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ESJF Statement: “After ‘Lack of Freedom of Expression?’” Shut Down to Suppress Freedom of Expression

8/9/2019

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​Education for Social Justice Foundation (ESJF) denounces the ironic and uncivil decision announced on August 3 to shut down the exhibit, “After ‘Lack of Freedom of Expression?’, 「表現の不自由展・その後」.” We urge the exhibit to reopen immediately.

Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura who demanded the shutdown argued that “the exhibition could give the wrong impression that Japan accepts a South Korean claim that comfort women [Japanese military sex slaves] were forcibly taken by the Japanese military...”[1] One of the pieces on the display was "Peace Girl Statue," which symbolizes a  victim of Japanese military sexual slavery. The organizers of the Aichi Triennale 2019, “Taming Y/Our Passion” 「情の時代」, decided to shut down the exhibit instead of running it until October 14. The exhibit space is now covered up by blank barricades depriving people of over 20 art pieces at the exhibit, “After ‘Lack of Freedom of Expression?’”

Shutting down an exhibit, especially without consulting the artists, is a grave suppression of freedom of expression and political violence. One of the pieces on the display was done by a minor back in December 2016.

In April 2017, 11th grader Yun-soo Jo experienced injustice when the city funding to the Chiba Korean Elementary and Middle School was cut because she and her friend presented art pieces advocating justice for Japanese military sex slaves, which the Chiba mayor found problematic. As a result, he cut funding to the school as an unfair punitive measure. At the 2019 Aichi Triennale, she is experiencing yet another injustice associated with freedom of expression, which is the essence of democracy.

In addition to protecting the freedom of expression of the people, it is the humble duty of democratic society to provide a just and safe environment for the young generation, but the organizers of the Aichi Triennale 2019 have done completely the opposite. Shutting down freedom of expression is wrong. Shutting down freedom of minors’ expression is even more wrong and shameful.

The Japanese Centre of PEN International, a writers’ organization in Japan, released the following statement on August 3: “Eliminating the space for communication between creator and viewer robs art of its meaning and quashes the spirit of freedom, which is the driving force of society.”[1]

The Japan Art Association has protested against the shutdown of the exhibition by stating "Succumbing to pressure from the government and threatening is a serious infringement on freedom of expression."[2]

As Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura said, “highly likely, this decision violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression."[3]

To learn more about Yun-soo Jo’s painting and Chiba Korean Elementary and Middle School standing up against suppression of freedom of expression, please click here.

You can send an email to the Aichi Prefectural Triennale Promotion Office urging to reopen the exhibition at triennale@pref.aichi.lg.jp. If you’d like to see a copy the letter ESJF sent to the office, please click here. 


[1] http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/904585.html

[2] japantoday.com/category/national/mayor-rapped-for-demanding-halt-of-comfort-women-exhibition

[3] Ibid
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  • Home
    • About Us >
      • About Chiba Korean Elementary Middle School >
        • ESJF Statement: “After ‘Lack of Freedom of Expression?’” Shut Down to Suppress Freedom of Expression
        • Letter to Aichi Prefectural Triennale Promotion Office
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • ESJF in the News
  • Topics
    • "Comfort Women" History and Issues >
      • Historical Background
      • YouTube
      • 2017 Special Task Force Report on 2015 "Comfort Women" Agreement between S. Korea and Japan
      • Peace Girl Statue
      • Workshop and Lecture Request
    • Medical Atrocities in Asia & Medical Ethics
    • EARLY HISTORY OF THE ASIAN DIASPORA IN CALIFORNIA
  • Educator Resources
    • "Comfort Women" History and Issues >
      • Historical Background >
        • Introduction
        • Eric Mar's Chronology
        • Steven Whyte & Ellen Wilson
        • Chronology: Teaching "Comfort Women" History from the 1990s to Present
      • Primary Source Documents >
        • Concerning the Recruitment of Women for Military Comfort Stations
        • Psychological Warfare Interrogation Report No. 49
        • Psychological Warfare Interrogation Bulletin No. 2
        • SEATIC Psychological Warfare Bulletin No. 182
        • G-3 Daily Dairy
        • CBI Roundup
        • Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) No. 470
        • Research Report No. 120: Amenities in the Japanese Armed Forces
        • Photos
      • Secondary Source Documents/ Further Resources >
        • Secondary Resource References
        • International Joint Statement, January 7, 2018
        • International Joint Statement, October 6, 2018
        • International Joint Statement, March 1, 2019
        • International Joint Statement, July 2019
      • 2017 Special Task Force Report on 2015 "Comfort Women" Agreement between S. Korea and Japan
      • 2017 CA H-SS Framework
      • Lesson Plans >
        • ​Reality and trauma of military sexual slavery
        • Denial of legal and historical responsibility
        • ​Remembering and honoring "comfort women"
        • Sex trafficking
        • Collective activism
        • Contemporary movements towards justice
      • Worksheets
      • Activity Sheets
      • YouTube >
        • First Video Footage of Korean "Comfort Women": July, 2017
        • First Video Footage of Mass Murdered "Comfort Women": Feb. 2018
        • Animation Herstory
        • Life as a "Comfort Woman": Story of Kim Bok-Dong
        • 2015 "Comfort Women" Agreement and Victims' Reaction
        • 2018 International "Comfort Women" Day
        • Justice for the victims of the Japanese military “comfort women” system
        • Wednesday Rally
      • Workshop and Lecture Request
    • Medical Atrocities in Asia & Medical Ethics >
      • Primary Source Documents
      • Secondary Source Documents/ Further Resources
      • Video Footage for Classroom
      • Appendices
      • Workshop and Lecture Request
    • Early History of the Asian Diaspora in California >
      • China
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Philippines
      • Vietnam
      • Workshop and Lecture Request
  • Our Publications
    • "Comfort Women" History and Issues: Teacher Edition >
      • How to Order
    • "Comfort Women" History and Issues: Student Edition >
      • How to Order
    • Medical Atrocities in Asia and Medical Ethics >
      • How to Order
  • Professional Development Events
  • Partners
  • Give