Flames Of Protest Against Japan`s History Textbooks Blaze

Local governments nationwide and the civic organizations protest against the Japan’s rejection of revision of the history textbooks by canceling cultural exchange programs and holding rallies.

Some of the local governments and schools have decided to clear off the sisterhood relationship with the Japan`s schools and cities. Japan`s national flag and the Japanese cigarettes were burnt at the stake in Pusan. Suhsan City in Chungnam wrote letters of protest and received the promise from the Japan’s city, with which it is in the sisterhood relationship, that the city will not use the distorted history textbooks.

- Resistance from the local governments: Suhsan City, Chungnam announced yesterday that the education committee of the Tenli City in Nara Prefecture, Japan, sent an official letter saying that it will not use the distorted history textbooks. The education committee of the Tenli City said in the letter that ``it is important to humbly accept the historical facts in order for children of two cities to be connected through trust and friendship.``

Uijungbu City, Kyunggi, announced that it will not carry out the cultural exchange activities this year with Nigata Prefecture and Shibata City, which have had 20 year of cultural exchange activities with Uijungbu City. Uijungbu City originally planned to hold an athletic event in August in which middle school students from two cities will participate.

- Suspension of the exchange with the schools in sisterhood relationship: Suhguipo High School of Industry and Science, which has had sisterhood relationship with Kikuko High School of Agriculture in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, since 1996, decided to suspend the students’ visit to Japan, which was scheduled for 18th.

Sangdang Middle School, Haewundae Ku, Pusan, decided to postpone the exchange visit with Sanko Middle School in Kyushu, with which it has had sisterhood relationship since last year, for an indefinite period. 12 schools in Kwangju, Chunnam, decide to suspend the exchange with Japan.

Masan Jaeil High School in Kyungnam, in fact cleared off the 14 year-sisterhood relationship with Tzuda High School in Kuwana City, Miai Prefecture.

- Other movements: Societal leaders of the Sokcho area in Kangwon decided to cancel the cultural exchange activity with Tottori Prefecture’s `East district Korea-Japan friendship society`, which was scheduled to be held in Sokcho City for two nights and three days from August 18.

Shinsaegae Department Store in Masan, Kyungnam, planned to hold the `great exhibition on Japanese food` as one of the first anniversary events at the food corner for one week from 17th. However, considering the public sentiment, it canceled the exhibition. Chunnam Provincial Korean Classical Music Institute decided to cancel the concert at the Kirara Exhibition (from 20th through 28th) in Yamakuchi Prefecture.

Choi Chang-Soon cschoi@donga.com