Through a dialogue between Japanese commentators, this article examines pre-annexation literacy rates in Korea, education under Japanese rule, and the widening gap in historical perception between Japan and South Korea. It explores why these facts remain little known and how they continue to shape bilateral relations.

This dialogue examines Japan–South Korea relations through historical literacy rates, education, and modernization during the period of Japanese rule.
It highlights how key facts—such as low pre-annexation literacy and subsequent educational expansion—are largely absent from contemporary Korean public discourse.
By contrasting historical data with current nationalist narratives, the article argues that a deeper understanding of these facts is essential for reassessing bilateral relations and the persistent gap in historical perception between the two countries.

2017-07-03
This is a continuation of the previous chapter.
“Keeping Distance for Korea’s Own Sake.”
Naoki Hyakuta.
The Japanese people have long responded to unreasonable demands from Korea by saying, “All right, we’ll accept those conditions as well,” and “We’ll make that concession too.”
However, over roughly the past ten years, a feeling has grown among the Japanese people that says, “That’s enough already.”
Sun-hwa Oh.
When President Lee Myung-bak landed on Takeshima, and when he made remarks implying that the Emperor should kneel and apologize if he wished to visit Korea, and when President Park Geun-hye went around the world spreading anti-Japanese rhetoric, many Japanese people became angry and thoroughly fed up.
Naoki Hyakuta.
Even if we do not go so far as to sever diplomatic relations, wouldn’t it be better at this point to stop all assistance and draw a clear economic line between Japan and Korea?
Only then might the Korean side finally reflect and say, “Perhaps we went a bit too far,” but is that thinking too naive?
Sun-hwa Oh.
Politically, it is better for Japan to keep its distance from Korea.
During the Park Geun-hye administration, Korea itself created that distance, and when that caused problems, it tried to move closer to Japan again.
Korea has become completely dependent on Japan, so Japan should deliberately create distance and push Korea away.
Naoki Hyakuta.
Korea is like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.
A child cries, “Mom, buy this for me,” and when told, “No, be patient,” throws a screaming fit.
Then the parent says, “All right, all right, just for today,” and buys it anyway.
Japan has been doing this all along.
“I Want to Publish in Korea!”
Sun-hwa Oh.
Japan should take a more resolute stance toward Korea.
Just as that was beginning to happen, I was surprised to see the title of Mr. Hyakuta’s latest book, Now Is the Time to Apologize to Korea.
Naoki Hyakuta.
The obi even says, “Naoki Hyakuta’s Tearful Grand Apology!”
The exact opposite of resolute.
But if I may say so myself, it is a confident work that covers Korean history up to contemporary issues.
“We were wrong to build schools, wrong to carry out land reform,” and I apologize from beginning to end.
Sun-hwa Oh.
During the period of Japanese rule, Korea’s population doubled, medical technology improved, and life expectancy increased.
That was because Japan attempted to modernize Korea in the same way as the mainland.
Although that achieved a certain degree of success, in Korea it is claimed that everything was done solely to exploit Korea, and that this was “Japanization of the mainland” in that sense.
In the book, Mr. Hyakuta writes with irony along those lines.
Naoki Hyakuta.
I hope that irony comes across.
Before annexation, literacy was around 10 percent, so Japan provided Hangul and education.
Education by force, you might say.
Sun-hwa Oh.
Today, almost no Koreans know that Hangul was widely disseminated by Japanese hands through education during the period of Japanese rule.
Without even attempting to look at such historical facts, Hangul is now praised as “the world’s greatest writing system” and tied to nationalism and patriotism.
Therefore, if Koreans read this book, I believe there will be many moments when they realize, “What? Is that really so?”
Naoki Hyakuta.
I wrote this book not only for Japanese readers but also in the hope that Koreans will read it.
Sun-hwa Oh.
Books critical of Korea do not sell in Korea.
Most Koreans do not even pick them up.
But with this title, some people might pick it up, and some might even agree.
Naoki Hyakuta.
I would very much like Ms. Oh Sun-hwa to translate it.
Sun-hwa Oh.
If my name—someone banned from entering Korea—were listed as the translator under this title, people would be shocked and ask, “What on earth is happening in Japan?”
No, if my name were there, it would be assumed to be a pro-Japan, anti-Korea book.
There was a time when my first book was about to be translated and published in Korea.
Apparently, without knowing the contents, they tried to publish it simply because it was selling well in Japan.
After it was produced, no bookstores accepted it, and it remained piled up in the publisher’s warehouse.
It was probably discarded.
The president of a Korean publishing company once told me, “I think your book would sell if published in Korea, but if we published it, our company would be destroyed.”
However, with Mr. Hyakuta’s book, there may be a possibility.