Japanese Furious Over U.S. Diplomat's 'Extortion' Remark

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC News

Japanese Furious Over U.S. Diplomat's 'Extortion' Remark
U.S. Diplomat Reportedly Called Okinawans 'Lazy' and 'Masters of Extortion'
By AKIKO FUJITA
TOKYO March 9, 2011

Comments by a U.S. diplomat reportedly disparaging the people of Okinawa as "lazy" and "masters of extortion" , have sparked outrage in Japan, and complicated already tense discussions surrounding the future of a Marine base on the country's southern island.

The comments were allegedly made by Kevin Maher, director of the State Department's Office of Japan Affairs, in an off-the-record lecture given to students at Washington's American University in December. Student notes obtained by Japanese media say Maher called Okinawans "lazy" and "masters of extortion." The news first surfaced Monday, and prompted a swift response from Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.

"If these (comments) were to be true, they not only hurt the feelings of the people of Okinawa, but all of Japan," Edano said. "It is intolerable. I am deeply saddened that this has to be reported on the news."

Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa blasted the reported comments as "extremely deplorable," while the Okinawa prefectural assembly and Naha city unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Maher's statements and demanding a retraction and apology.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/japanese-furious-reported-remarks-us-diplomat/story?id=13091505

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On edit, adding photo, story:

http://www.japanprobe.com.nyud.net:8090/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/not-very-diplomatic.jpg

Kevin Maher, Office of Japan Affairs
U.S. Official: Okinawans are “masters of manipulation and extortion”
The Asahi Shimbun has obtained a transcript of an off-the-record speech in which Kevin Maher (director of Japan affairs at the U.S. State Department) said some pretty nasty things about Okinawans:

~snip~
Maher went on to suggest that by pretending to seek consensus, Okinawan people were trying to get as much money as possible from Tokyo, according to the students.

Maher was quoted as saying “Okinawans are masters of manipulation and extortion of Tokyo.”

Maher also pointed out that Okinawa’s main industry was tourism. While an agricultural industry existed, “other prefectures grow more (goya) than Okinawa,” Maher said, in reference to the key vegetable eaten by local residents.

“Okinawans are too lazy to grow goya,” Maher allegedly said.

Other points Maher supposedly raised included the Japanese tendency to differentiate between “tatemae” (face value) and “honne” (true intentions) when speaking and that while “Okinawans claim MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Futenma is the most dangerous base in the world, they know it is not true.”

More:
http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/03/09/u-s-official-okinawans-are-masters-of-manipulation-and-extortion/

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. That's not very diplomatic for a diplomat.

[Lastactiongyro]

17. I imagine soon to be diplomat to Somalia, the only one posted there

We will parachute you in and airdrop you supplies ever so often, good luck!

[Angry Dragon]

2. Just sell the base to the Japanese and we will throw

in limbaugh and beck

[NHDemProg]

7. Don't think that'll work.

We don't have enough money to throw into the deal. Even the Okinawan's wouldn't want Beck OR Limpballs, let alone BOTH of them.

[somone]

3. World-class idiot. Hillary Clinton should fire his ass ASAP

[NBachers]

4. Dump this guy

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Surprise! He was Bush appointee.

"Maher was a Bush neocon appointee, well known for his arrogance and rudeness toward the Okinawan people. Last year when the US military insisted on its alleged right to land a shipload of GIs on the small Okinawan island of Ishigaki for “recreation”, Maher sailed in on the ship with them and made the local newspapers by shouting “Baka yaro!” (roughly, “you idiots!”) at the local demonstrators. This from a career diplomat. Not long after that he got into the papers again when, at the same Starbucks, an Okinawan customer walked up to his table and dumped a cup of hot coffee in his lap, shouting “Go Home! or words to that effect."

From 2009 article in http://www.dmzhawaii.org/?tag=kevin-maher

Here is page with his bio outlined:

http://naha.usconsulate.gov/wwwh-20060724a.html

[somone]

6. This asshole shouldn't be working at McDonald's

let alone the U.S. State Department

[Vehl]

11. not surprising! nt

[Lashes]

16. One of > those real manipulation & extortion Masters < ?

Kevin Maher, presently Director of the Office of Japan Affairs at the U.S. State Department comments that
-local residents are > master s of manipulation and extortion < in reference to their negotiations with the central (Japanese) government.
It looks like he must know what he was talking about,knowing very well apparently how`s being done the > Jewish way < - those real Masters of !

[Le Taz Hot]

18. I have to ask why the HELL he is still on staff?

Isn't the Diplomatic Corp under the S.O.S.?

[SpiralHawk]

19. Aha - Republicon Family Pharisee DipShitLomacy

Shoulda figured it was yet another arrogant RepubliWanker...They are Masters of FAIL

[Turbineguy]

20. An active participant

in Bush's "Destroy the US Government" program.

[24601]

23. His error is that Career Diplomats are not political appointees.

He's been at DOS for about 30 years, spanning multiple admins of both parties. You have to a better job analyzng bias of the cited source.

[AsahinaKimi]

8. He reminds me of someone ...AH, SOU....

(The evil principle in ferris bueller's day off)

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Maher's moustache is a bit more Hitler like.

Didja ever notice that so many people in the Bush admin. were almost anemically white?

[Vehl]

10. I thought the same thing!!!

LOL. The moment I saw his pic I was like "Ah! he looks like that nasty principal

:rofl:

[Uncle Joe]

12. If this is true, I would suggest a career change for Maher, diplomacy is not his strong suit.

Thanks for the thread, Judi Lynn.

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. Here is his background and education from the State Dept

I wanted to see where and when he came up in the ranks

See for yourself
http://naha.usconsulate.gov/wwwh-20060724a.html

Sounds like he needs to be removed

[The Northerner]

14. What a despicable rat

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. BBC radio just reported he has been removed from his post

by the State Dept.

I will try to find a link to get more info

[VermeerLives]

22. Good! (n/t)

[VermeerLives]

21. Completely irresponsible remark - the Japanese people are anything BUT lazy

They are a resourceful, disciplined people and they won't be standing around wondering what to do here. They are getting right to the task of rescue and clean-up. The have the wealth and technology and determination to do so.