2024-08-26 21:00:00
The Tokyo Shimbun has learned that Saitama Prefecture Governor Ohno Motohiro is considering delivering a eulogy at a ceremony in Saitama City to commemorate the Koreans massacred in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. This differs from the stance of Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who continues to avoid sending tributes at ceremonies in the capital. Experts say “official statements from chiefs and politicians are the most effective way to prevent genocide and discrimination.”
The condolence letter being considered by Governor Ono is in response to a request from the Executive Committee for a memorial service for a young Korean man who was killed in Mae-Katanagi Village (Minunuma-ku, Saitama City) on September 4. Saitama Prefecture responded that “the prefecture is actively considering sending a memorial letter.” If this happens, it will be the first time Governor Ono has issued a message of condolences over the massacre of Koreans.
◆If realized, it will be “groundbreaking”
“It would be groundbreaking if we could write a memorial,” said Mitsuru Ogawa, executive director of the executive committee. “We are paying close attention to how the prefecture will respond.” According to the prefecture, another organization made a request last year, but The request was not sent as it was not considered in time for the ceremony.
Monument to Korean Victims of the Great Kantō Earthquake in Yokoamicho Park, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
At a press conference in September last year, Governor Ono said, “The massacre of Koreans based on false information is deeply saddening.” It is said that the background of the massacre was that the day after the earthquake, the prefectural government issued a letter to all parties. Towns and villages issued a “Notice on the Futzentsu Arson Incident” to increase vigilance against North Koreans.
The other five prefectures in the Kanto region do not know whether memorial services are being held in their respective prefectures. When asked how the governors would respond if asked to write a memorial, the four prefectures of Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Kanagawa replied: “We will make a decision based on the content.” Gunma replied: “I There is no answer to the question ‘what if'” (Maki Ishihara, Masashi Sugiura).
◆Politicians’ claims and official statements are the most effective
The story of non-fiction writer Koichi YasudaOfficial statements from chiefs and politicians are the most effective way to prevent genocide and discrimination. Former Saitama Prefecture Governor Hata Yahara compiled a report titled “Hidden History: The Great Kanto Earthquake and Saitama Korean Massacre”, emphasizing that the massacre should not be forgotten and should be recorded. Given this history, the suggestion to send a letter of condolence is significant and deserves evaluation.
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◆ Statement of protest against Governor Koike’s failure to issue a condolence letter
Governor Yuriko Koike has decided not to deliver a eulogy for the eighth consecutive year at the memorial ceremony for the Korean victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake that was held on September 1 at Metropolitan Yokoamicho Park in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. The statement was dated the 23rd of this month and submitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Parks and Green Spaces Department, which manages the park, on the 26th.
Miyagawa Yasuhiko (centre), chairman of the executive committee of the Memorial Service for Korean Victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake, and others issued a statement protesting that Governor Yuriko Koike did not send a condolence letter to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the 20th.
Governor Koike announced that a large memorial service organized by the Metropolitan Memorial Association at the same location on the day of the ceremony would “express condolences to all those who lost their lives in the great earthquake.” The committee informed the executive committee of its policy not to pass the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Relevant government departments sent condolences letters. “Commemorating those who lost their lives due to natural disasters has different meanings than mourning those whose lives were taken by human hands,” the statement said, urging them to reconsider sending condolences.
◆“As the person in charge of the local government, you should make your attitude clear.”
Chairman of the Executive Committee Yasuhiko Miyagawa held a press conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the 26th and emphasized that “as the head of local government, we need to have a clear attitude so that such a mistake will never happen again.”
Governor Koike only sent a memorial letter once shortly after taking office in 2016. In March 2017, at a general inquiry meeting of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, an LDP lawmaker asked: “I think we should reconsider sending condolences in the future,” and Governor Yuri Koike responded: “My office staff Treat them as usual. “From now on, I will take a closer look at this matter myself and make an appropriate decision. “I haven’t sent it since 2017. (Okuno Hi, Oshikawa Eriko)
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