulletin boards 2channel and Yahoo Chiebukuro Q&A forum had postings on the event, which had the obvious intention of soliciting protests. The 2channel posts have a phone number and detailed information on Ahn, an Aichi Prefecture resident, and called on others to lodge protests targeting the photographer.

Nikon decided to cancel the photo exhibition the following day, the spokesman said.

Military Sexual Slavery by Japan During the Second World War, a group seeking to raise awareness of the sex slaves, released a statement May 24 that said: "Ahn Sehong does not accept the cancellation of the photo exhibition, which (Nikon) cannot explain the reasons for. The world-renowned Nikon's reaction damages one photographer's honor and will be known by the global media."

In contrast to Nikon's decision, the city of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, will stick to its plan to hold an exhibition of Ahn's comfort women photos at a community hall from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on June 10.

"We have received some complaints. But (Ahn) asked to use the hall and we confirmed there is no violation of city ordinances. Thus there is no reason to reject his request," Yokkaichi official Takuya Sugawa said.

[Frontman]

Originally Posted by redisburning

why do the yakuza organize nationalist rallies?

my understanding was that they grew out of the immediate post-war period. what is it to them that the books accurately describe what the military did?

the photographer is a brave man; a Korean living in Japan trying to shed light on a squelched part of Japanese history. If I had my own gallery I would be proud to offer him space to show his photographs.

The Yakuza go back quite far in Japanese history, with references to them occurring as early as the 17th century.

If you spend any time in a large Japanese city you'll eventually see and hear the speaker trucks blaring old military airs. The trucks are usually pAinted black, and are marked with the chrysanthemum seal and/or old battle flags. These nuts generally drive around in noisy convoys, stopping in front of the occasion train station, government office building, or immigration office were jack-booted thugs in smart uniforms with swastikas on their shoulders will rant against good and normalcy.

The Yakuza usually spend most of their time breaking legs, pimping prostitutes, or skimming the profits of their more "legitimate" enterprises. Being right-wing nuts is a part-time occupation for them.

[Nikon Bob]

Originally Posted by Frontman

The Yakuza go back quite far in Japanese history, with references to them occurring as early as the 17th century.

If you spend any time in a large Japanese city you'll eventually see and hear the speaker trucks blaring old military airs. The trucks are usually pAinted black, and are marked with the chrysanthemum seal and/or old battle flags. These nuts generally drive around in noisy convoys, stopping in front of the occasion train station, government office building, or immigration office were jack-booted thugs in smart uniforms with swastikas on their shoulders will rant against good and normalcy.

The Yakuza usually spend most of their time breaking legs, pimping prostitutes, or skimming the profits of their more "legitimate" enterprises. Being right-wing nuts is a part-time occupation for them.

So in other words they are the bottom rung of the corporate ladder.

Bob

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by Nikon Bob

So in other words they are the bottom rung of the corporate ladder.

Bob

No, there are rungs below the yakuza. For example, the misfits that the yakuza collected from the streets to go and work in the cleanup effort at Fukushima Dai-Ichi.

[Nikon Bob]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

No, there are rungs below the yakuza. For example, the misfits that the yakuza collected from the streets to go and work in the cleanup effort at Fukushima Dai-Ichi.

Jez, that ladder goes to the sub basement too. Well, not to make too much light of it but it is a nasty situation for sure. The thin veneer of civilization is just that: thin. No different than other places. Distasteful that Nikon would crumble so easily.

Bob