Japanese housewife in search of true history

Unlike many other Japanese housewives who visit Korea as tourists, Mieko Ito had one clear reason to come. The 67-year-old housewife has been on a journey to get a closer look at Korean history and understand the pain many Koreans endured during the Japanese colonial rule of the early 20th century.

She is currently in Seoul to study Korean at Ewha Womans University. After classes, Ito visits historic places and museums across the country to face the truth about Japan’s wartime atrocities, she said.

“I hope more Japanese could face the truth about the Yasukuni Shrine and how people suffer from the war,” she was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

“I came here to learn about Korea because I thought this was my last chance to do so.”

Ito has been interested in Korean culture and history throughout her life. But it was documentary film “Annyong Sayonara” (2005) that urged her to take action against her country’s historical denials.

The film tells the story of Korean woman Lee Hee-ja, who filed a lawsuit against the Yasukuni Shrine and the Japanese government to withdraw the enshrinement of her father and other Koreans who were regarded as Japanese soldiers during the war.

“I was moved by the documentary film. I was at a loss for words with the Japanese government claiming that (World War II) was to liberate Asia despite the fact that there are many who suffered from the war,” she said.

There are over 300 supporters in Japan for Lee and her unfinished legal battle, she said, adding that she is one of them.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)