"Koreans Boast Fake Rolexes While Eating Cup Ramen"… Japanese Newspaper Closes After Serializing Article

Japanese Sankei Shimbun-affiliated far-right media 'Sekkan Fuji'
Ceases publication after 56 years... "Role fulfilled"

Japan's Sankei Shimbun-affiliated far-right media outlet 'Sekkan Fuji' has decided to suspend publication after 56 years since its founding.

According to Yomiuri Shimbun and others on the 1st, Sankei Shimbun will suspend the evening newspaper Sekkan Fuji, which it publishes, after the January 31 issue next year (February 1 edition). The online version of Sekkan Fuji, 'Zakzak,' will also operate only until January 31 next year.

Sankei Shimbun cited the reason for the suspension as "rising costs of newspaper paper and transportation expenses, along with a decline in subscribers due to the spread of digital devices including smartphones," adding, "We have fulfilled a certain role as an evening paper."

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

Founded in February 1969, Sekkan Fuji was one of the representative media outlets that produced anti-Korean articles. Sekkan Fuji published more provocative anti-Korean articles than Sankei Shimbun, which is classified as right-wing.

In particular, Murotani Katsumi, known as a far-right figure in Japan, serialized articles in this media outlet. He made claims such as "Young Koreans eat instant cup noodles for dinner while taking photos to show off wearing fake 'Rolex' wristwatches against the backdrop of empty 'Hermes' boxes," "Korea has always been a country that is outwardly proud but inwardly poor," and "Korean tourists come to Japan looking only for cheap food like convenience store lunch boxes," which sparked criticism domestically.

Meanwhile, due to its nature as a yellow press, the newspaper was mainly sold to office workers on their way home at convenience stores in major subway stations. Promotional posters were also posted at sales stands in large train stations crowded with people and convenience stores in busy districts. Sankei Shimbun expressed, "We sincerely thank the readers who have supported Sekkan Fuji over many years."