Fuji TV in hot water over "Jap bastards" controversy
Fuji TV's popular drama, "Soredemo, Ikiteyuku" has caused a controversy due to the front cover of a fictional publication reading "JAP 18." The Internet has been set abuzz with people discussing "Jap" being a disparaging word for Japanese people and "18" being a Korean slang word.
The cover of the publication appeared in the September 8 episode of the drama. A theme dealing with an incident that resulted in injury 15 years ago was addressed, and the controversial words were shown splashed across the fictional weekly pictorial.
Is "18" used as some kind of slang in Korean?
"Jap" is a word from the shortened English "Japanese," used by foreigners when scorning Japanese people.
The fictional publication in the episode supposed to be a parody of "Friday" magazine, and "JAP18" was more than likely supposed to be a fictional twist on popular idol group AKB48.
So, why was "48" not used, but "18"? While the authenticity is unknown, on the net it is being discussed that "18" is used by Koreans as slang for "shithead" or "bastard." In Korean, 18 is pronounced "shippar" which closely resembles the pronunciation of "shibal" which can mean "this bastard" or "shithead" or "asshole" and is a banned word in Korea for broadcast.
Fuji TV has been recently under fire for overemphasizing the Korean Wave and a protest was held in front of their offices on 8/21.
Is one of the drama's creators proficient in Korean?
Work has begun by netizens to find out about the staff behind the drama.
Through the official blog of the show, it was found out that one staff member is proficient in Korean, and when one searches that person's name, the blog of the university club to which said staff member belonged is full of entries by that staff member using "Jap." Therefore, questions are arising as to whether it was this person's influence.
When one searches the various names written on the fictional publication in the episode, it includes names of coworkers at Fuji TV, former fellow university club members of the staff members, university friends, etc., making it difficult to believe that this as just a coincidence.
When contacted, Fuji TV said, "As it is Saturday, the person in charge of that area is not in, so we cannot comment."
Source
Translation - koutaishi
SMH, Fuji!