Jewish Group Protests SS-like Uniforms of Japanese Rock Band
Just received an e-mail press release about how the Simon Wiesenthal Center is protesting against MTV Japan for interviewing a rock group that wears uniforms modeled after those worn by Nazi Germany’s SS:
Simon Wiesenthal Center: MTV Japan should apologize for airing Interview with rock group dressed in Nazi Garb; Urges Kishidan to Drop SS-like uniforms
‘Network should interview Holocaust Survivor’The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish Human Rights NGO has expressed its shock and dismay over the appearance of the Japanese rock group Kishidan on a recent MTV-J program,”Megavector”.
Members of the band were wearing SS-like uniforms during an interview on the February 23rd prime time broadcast. “There is no excuse for such an outrage”, said rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. In protests to MTV-J, SONY Music Artists, and the Avex Group, Cooper wrote in part, “As someone who has visited Japan over 30 times, I am fully aware that many young Japanese are woefully uneducated about the crimes against humanity committed during World War II by Imperial Japan in occupied-Asia, let alone about Nazi Germany’s genocidal “Final Solution” against the Jews in Europe. But global entities like MTV and Sony Music should know better.”
“Such garb like the uniform worn by Kishidan is never tolerated in the mainstream of any civilized country outside of Japan. In spite of all the efforts made by democracies to combat bigotry, racism and hate crimes, there are young people who are attracted to a racist ideology and the symbols of Nazism like those that inspired the uniforms worn by Kishidan. It is wrong for anyone, including people in Japan to dismiss such marketing as mere “faux-rebellion,” rabbi Cooper explained.
The Wiesenthal Center is also urging that the group drop its Nazi attire and apologize to its fans and to the victims of Nazism. In addition, “the Simon Wiesenthal Center is prepared to bring an aging survivor of the Nazi Holocaust to Japan so that MTV Japan can interview someone who spent their teen years suffering starvation, depravation and torture and seeing their families being murdered for the “crime” of being born Jewish”, Cooper concluded.
From the photos attached to the e-mail, it would appear that Kishidan had the sense to drop the swastika armbands from the uniforms. Instead, their leader is wearing a red armband with some other symbol on it. The uniforms do, however, have other symbols that have been associated with the Germany army and SS, such as the Iron Cross, the Totenkopf (death’s head) and German Eagle insignia on them. The picture quality is not high enough to determine whether the eagle sits atop a swastika.
Judging from the fact that Google image search doesn’t turn up other examples of them in SS-like uniforms, it would be safe to say that they aren’t always dressed like that. They usually appear wearing variations of Ouendan-ish Japanese school uniforms. The leader wears a red armband:
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See, this is what should be shown as a response the next time someone whines about how horribly insensitive Stephen Fry and QI were to actually laugh while talking about an atomic bomb survivor.
I have no idea what this means.
What does this incident have anything to do with jokes about atomic bomb survivors?
Hiroshima atomic bombing, some group wearing nazi uniforms, what does one have to do with the other?
One man suffered and someone makes light of it. Again, what is the relevance of that with this?
Yes, what does the suffering of one man have to do with a symbol associated with the suffering of millions. Everything of course, just as one man is part of many who also suffered.
“One man suffered and someone makes light of it. Again, what is the relevance of that with this” The relevance is the Japanese media and public got all up in arms over a comedy show mentioning ABomb survivors and here we have a Japanese band wearing uniforms that offend another country and people. An apology is in order (the same as was recieved from the BBC)
the relevance is SENSITIVITY to others beyond your own myopic view of the world – just in case anyone wanted to ask me.
And nasty words from Japanese for protesting Jewish group and Israel like the nasty words from the British for protesting Japanese and Japan are in order?
Such garb like the uniform worn by Kishidan is never tolerated in the mainstream of any civilized country outside of Japan.
Yes, it is. 1968 version of The Producers, Springtime for Hitler, just to use one example.
Well, it’s pretty common in south korea, although you did say “civilized”.
The Producers is a criticism of social issues surrounding the Holocaust and the way it is depicted in media. It was directed by a Jewish man who fought in WW2.
yeah Kishidan! Love these guys!
the uniforms are definitely a missstep though…
but before the OMG Japan Racist OMGOMG!! comments start – anybody remember Johnny Rotten and the 70s punks? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_chic#Popular_usage
If the BBC has to apologise over the Stephen Fry and QI sketch, then I would say absolutely yes.
freedom of expression, rabbi doesn’t like it he should turn off his TV. history is over, I doubt they have anything against the jews, just a fashion statement. too many people are too insensitive and political correctness is ridiculous
Copper lost me not only with the usual statements about the woeful uneducation of Japanese youth about Japanese crimes against humanity (what country’s youth is woefully educated about THEIR past), but also his statements that such garb worn by this band is never tolerated in mainstream of any civilized country outside of Japan.
Oh really? I like how he specifically mentions ‘mainstream’ of ‘civilized country’ outside of Japan. I wonder what according to him is ‘mainstream’ and ‘civilized?’
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jul/11/news.culture
http://rokdrop.com/2009/06/29/korean-models-dress-up-in-nazi-uniforms-for-photo-shoot/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/01/22/korean-nazi-cosplayers-in-marketing-putsch/
http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/24-07-2009/108382-nazi_fashion-0/
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100049486/nazi-chic-from-mongolia-to-tel-aviv-angry-teenagers-think-hitler-is-cool/
http://absolutelybangkok.com/sweet-nazi-chic-it-could-only-have-happened-in-thailand/
http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/31261/nazi-hitler-poland-germany-trivia-objects-souvenir.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/top-10s/2010/05/19/holly-willoughby-and-the-celebs-who-sparked-nazi-headlines-115875-22232600/
Pop stars though they may be, they look pretty silly in those uniforms. Especially with those phallic pompadours on their heads. Somebody needs to explain the concept of cool to them.
is the hostess going to apologize for be a furry (note the tails)? where is the weisenthal center now??!
The world is too concerned with being “politically correct.” And some people are just too overly sensitive to any perceived slight. Collectively, everyone just needs to grow-up a bit.
If the BBC was forced by Japan to apologize for jokes involving an atomic bombing survivor, then it is logical to ask MTV and the group to apologize for dressing as nazis. Otherwise it is double standards. Japan cannot expect every other country to respect their sensitivities while refusing to respect other countries sensitivities.
There is no problem in protesting against this group and MTV Japan.
Some time ago, TV tokyo apologized for treating Hitler as if he had been a great man, calling Hitler Uncle Hitler on its program.
But those protesting against BBC program were not representative of Japan.
MTV is not Japan.
So your logic is not logical.
“But those protesting against BBC program were not representative of Japan.”
So, for you, the Japanese embassy in London and several government ministers are not representative of Japan. They will be glad to hear that.
”So, for you, the Japanese embassy in London and several government ministers are not representative of Japan”
Point taken.
Though it not several government ministers but just Maehara, who expressed anger over the program.
Still MTV and the group are not J government. What is logical, based on the “logic” above, is that Israel embassy and Jewish people who have complaints send protest letters to MTV Japan, and if it is fault, it is fault of the group and MTV.
The J government is not running MTV.
By the same token, it is probably logical for those who persistently supported the BBC program should support this costume.
And strictly speaking it is also logical for those who remained silent about BBC program should remain silent about this. Otherwise it is double standards, no?
The Simon Wiesenthal center is not either an official representative of any government or religion. They have the right to contest (by any means) what they consider to be insensitive or offensive. Nobody is asking the Japanese government to apologize, and you will probably not hear any foreign embassy asking for apologies. MTV and the band are responsible and have the freedom to apologize (or to ignore the demands from the Simon Wiesenthal center).
I believe that freedom of speech should not be restricted. However, with freedom comes responsibility and if you have any decency, you will usually try to avoid offending other religions/groups, etc… unless you have a good reason to do so.
Piglet
The new comment sounds much more logical, without presupposing the Japanese as monolithic entity.
And I agree that people have right to protest.
“you will probably not hear any foreign embassy asking for apologies”
Did Japanese embassy ask for apologies on this matter? Could you cite the article?
I sometimes hear foreign embassy protesting against remarks made in the country.
”
if you have any decency, you will usually try to avoid offending other religions/groups, etc… unless you have a good reason to do so.”
I just wonder why I didn’t hear this comment from you when we were discussing the BBC program—a double standard by your logic?
Agreed
“the Simon Wiesenthal Center is prepared to bring an aging survivor of the Nazi Holocaust to Japan so that MTV Japan can interview someone who spent their teen years suffering starvation, depravation and torture and seeing their families being murdered for the “crime” of being born Jewish”, Cooper concluded. ”
What the Christ?
Talk about overkill.
“The world must never forget the horrors the Jews suffered merely because they were Jewish. We must never allow this to happen again. And to keep the memory alive of how horrible state-sanctioned mass murder is, we will now bomb some Arab civilians who are living in refugee camps because we stole their land.
Signed,
Israel”
You’re showing your real ugly face, LB.
Not mine.
Israel’s.
Israel is a country that can be criticized for its actions and politics, like any other country. If you read local newspapers, the government is indeed criticized everyday. But to compare Israel politics with the Holocaust is not acceptable, as there is absolutely no comparison to be made between both. Pathetic comments like yours confirm the porous border that exists between anti-sionism and anti-semitism.
You are correct, Piglet, in that there is no direct comparison to be made between Israel’s policy towards the rightful inhabitants of the land it occupies and the Nazi policies that included the “final solution”. I myself have often chided people for comparing some event or some country’s (past) policy to the Holocaust as the Holocaust was a singularly unique event in human history.
So far.
Let’s hope it stays that way.
What I was trying to point out is the hypocrisy of Israel, the state, and people of any religious persuasion in decrying the Holocaust while ignoring that Israel (the state) is guilty of many of the same crimes against humanity, here and now, today. True, Israel has never officially advocated a “final solution” to the “Palestinian problem”. That would be admitting that Palestinians exist, which many supporters of Israel (and more than a few Israeli politicians, including former prime ministers) vehemently deny.
I had no doubt when I wrote my original post that someone would soon step in to accuse me of being “anti-semitic”, as that is the standard attack used whenever anyone from outside Israel criticizes Israel. The only problem with that charge (which those who use it are typically too thick to grasp) is that Arabs are also semites, so if one is supporting one group of semites over another, one can’t be said to be “anti-semitic” now can they?
Regardless, I am also pragmatic enough to realize that however satisfying it might be to see the state of Israel rolled up and dumped into the eastern Mediterranean, even that would not bring peace to the middle east. You’d just go back to muslims killing muslims instead of muslims and jews killing each other.
Wow, if the jewish groups are complaining about the costumes, think how much the gay groups must be complaining about the hair.
Since there is no real “music” in Japanese music groups – it’s just a bunch of poorly organized dancers/singers who cares what they wear or how they look – it’s ACTING!
Yeah, lets completely ignore underground music in Japan and solely judge a whole country based on it’s popular music, which in any country is going to be pure garbage.
You need to try harder next time.
A BIG chuckle this one.
Anyway, it’s got the “So what ifs” and the “So what if nots” blabbing.
Japanese car manufacturers are promoting Nazism too. How often do you see a swastika on the GPS display?
These uniforms are clearly SS or Gestappo copies including the eagles and death heads. It is a shameful demonstration of just how clueless these boys, their handlers and company are about he symbols they are wearing. We must not forget the history that such uniforms represent or the millions killed by men in these same symbols of hate.
Japan should condemn this display of stupidity. The band and associated companies should apologize. And MTV Japan, who should have had more common sense than the band, should equally apologize for airing this.
…and these boys seemed so ‘civilized’ didn’t they… goofballs. If the BBC have to apologise for the Fry sketch, MTV Japan – now it’s your turn.
It may not be a bad idea to apologise to hair gel/styling mousse companies around the world while they’re at it…
I don’t get it. How is this the same as making a joke about a specific person’s unfortunate experience? This is a symbol that merely -resembles- a symbol that is -associated- with people who did bad things. A real equivalent would be those atomic bomb shirts that you see people wearing, not the joke making light of a real man’s experience.
The only way a this could be compared to the QI ordeal if the band made a joke about holocaust survivors being hilariously unfortunate.
Thank you so much Weirdo.
You summed it up perfectly and to the point of what I was rambling about.
They made trouble about their costume before. At the performance of New Year Music Snow “Kouhaku Uta Gassen” 2007, DJ Ozma, leader of this band, brought his back dancers with “naked suits” looks like really naked. Soon, a promoter NHK apologized for watchers. Maybe many Japanese people already disgust about them…
If there ever was a striking example of THE double standards held against Japan, it’s threads like these.
FYI, since people keep referring to the BBC jokes about the A bomb survivor, let’s get some things straight. It was complaints from the Japanese embassy spurred by complaints from Japanese viewers that caused BBC to issue an “apology.” And here’s the first sentence of the “apology” from BBC/Talkback Thames:
“We are sorry for any offence caused.”
The classic “if apology,” which basically puts the blame on those offended, used by countless people the world over. Instead of saying we are sorry, period, they had to say, sorry FOR ANY offence caused. All of you can spin it any way you want, but that is no sincere “apology” in my book.
Anyhow, notice that when it comes to anything Japanese, even if ONE Japanese person says or does something offensive, it is representative of the entire nation and people. No other country and its people is held to such ridiculous standards. MTV Japan? Representative of Japan. This band? Ditto.
And the most infuriating thing about those who dislike Japan is their condescending attitude towards Japanese. The notion that Japanese, in their narrow views, are simply not allowed to have their own independent opinions and feelings about any issues. Yes this band should have thought better in this day and age to do something like that, and yes MTV Japan likewise. They should own up to it.
Yet, that is not enough for the Japan dislikers. They use incidents like these to try and show how “hypocritical” all Japanese are by mentioning the BBC Abomb thing. Now, if the Japanese people that were upset by the BBC thing, then in turn made light of this band incident, then yes, that is hypocrisy. But those Japanese have absolutely nothing to do with MTV Japan or this band’s actions. So there is no relevance.
So why is there any relevance at all between the two incidents, other than an attempt to show Japanese “hypocrisy” and “double standards” when there clearly is none.
Only gets better.
Must be the humour.
Maybe they should apologize about the uniforms, but I think we can all agree that they should apologize for bringing back the Flock of Seagulls haircut.
twitter: @dalton_matt
Oh, not again..
Japanese people have not a bias against nazi’s uniform…
just a super cool-looking uniform.
Jews,you must not impose your values on Japan…
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a private organization commenting on another private organization (MTV Japan) and a commercial music group. If you allow freedom of speech for MTV and this group, then you have to allow freedom of speech to the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
“Jews,you must not impose your values on Japan…”
Sounds word by word like anti-semitic propaganda.
Oh FFS….
*ring ring*
“Hello? Yes? I see, I’ll let him know. Good-bye!” (hangs up phone)
Piglet, your Kibbutz called, they want their idiot back.
I prefer the gakuran.
If these guys wanna be through, they should look into Tokkei Winspector and Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain (the Commander wears SS epaulets), and Trinity Blood.
“Such garb like the uniform worn by Kishidan is never tolerated in the mainstream of any civilized country outside of Japan.”
What about this?
Sometimes I just think that the Japanese aren’t actually expecting for people outside of Japan to see stuff like this (that or they don’t care). But whatever, in the long-run, nothing is going to happen. This isn’t going to cause any kind of international scandal. Most people will just say “Japan is weird” which is why they won’t care. It’s almost like the country itself has become it’s own explanation of it’s actions that outsiders find weird/offensive.
I do think that MTV-Japan should have a little more common sense though.