There is no end to the deterioration of Japan-Korea relations that stemmed from the problem of ex-workers. From the officials of the prime minister's residence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who have been interviewed as reporters of the political department, I do not hear positive words for improving the relationship, and I feel a sense of obstruction. I heard that Japanese and Korean university students are working on “private exchanges”. Do you have any hints? I went to meet you.
September 28, Hibiya Park, Tokyo. There was an appetizing scent from the Korean food toppogi and chijimi stalls. The stage is lively with K-POP live, and there are booths where you can experience culture such as trying on “hanbok”. “Japan-Korea Exchange Festival” sponsored by the private sector and sponsored by the Japanese and Korean governments. It was held for two days until 29th. In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea, this is the largest cultural exchange project between Japan and Korea that started in Korea in 2005 and has been held in Japan since 2009.
A tent in the corner had a “Japan-Korea Exchange Booth”. Japanese and Korean university students and visitors were in a circle and talking with a serious expression.
Visitors range from teens to over 60s. When a middle-aged woman asked about the decrease in tourists visiting Japan from South Korea, a Korean university student replied:
“In Korea, the people and the government are considered separately. Those who do not go do not go because they hate the Japanese government, not the people.”
On the other hand, Korean university students also ask questions.
"Do you want to broadcast Korean dramas even if your relations between Japan and South Korea worsen?" When the attendees answered their favorite drama “I have nothing to do”, Korean university students smiled.
At the “Japan-Korea Exchange Booth”, such a dialogue is held for about 30 minutes. It was established for the first time.
The project was organized by university students from all over the country who had visited Korea in the international exchange program “JENESYS” of the government. A university student from Korea who was invited by the same “JENESYS” came to Japan. This year, 220 university students will travel between Japan and Korea.
In JENESYS, the Japanese government invites youth from the Asia-Pacific to Japan and dispatches youth from Japan. The purpose of this project is to promote understanding of Japan in neighboring countries, to discover pro-Japanese / Chinese groups, and to enhance external communication.
One person who planned the booth, Aimi Tsuji (22) of Wakayama University's third year, “I would like to have an opportunity to know what Korean people think without thinking about which is better or worse.” As for the issue of historical recognition, “In Japanese classes, spending so much time in the Paleolithic era, modern history ends quickly. Even if it is difficult to solve, it is necessary to know and understand each other.” speak.
Tsuji is a third-generation Korean in Japan. It is also worrisome that Koreans living in Japan may not be discriminated against because of the worsening relationship.
He wrote that he was working on a Japan-Korea exchange in the SNS, and a friend said, “Why isn't the relationship between Japan and Korea bad?
“Japan and South Korea will continue to be neighbors in the future. I think that it would be happier if there is no news, including hate, in the neighboring countries, as well as being happy if the relationship with family and friends is good.” Now I feel that way.
"It is important to meet and feel directly"
Twenty-eight Korean university students came to Japan on September 23 for a 10-day program. On the 25th, we discussed with students at Dokkyo University (Soka City, Saitama Prefecture) how to improve Japan-Korea relations.
While speaking in the car seat, Han Seong-soo (24), who is a 4th-year student at Kyosei University, uploaded a photo of an airline ticket to Japan on Instagram, and a message from a friend was “traitor” and “Why are you going to Japan?” I revealed that it arrived. “I don't have Japanese friends, so I have prejudice,” he says.
A diplomatic mission from the Joseon Dynasty during the Edo period was also discussed. The Korean correspondent was dispatched to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries, which was cut off by Hideyoshi Toyotomi's dispatch of Korea. Korean university students were enthusiastic about "History has a wishful message" and "We will become the Chosen correspondent".
Han ’s group put together opinions that “the government has a government position, but we should continue private exchanges” and “it is important to experience and feel directly”.
"If you don't communicate, there is a lot of misunderstanding"
Discussions at the “Japan-Korea Exchange Festival” booth, which started around noon, continued until 6pm.
On the same day, Han discussed the economic situation in South Korea with the young people who visited Japan. Han explained that the employment rate has dropped, which has led to a decline in the approval rate of the Bunjeong government. Han himself is thinking about finding a job in Japan with his language skills as a weapon.
Visitors who visited the "Japan-Korea Exchange Booth" wrote a message of their thoughts on pink and blue stickers after the discussion. The thought-filled sticky note was attached to a paper with a large heart on the wall of the tent.
“I felt like politics had nothing to do with it. There were things that I could communicate with Japan and Korea.” “Please continue to like Japan.” “May the two countries get along.” The message filled up the paper.
I also asked Park Dahan (23), a third-year student at Korea University, about Japan-Korea relations. “The Korean and Japanese governments are not communicating at all. Miscommunication may increase the misunderstanding.” Indeed, the Japan-Korea summit has not been held for about a year since September last year.
If the fight is prolonged, it may be awkward that the fight between children or diplomatic negotiations may be the same. Park emphasized that “Communication is possible in private exchange. The process of talking as usual and making friends is important”. Turning back to the current situation of both the Japanese and Korean governments, it wouldn't be straightforward, but it resonated.
134 people visited and discussed at the “Japan-Korea Exchange Booth” only on the 28th. I noticed that the day was gone. (Narumi Ota)