TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese anti-Korean group rallied and marched in Roppongi, a downtown area in Tokyo, and collided with anti-racists here on Monday, highlighting Japan's nationalism-leaning issue.
Hundreds of members of Zaitokukai, an ultra-right group against privileges extended to foreigners who have been granted special foreign resident status, called to break off relations with South Korea during their march.
According to Zaitokukai's website, the racism group also launched such anti-Korean demonstration across the country, including cities like Sapporo, Sendai, Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya.
Anti-racism protesters on Monday also rallied in Roppongi with some of them holding banners that read "Go Home, Racism" "Tokyo Against Fascism" and "U.N. urges Japan to crack down on hate speech."
During the demonstration, some anti-racism demonstrators posed "one-finger salute" to the racists and tried to rush into Zaitokukai throng but were stopped by local police.
Anti-Korean demonstration and hate speeches have become an often-occurrence here, especially in Shin-Okubo area which is a Korean town in Tokyo.
Ties between Japan and South Korea are strained due to territorial dispute and historical issues. Although the two sides are trying to mend ties, such anti-Korean protests may cast shadow on the process.
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