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South Koreans call for boycott of Japanese cars, beer and cosmetics as ‘trade war’ intensifies
- Japan this week announced restrictions on hi-tech materials exported to South Korea, as both countries remain locked in a row over forced labour
- An online petition calling for Seoul to ‘retaliate’ against Japan garnered 17,000 supporters in four days
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Calls for South Koreans to boycott Japanese products ranging from cars to beer to cosmetics are mounting, with an online petition urging Seoul to “retaliate” against Tokyo for its curbs on exports of hi-tech materials garnering 17,000 supporters in four days.
The petition was posted on the presidential Blue House website on Monday after Japan announced restrictions on three key materials used by South Korean firms to make smartphone display panels and chips, a move Seoul condemned as “outright economic revenge” in light of tense bilateral ties.
The two neighbours have been locked in a row over Japan’s use of forced labour during World War II, with South Korean courts recently ordering Japanese firms to compensate victims.
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South Koreans have on social media called for people to give Japanese clothes and beer a miss, naming companies such as Toyota, Uniqlo, Kirin, Panasonic, Hondaand Descente. Even travelling there should be taboo, they argued.
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A boycott could inflict real pain on Japan’s tourism industry, considering 7.5 million South Koreans visited Japan last year, reportedly spending US$5.5 billion. However, an official from one of Japan’s largest travel agencies JTB said it would take time for the industry to feel the effects of any South Korean boycott.
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