Re: Japanese wannabes

[Taro Toporific]

Japanese Politician's 'Retrogressive' Remarks Infuriate South Korea
Taro Aso, chief policy maker ....

Hey, what can ya expect from a guy named, Ass-O (or "Taro").

[Taro Toporific]

[Neo-Rio]

[Taro Toporific]

Japanese Politician's 'Retrogressive' Remarks Infuriate South Korea

Japanese name game - Korea Herald / 2003.06.11
By Lee Kyong-hee, Editor-in-chief

...Hearing the angry outcry across the strait ["Japan Sea"], Aso apologized before Roh embarked on his trip. The Japanese lawmaker said he regretted infuriating the Korean people by claiming that they voluntarily asked for Japanese surnames during World War II....

Then the LDP's leadership convened a meeting during which Aso was to explain his revisionism. It reportedly turned into an occasion for a group gaffe. Should a reasonable person laugh or cry?

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Aso pledged to watch his tongue - but he would not change his opinion. Then a few participants present concurred with his view. Another Diet member defended the 1939 decree that forced the Korean people to adopt Japanese names, saying that it conferred equality on them. Yet another solon said that the Taiwanese also adopted Japanese names, but without resistance, during Japan's colonization of the island.

These politicians need an accurate history lesson...