Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Google crosses line with controversial old Tokyo maps
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090505a1.html
"We tend to think of maps as factual, like a satellite picture, but maps are never neutral, they always have a certain point of view,"
Finally, something other than swine flu and 'the world is in crisis and there's nothing you can do about it but watch us all sink into depression' report.'
Google is in trouble. This time, with the Japanese burakumins rights group and now they are on the verge of being charged by Japan's Ministry of Justice.
And for what? You may ask.
Well, to sum it up, Google uploaded a map in its Google Earth Software that outlines the villages where the Burakumins (derogatorily known as e-ta back in the Edo or Kamakura period) were delineated to living.
By the way, Burakumins are a caste of people back in the feudal class who were considered as filthy or (e-ta) because of their occupations that were related to death like leather making etc.
Because of what google did (upload a map), Toru Matsuoka, an Upper House Diet member said '
Google's system itself is a form of prejudice," and he even added that he had 'no choice' but to conclude things to be this way.
There are some things you can say about Japan (in this case, indirectly), and there are a gazillion other things that you should not be mentioning about; especially if, it so happens that you are oh-so-juicely rich.
Cause that will just make u a worthwhile (economically) candidate to sue.
Seriously, impartially speaking, is it Google's fault?
All they did was to open up a channel for anyone to understand more about Japan's feudal past. What more, what remains for the Burakumins of today remains unchanged from that of the past ableit the change in the degree of discrimination. Centuries on, prejudice and social problems are still not fully addressed instead they morph into one of the many taboos of Japan.
And when someone from the outside takes a piece of history relating to that taboo or writes about that taboo and puts it out into the public eye, you say it is a form of prejudice?
Against who may i ask. Who is the victim of this prejudice? - the 3 million Burakumins who are still living in discrimatory conditions?- Note the difference between a HIGHLIGHTER a SIGNALLER and someone or something that makes another feel delineated against.
Besides,
Look inside, who has been prejudiced against the Burakumins for this long of a time?
Then again, this is Japan.
Google should consider getting a board of censors.
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