Link to above video:
Japan, you have enemies within
A South Korean photographer named Ahn SeHong (or Ahn
Se-Hong) in 2012 scheduled a photograph exposition in a public area in a Nikon
building in Osaka, Japan. It was to
feature photographs of Comfort Women.
This planned event resulted in Nikon receiving criticism for allowing
such an exposition. In the interest of
public safety and fear of possible violence Nikon canceled the photograph
show.
Ahn SeHong then rescheduled the event in another building in
Osaka. Mr. Ahn SeHong is South Korean
living in Japan. He sued Nikon for
suppression of “freedom of expression” as guaranteed under the Japanese
Constitution, specifically article 21.
Japanese Constitution, Article 21 which reads in part:
“Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech,
press and all other forms of expression are guaranteed.”
Historically constitutions that guarantee “freedom of
speech” and/or “expression” protect the citizenry from government
censorship. In the USA the “freedom of
speech” (and by extension “freedom of expression) protects citizens from the
government suppression of both. Expressing
anti-government rhetoric is protected from government censorship. However it does not prevent a private
enterprise from restricting speech and/or expression on their property or
within their employ.
A Japanese judge ruled in Ahn SeHong’s favor awarding him a
sizeable monetary judgement.
Nikon’s decision should have been protected under private
property rights. Does the Japanese
constitution protect freedom of speech / expression extends to private
enterprises? Would this court’s decision
be upheld on an appeal?
If this decision is left to stand then companies throughout
Japan may restrict or end their public access areas to avoid lawsuits. Meaning anyone would be able to have access
to public access areas on private property no matter how repugnant it may
be.
Ironically such freedoms are not enjoyed in South Korea, Mr.
Ahn SeHong’s homeland. Article 21 of the
South Korean constitution reads in part:
Article 21, section 4
of the South Korean Constitution reads:
“4. Neither speech nor the press shall violate the honor or
rights of other persons nor undermine public morals or social ethics. Should
speech or the press violate the honor or rights of other persons, claims may be
made for the damage resulting therefrom.”
Basically freedom of speech is restricted in South Korean so
this South Korean Ahn SeHong travels to Japan to abuse the Japanese
constitution. Nice eh?
Korean photographer in Japan wins lawsuit:
Related articles:
Here is the photographer’s website:
Now his Facebook page:
Link to Texas Daddy store:
