[News Terms] 100 Years Ago Today... Kanto Earthquake and Massacre

From 3 to 5 Days After the Earthquake
6,000 Zainichi Koreans Sacrificed
Japanese Media and Civic Groups Criticize Government

The Great Kanto Earthquake that struck the Kanto region of Japan marked its 100th anniversary on the 1st. However, the truth behind the Kanto Massacre, which occurred immediately after the earthquake, has yet to be uncovered. The Japanese government continues to maintain a stance of denial in official settings, stating that there are no records of the massacre. On the contrary, progressive Japanese media and civic groups have criticized the government, urging it to investigate the truth and issue an apology, creating a divided atmosphere within Japan.

The Kanto Massacre refers to the killings of Korean residents in Japan following the magnitude 7.9 Great Kanto Earthquake that struck the Kanto region, including Tokyo and Yokohama, at 11:58 a.m. on September 1, 1923. Rumors spread throughout the devastated Kanto area, such as "Koreans poisoned wells" and "they are setting fires." These false rumors led to indiscriminate massacres targeting Korean residents in Japan. It is estimated that around 6,000 people were killed, but the exact number remains unknown.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Scholars believe that these massacres occurred nationwide from September 3 to 5, following the earthquake. A common method to identify Korean residents was by their accent. They were asked to pronounce phrases with strong Japanese intonation, such as ‘15 yen 50 sen (Jugoen gojusen)’ or ‘banshaku (jabutong),’ or to sing the Kimigayo anthem and name past emperors to identify Koreans. Those who pronounced words awkwardly or failed to respond were presumed to be Korean residents and became targets of the massacre.

Despite the passage of 100 years, the Japanese government still shows no intention of investigating the truth or expressing remorse. On the 30th of last month, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu avoided commenting on the Kanto Massacre during a press conference, stating, "There appear to be no records within the government to ascertain the facts." When asked by reporters whether the government planned to investigate the facts, he responded negatively.

Unlike previous governors of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike of the Liberal Democratic Party has effectively refused to commemorate the Korean victims by not sending condolence messages to the memorial service held in a park with a monument for Korean victims, except in her first year in office in 2016.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, progressive Japanese media and civic groups have criticized the government’s stance. The Tokyo Shimbun published an article investigating why the media at the time did not report on the Kanto Massacre. In the cultural and artistic sectors, films criticizing the massacre have been released and exhibitions featuring testimonial materials have been held to mark the 100th anniversary.

In various parts of downtown Tokyo, memorial services for the victims of the Kanto Massacre and anti-Korean rallies by far-right groups opposing these commemorations are expected to be held simultaneously.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.