Lately, South Korea is livid with Japan and my students are not going to Japanese stores and refuse to travel to Japan based on a trade war that Shinzo Abe seemed to have started. The boycotts have caused Uniqlo to close shop in Seoul and Japanese restaurants have slowed down sales unless they have signs on the door like the one in this blog post. You can read about how Japanese businesses are affected below:
Uniqlo Set to Close Store Amid Anti-Japan Boycotts of Cars, Beer, and Holidays-Telegraph (UK) August 9, 2019
South Koreans Shun Japanese Products and Tours as Boycott Gathers Momentum- The Japan Times- August 5, 2019
I just recently went to a Japanese restaurant during lunch time in the business district and was shocked at how bare it was. This is the worst boycott since the American beef boycott in Seoul a while back and since it's Japan (Korea's arch rival in sports and an infamously historical rival), this could easily be the worst.
Here's a great video of why people are boycotting Japan and while most people are for the boycott, you'll see a couple Koreans that think the boycott will just end up hurting Korea and Japan in the long run:
Why Koreans Are Boycotting Japan- August 4, 2019
Many people believe that the boycott is not about trade relations and Korea losing some money from its semiconductor business. They believe it's Japan's colonial history, Korea's opinion that Japan has never apologized for their behaviors during their occupation between 1910-1945 (although they actually have and paid compensation), and the "comfort women" issue. Here's a great article explaining why the boycott is happening and what the US has tried to do to mediate the differences:
The South Korea and Japan Trade War, Explained- Vox- August 9, 2019
The sad thing is that I love both countries for different reasons. Korea has been my home for almost 16 years and I've been treated very well here. But I've also traveled to various cities in Japan (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Kyoto) and found the people to be very kind and welcoming to non-Japanese people. I sincerely hope that one day those two countries can have a strong relationship because they're both great places to live and/or visit.
Not only that, but it will also help with regards to the denuclearization of North Korea. Notice how North Korea has been testing missiles quite often lately? That's not a coincidence.
Get with it Korea and Japan and grow up. You need each other and the safety of the Far East depends on it!
Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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