On August 4, writer Ushio Fukazawa held a press conference in Tokyo after being targeted in a discriminatory column published in the July 31 issue of Weekly Shincho. The column, written by former journalist Masayuki Takayama, criticized people of Korean heritage using Japanese names, directly naming Fukazawa and others, and saying, “If you hate Japan and the Japanese, then at least don’t use Japanese names.”
The column referred to Japan’s forced name-changing policy in 1940 (for Koreans under colonial rule) and called it “Name Change 2.0,” implying people like Fukazawa were voluntarily repeating that act today.
Fukazawa, who debuted with Shinchosha in 2012, expressed deep pain, saying through tears, “It felt like being shown a beautiful rooftop view, only to be pushed off from behind.” She has officially requested a written apology and space in the magazine to respond.
Other writers voiced strong support. Novelist Yuka Murayama, who also writes for Weekly Shincho, said she was shocked such a discriminatory column was allowed to be published, calling it deeply disappointing. Fellow author Asako Yuzuki, an R-18 Literary Award judge, said the piece contained factual errors and serious human rights violations, and criticized Shinchosha for not responding responsibly.
Fukazawa acknowledged the power imbalance between writers and publishers, saying, “I know I might be seen as troublesome in the literary world, but I’m speaking out because other writers are standing with me.”
She had earlier posted on X (formerly Twitter), “For a writer, realizing your publisher won’t protect you feels like walking alone on the edge of a cliff.” That post sparked widespread outrage and protest from writers, translators, and editors.
Her lawyer, Katsuhiko Tsukuda, stated the column included false claims and unfairly attacked people with foreign roots who criticize Japan. He condemned the article as a serious human rights violation.
Shinchosha told Asahi Shimbun on August 4 that it was preparing a comment by the end of the day.
by MagazineKey4532