Former Prime Minister of Japan, Noda Yoshihiko.
Photo: REUTERS/Toru Hanai
Former Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko is no stranger to international controversy, but this week he’s really got his foot in his mouth. During an interview, he attempted to criticize current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s by comparing his style of diplomacy to that of Korean President Park Gyeun-he. However, his comment about Park’s “schoolgirl’s tattletale diplomacy” managed to spark widespread outrage in Korea as well as offending Abe supporters in Japan.
The Korean media was quick to point out the sexism inherent in Noda’s analogy, but netizens claim that’s just a distraction from the foreign policy issue at hand. Do you think Noda’s comment was representative of an underlying social problem, or just a careless remark by a blunder-prone politician?
From Yahoo! Japan:
“Like a Schoolgirl’s Tattletale Diplomacy…” Korean Media Backlash Against Former Prime Minister Noda’s Remarks
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye.
AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
There has been backlash from the Korean media against former Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko’s recent statement that Korean leadership “goes to America or Europe and criticizes Japan just like a schoolgirl’s tattletale diplomacy,” although he avoided naming Korean President Park Gyeun-he explicitly.
Noda’s comment was published in the Mainichi Shimbun on January 10. He was giving an example in response to a comment about “Prime Minister Abe Shinzo repeatedly making remarks restraining China in conferences with leaders of Europe, America, and Asian nations.”
Although Noda limited himself to the phrase “Korean leadership,” the Korean media jumped on the story immediately. The Chosun Ilbo’s Tokyo column on January 11 stated that it was “not only a diplomatic blunder, but also served as an acknowledgement of the nation of Japan’s sexism.” The article’s criticism continued: “the word ‘tattletale’ means telling tales about other people’s mistakes and secrets, and no matter what country’s dictionary you look in, it’s not defined as ‘what schoolgirls do.’” The critique also linked Noda’s remark to “gender issues,” saying “it seems that Japan’s attitude towards the comfort women issue has its roots in the country’s discriminatory view of women.”
On January 11, the Chuo Daily News described President Park’s conversations with foreign leaders by saying, “Regarding Japan, she has emphasized an honest recognition of history.” The article went on to comment that “there is a side to this that scorns women by saying they all regularly tattle.”
At present, the Park administration has not released a public opinion about Noda’s remark.
Comments from Yahoo! Japan:
mirumo:
I think the point of the criticism is wrong. They should be arguing about the accuracy of the “tattletale diplomacy” concept. Ttongsul people.
rww*****:
It certainly is tattletale diplomacy. The part about the schoolgirl is just insulting to schoolgirls.
uch*****:
Korea is too desperate. Well, or is Japan too apathetic?
kyu*****:
> diplomatic blunder
I’ll send that phrase back to South Korea 100 times over, since they’re so busy slandering Japan.
kis*****:
” The critique also linked Noda’s remark to ‘gender issues.’” For hundreds of years, Korea has been required to contribute a “human gift” to China—in other words, there’s a history of trafficking women. The point is, they have continued to offer comfort women to China. Because it’s a gift, there’s no compensation and the trafficked women are essentially slaves… and sex slaves at that. Sex service, sex crimes. Sexism is Korea’s culture. (笑).
sunki:
Korea accepted the (Potsdam Declaration, so this is too stupid.
hta*****:
Korea’s special skill is deliberately finding someone else’s flaw and deliberately raising a fuss in order to avert that person’s criticism and dodge their own mistakes. It’s like the word “cowardice” exists just for Korea.
iwa*****:
The example is wrong! It’s not schoolgirl diplomacy, it’s hag diplomacy.
デリケートゾーン:
We should just leave the Korean’s logic alone. The intention of Noda’s remark was to say “both are to blame.” I don’t even support Noda’s comment.
asi*****:
The Gyeun-he hag’s pouting diplomacy. She uses underhanded dealings, and then pouts?
eas*****:
If you’re going to oppose it, why don’t you submit your complaints to your friends the Democratic party? It’s really trivial, so they wouldn’t care at all. But the Korean mass media can’t help but concern themselves with Japan. Japan doesn’t give a shit about Korea.
地球人:
The Korean media makes more complaints, tells more lies. Then, Japanese people are hated more. Let’s not bother helping them again.
cqc*****:
Of course Noda, who sees Mr. Abe’s strategic diplomacy towards China as comparable to the Korean lady’s tattletale diplomacy, is an incompetent politician.
chi*****:
It’s a pity, but it feels like he finally got the trouble he deserves!!! But, now she definitely can’t come to Japan, and since Prime Minister Abe isn’t a brown-noser he won’t go to South Ttongsul Land. At best, she’ll be sulking for the rest of her term!!!
pan*****:
Typical Noda, managing a remark that insults schoolgirls. I think schoolgirls are far and away more clever than Gyeung-he.
aki*****:
Just saying “noisy hag” would have been fine.
t_k*****:
No matter what you say to a Korean, it’s wrong. It isn’t easy.
cra*****:
Diplomacy and reporting that makes false accusations and contemptuous statements about Japan or Japanese people despite a lack of scientific basis or proof is irresponsible and should be stopped. Shameful.
yam*****:
Of course the Democratic party wants to partner with Korea, but Mr. Abe, please ignore them. Don’t give them anything! (。>д<) Don’t tell them anything! ┐('～`;)┌ We don’t want anything to do with them! (*｀Д´)ノ!!! As a bonus, don’t partner with them!
pen*****:
The point is, is it *true* or *false*? Lying schoolgirls like Park spread a plausible but falsified view of history to other countries, so that’s viewed as a problem.
