‘East Sea’ and ‘Comfort Women’ Statues: Strive for an Assertive Statement

[unhappycamper]

http://watchingamerica.com/News/230650/east-sea-and-comfort-women-statues-strive-for-an-assertive-statement/



The anti-Japanese movement is intensifying in the U.S. due to South Korean organizations. The Japanese government needs to provide an extensive, conscientious and assertive statement so that the state legislature is not affected by an unjust movement.

‘East Sea’ and ‘Comfort Women’ Statues: Strive for an Assertive Statement
Sankei News, Japan
By Editorial
Translated By Stephanie Sanders
18 January 2014
Edited by Lau­rence Bouvard

The Virginia State Legislature’s Senate Education and Health Committee passed by a majority vote a bill requiring textbooks in the state’s public schools to include Korea’s denomination “East Sea” alongside “Sea of Japan.”

This is unacceptable because it disregards the position of the U.S. and Japanese governments as well as the International Hydrographic Organization that “Sea of Japan” is the internationally established name.

The bill was introduced by legislators whose constituencies include large numbers of Korean residents and who have also received donations from Korean residents. Even though this has been criticized as an election publicity stunt, they can’t be blamed for it.

It’s not surprising that Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae commented, “I’m concerned about this kind of move. We will make efforts to make sure the move (in Virginia) does not spill over” to other states. I would like to encourage rejection of this plenary session.