‘No Koreans Allowed’: Revisiting a Symbol of Discrimination in Japan After 7 Years

① Japanese Tourist Destination That Once Rejected Koreans

Tsushima is a Japanese tourist destination that began to reject Korean tourists in the past. From Busan, Tsushima is 1 hour and 30 minutes away by boat, but boycott movements continued due to anti-Korean controversy.

Channel A News recently reported from Tsushima seven years after the anti-Korean controversy. The reporter visited a restaurant in Izuhara, Tsushima. At the restaurant’s entrance was an English sign stating that only Japanese people were allowed. Despite the many empty seats, the restaurant owner said it was packed and was only open to Japanese people.

“There have been a lot of disturbances. Some people buy beer from convenience stores and drink it here, causing a nuisance to other customers,” the owner said. He explained the situation where he had suffered due to Korean tourists.

The same was true when they visited another restaurant that rejected Korean tourists. The restaurant owner said, “It’s okay to come with a regular customer. But first-time Korean customers are not allowed.” There was even a place that blatantly hung the Rising Sun Flag in front of the store.

There are still places that rejected Korean tourists even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have changed their approach. With nuanced politeness, they post a notice saying, “For Korean customers, we ask that you only enter if you are with our regular customers or are introduced by a regular customer.” They added, “We feel the same way about ill-mannered customers, whether they are Japanese or not.”

② The Anti-Korean Controversy Still Persists in Tsushima

Despite these circumstances, the number of Korean tourists visiting Tsushima has increased. Since the release of the travel ban for three years during the pandemic, the number of Korean visitors to Tsushima has been rising since last June. Many tourists take a day trip to Tsushima as it is a very short distance. The ability to take short trips and shop for duty-free items continues to attract Korean tourists.

However, with the anti-Korean controversy among Tsushima locals not subsiding, the dissatisfaction among Korean tourists is also growing. Some Korean tourists’ nuisance behavior has also caused problems for other Koreans. A Korean living in Tsushima spoke out about the behavior of some ill-mannered Korean tourists.

He said, “Koreans have been reported for littering, driving without a license, theft, and even assault.” The indiscriminate behavior of Korean tourists has led to a negative image of Koreans in Tsushima. The truth is that it’s not only the Japanese to blame when rejecting Koreans.

The behavior of some Japanese who express anti-Korean sentiment without any reason is wrong. Yet, the behavior of Korean tourists who cause trouble for locals in Japan needs to be reconsidered.

③ Reactions from Korean Tourists

The news that Tsushima is still rejecting Korean tourists has sparked a significant reaction from the Korean online community. Koreans expressed disbelief at the situation where they can’t even enter restaurants despite it being seven years.

Some tourists expressed anger, saying, “Why do we have to go there and get insulted when they say they don’t want us?” “It’s amazing that Koreans still go there knowing that,” and “Why are we getting upset about not being able to go to a place that tells us not to come? Paying money and getting nothing in return. I’d rather spend my money how I want in my own country.”

However, points have been made that the reason for the conflict between Tsushima residents and Koreans is the ill-mannered behavior of Korean tourists.

Many tourists have shared that they had seen the offensive behavior of Korean tourists in Tsushima. They said that despite the notice not to drink alcohol at Miuda Beach, a famous tourist spot in Tsushima, Korean tourists ignored the notice. They also shared experiences of seeing many Korean tourists bring their alcohol to restaurants, being loud, and yelling obnoxious language.