Jun Okumura
August 12, 2003
I was astounded to find that Michael Yoo is a native Korean. But heartened as I am that Mr. Yoo is willing to consider a leading role for Japan, ROK and China will not allow that to happen.
First, Japan will not be the focal point for gathering information on escapees because the main sources, ROK and China, will not agree to it. How could they accept such a role for a party that, in their view, is the historical cause of the problem?
As for the second point, international coordination, ROK and China will bear the brunt of the problem, but are just as unlikely to accept a leading role for Japan for the same reason. Japan may need a coordinating organization, but its only international role will be as a Japanese portal.
Third, Japan does not have the international cache to establish any sort of international guideline, or even to take a leading role in that respect. Aside from the feelings of its two neighbors, Japan just has been too restrictive on accepting refugees and, on a more general level, immigrants to have an important say on this issue.
Fourth, however emotionally gripping the hostage issue may be for the Japanese public, it is a minor issue to the outside world. South Koreans have seen a far greater number of their compatriots disappear. They have endured the assassination of their prime minister and other high government officials in Burma. They have witnessed the bombing of a South Korean airliner. Yet South Korea is willing to seek rapprochement while leaving these and other transgressions unaccounted for. However great a tragedy the plight of the hostages and their families may be for us, it is a subject of fleeting interest to the global audience.
Nevertheless, there is a way for Japan to stake out a substantial position on this issue. And, no, the Japanese authorities do not have to prostrate themselves before the Koreans and ask for forgiveness yet again for past sins.
First, Japan must announce that it is willing to accept a substantial number of Korean refugees. Ideally, this would a part of a comprehensive review of immigration policy that moves away from the focus on attracting a small sliver of the intellectual elite from developing countries. Japan should be willing to accept the establishment of non-native Japanese communities.
Second, Japan must commit a substantial amount of funds to the assistance and the resettlement of refugees. The money can, with appropriate controls, be spent anywhere, including in Japan.
While a DPRK collapse would create a flood, a gradual decline will give rise to a stream; and even a soft-landing scenario would result in a substantial dribble. If the ROK and China are unwilling to face up to the inevitable flow of refugees that will ensue in the not-so-far-off future, it is in the geopolitical interests of Japan to seize the initiative by announcing its intentions on this issue.
But I digress. In any case, there are a variety of options. A substantial Korean community already exists in Japan. So it should be easier, relatively speaking, to absorb a large number of Koreans.
