“Korean Wave” Hits the Wall

Korean nationalism appears to have taken its toll in Japan, too.

According to the blog rankings, Japanese bloggers are in no mood for reconciliation. And despite the popularity of all things Korean in Japan, the so-called Kan-ryuu, or Korean Wave, many bloggers are taking aim at Korea.

Choose (what you believe) Carefully! Information on Korea is the sixth most popular blog in Japan right now, according to Ninki Blog Ranking, and bills itself as an antidote for the Japanese “mass media’s tendency to beautify Korea.

Other popular political blogs include Japan’s Outrageous Asian Neighbours (currently the 7th most popular Japanese-language blog), We Don’t Need No Kan-ryuu (ranked at number 11), and The Truth About Asia – what the mass media doesn’t tell you about China and Korea (occupying 12th place).

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In the case of Ken-Kan-Ryuu, it is indeed possible to judge a book by it’s cover. “This is an extremely dangerous book,” the book jacket warns. “Why did Korea invade Japan’s territory, the Takeshima Islands?” screams another blurb. “There is no need to apologize to Korea or offer reparations,” shouts another.

As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Contrary to the old adage, the last refuge of a scoundrel is nationalism. Its latest casualty is the historical reexamination that Japan should have had decades ago.