Blaming the Japanese
Surprise, surprise: There are increases in hate crimes against Americans of Japanese descent (“Japanese-Americans Fear Rise of Hate Crimes,” Feb. 9). Unfortunately, this is the inevitable result of having a President who uses Japan as a scapegoat for the deficit-increasing policies of his predecessor, auto makers that blame Japan because they cannot face up to their own greed and mismanagement and the media that insist on commemorating the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Granted, Japan has made a lot of mistakes by criticizing American auto workers and buying such visible icons as Rockefeller Plaza. Yet the zeal with which we criticize the Japanese seems to outweigh their actions.
President Bush does not realize that every time he blames Japan for the problems of this country, he gives the public permission to be racist. Maybe this will get him reelected, but in the long run, he puts at risk the lives of all Americans of Asian descent.
DENA K. CHUANG
Cerritos
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