Controversial Art Exhibit Opens In Osaka Despite Threats

A controversial art exhibition featuring works with purported anti-Japan messages, including a statue symbolizing "comfort women" who worked in wartime military brothels, opened late last week in Osaka under tight security amid repeated threats and protests, Mainicihi Japan reported.

"Hyogen no Fujiyu-ten Kansai" (Non-Freedom of Expression Exhibition Kansai) to be held through Sunday at a prefectural labor center, displays more than 20 works, also including a film featuring a scene where an image of Emperor Hirohito, the grandfather of the current emperor, is burned to ashes.

People opposed to the exhibit continued protesting throughout the day, with demonstrators assembled nearby seen arguing with supporters. As dozens of people lined up to see the exhibition before it opened, police were on guard after threatening letters and suspicious objects were sent to the venue since early this week.

On Friday evening, a knife-style letter opener and a letter protesting the event were mailed to the venue, according to labor center officials, who said they are considering filing a complaint with the police.

"Freedom of expression is being exterminated by this strange atmosphere in society. I am anxious about trouble, but I felt that if I missed this chance, I would not be able to see it again," said a 39-year-old Osaka resident who was among the visitors to the exhibition.

A member of the exhibition's organizing group urged people "not to crush the exhibition for holding a different opinion" and said it hopes people will go to see the works before making a judgment. A man belonging to a nationalist group protesting against the event said "Jt is politically biased and it is wrong to use a public facility to hold an exhibition which undoubtedly stirs controversy."

Although acts of violence are unacceptable, "It should be canceled before anything happens, as there have already been safety concerns," he added.

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