"An Attack on Democracy"... Third-Generation Korean Candidate in Japan Outraged by 'Chosenjin' Slurs During Election Campaign

Candidate Issues Protest Statement:
"An Attack on Democracy"

A candidate of Korean descent running in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election has issued a protest statement, claiming that hate speech targeting him is spreading on social media platforms.

Candidate Masanori Kim (70), an independent running in Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Photo capture of candidate Kim

According to the Asahi Shimbun on June 19, Masanori Kim (70), an independent candidate running in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, stated in a statement released the previous day, "This constitutes an obstruction of a fair election and can also be described as an attack on democracy."

According to Kim's campaign office, a large number of hate-filled posts targeting Kim have been identified on social media, including messages such as "No need for Zainichi" and "Go back to your own country." Kim also reported hearing the derogatory term "Chosenjin," a slur against Koreans, during street campaign speeches.

In particular, Kim's campaign office claimed that the volume of hate posts against Kim on social media increased significantly after Yusuke Kawai, a city councilor from Toda City in Saitama Prefecture, singled out Kim at a joint press conference for prospective candidates held before the official election announcement and stated, "There is a candidate who should be called a traitor."

Kim, a third-generation Korean resident in Japan who acquired Japanese citizenship at the age of 68, previously filed and won a lawsuit last year against a former classmate who repeatedly posted hate speech on social media referring to him as "Zainichi Kim." In March of this year, the Tokyo District Court ordered the former classmate, referred to as Mr. A, to pay the full amount of 1.1 million yen (approximately 1,070,000 KRW) as demanded by Kim.

At that time, the court ruled, "In particular, eight of the posts insulted and incited exclusion of the plaintiff and other people of Korean or Joseon descent," determining that such actions constituted discriminatory behavior.