Japanese Visitors Say They Do Not Trust N. Korea

Odaiba, one of the most popular leisure destinations in Tokyo, also well known as a dating place for young couples, was crowded with middle-age tourists, not young people.

This is due in part to the sunken North Korean spy ship Jangeo 3705 which has been on exhibit at the Museum of Maritime Science in Odaiba since May 31. The Jangeo 3705 sank southwest of Kyushu during a battle with a Japanese Coast Guard patrol ship at the end of 2001. A large number of people have visited the museum to view the spy ship. This is all part of increased interest in North Korea`s kidnapping Japanese citizens and its illicit nuclear development program, which have been highlighted every day by Japanese media.

Over 160,000 people have visited the museum over the past 15 days. “People are coming in from other cities, such as Osaka and Nagoya. They come in groups on sightseeing buses,” an official at the Marine Security Association which organized the event said.

The faces of the Japanese in the museum were serious. The 1st exhibition hall displays the actual sunken ship at the time of sinking and the 2nd exhibition hall displays weapons and equipment of North Korean spies. Also a movie which shows every moment of the spy ship from the advent to sinking was screened in a hall.

“After seeing the spy ship with my own eyes, I realize how dangerous our surroundings are. We are practically at war,” a man in his 50s said.

“I am scared. North Korea is a neighbor that we cannot trust to work together with us,” a woman in her 40s said.

A considerable number of people seemed to nod their heads as if to confirm the fact once again that North Korea is a country the Japanese will never trust.

“The spy ship was probably connected to the mafia in Japan and came to Japan on a drug smuggling mission. Japanese politicians should be blamed for not paying attention to North Korean ships which have been coming to and from Japan for the past few decades,” Suzuki Osamu (68), an ex-engineer said.

Only the frame of the spy ship which is 29.68ms by 4.66ms remains. However, a few dozens of bullet marks are still clearly visible.

Visitors paid high attention to the weapons section which displays surface to air missile launchers, 82mm recoilless rifles, machine guns, automatic rifles, and grenades.

“This is my first time to see real weapons. Today`s North Korea reminds me of what the imperialistic Japanese government was like in the 60s,” an office worker in his 30s said.

The Japanese Coast Guard which organized the exhibition free of charge emphasized that `the Sea of Japan is not safe` in a pamphlet indirectly giving a reminder of the need for reinforcing its forces. The spy ship is hence being used as an educational tool for arousing Japanese people, who have been used to their peace constitution for over half a century, with patriotism and security consciousness.

parkwj@donga.com