“K-pop event in Nara” receives a flood of protests; Governor of Nara explains, “Even young people in Japan who don’t have much money can love K-pop” 12/13 (Fri) 10:34 Sponichi Annex Nara Governor Makoto Yamashita (56) updated his official x (formerly Twitter) account on the 13th. He expressed his views on the protests against a free K-pop event planned to be held in Nara Park. [Photos] DJ Soda: “Anti-Japanese sentiment is a misunderstanding” He once posted a picture of the Japanese flag on Instagram, “I also wrote that I want to live in Japan for Calpis” With the aim of deepening friendship with South Korea, Nara Prefecture is planning to hold a “music exchange event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea and the 15th anniversary of the friendly partnership between Nara Prefecture and South Chungcheong Province” in October next year. According to a report in the Asahi Shimbun, the project cost has been set at approximately 270 million yen, but doubts have been raised about the project’s validity. This report caused a huge reaction online, with many people expressing doubts. Governor Yamashita announced his views on the event, writing, “We have received a variety of opinions regarding the music exchange event that Nara Prefecture plans to hold in October next year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea and the 15th anniversary of the friendly partnership between Nara Prefecture and South Chungcheong Province, so I would like to explain the background circumstances.” First, “Since the Asuka period in the 6th and 7th centuries AD, Nara Prefecture has had exchanges with Baekje, a country that existed in what is now South Chungcheong Province, Korea. When the allied forces of Tang and Silla tried to destroy Baekje, the Yamato Imperial Court, fearing that if Baekje was defeated, Japan would be invaded by them, sent troops to Baekje in 663 AD and fought against the allied forces of Tang and Silla together with Baekje, but was defeated (Battle of Baekgang). After that, many immigrants from defeated Baekje came to Japan and brought with them Chinese characters, Confucianism, weaving, shipbuilding and other cultures and technologies,” he explained the historical background. “Due to these historical circumstances, Nara Prefecture and South Chungcheong Province formed a friendship partnership in 2011 and have continued to exchange ever since. In the midst of all this, the idea of holding a music exchange event next year came up,” he explained. He also revealed his intention behind planning to hold the event free of charge, saying, “Initially, we planned to charge an admission fee, but in light of the purpose of international friendship and goodwill, we decided that it would be more appropriate to make it free, and that we would likely receive more support that way.” “The Chungcheongnam-do side will cover the costs of sending the artists, while Nara prefecture will cover the costs of setting up the venue and providing security,” it said. Regarding the cost, “It will cost hundreds of millions of yen, but young people in Japan who don’t have much money will be able to experience their favorite K-pop artists live, and it will deepen the exchange between the generations that will be responsible for the friendship between our two countries in the future. “We have determined that this will create value that cannot be replaced by money.” “Cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea is essential for Japan to confront Russia and North Korea. No matter who becomes the prime minister or president of our two countries, exchanges between regions and among the private sector are important to maintaining good Japan-Korea relations, and both governments are supporting this,” he said, referring to current international issues. “Deepening the ties between Nara Prefecture and South Chungcheong Province, which have continued since the Battle of Baekgang in 663, is part of this, and it should not be considered simply in terms of whether it is expensive or cheap. We hope you will understand the purpose of holding this event in our prefecture.” Regarding cost measures, he stated, “We will continue to make efforts to reduce the costs borne by Nara Prefecture by securing sponsorship from companies and recruiting volunteers.”
A K-POP event will be held at Nara Deer Park for 270 million yen. The governor, a former Asahi Shimbun reporter and lawyer, made the decision unilaterally after visiting South Korea, even putting off leftists… [776365898]
If the setting is about young people in Japan who don’t have money, then there will be a lot of young people who can’t make it to Nara. It’s not just out of touch, it’s just too stupid lol. It would be fine to just have a small commemorative ceremony with partner cities lol. It should be sent back to the prefectural assembly for rework lol.
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