Google Earth vs the Burakumin

The Japan Times today published an AP report on Google’s most recent clash with a civil rights group:

When Google Earth added historical maps of Japan to its online collection last year, the search giant didn’t expect a backlash. [...] But Google failed to judge how its offering would be received, as it has often done in Japan. The company is now facing inquiries from the Justice Ministry and angry accusations of prejudice because its maps detailed the locations of former low-caste communities.

[...]

Lists of “dirty” addresses circulate on Internet bulletin boards. Some surveys have shown that such neighborhoods have lower property values and residents have been the target of racial taunts and graffiti. But the modern locations of the old villages are largely unknown to the public, and many burakumin prefer it that way.

Google Earth’s maps pinpointed several such areas. One village in Tokyo was clearly labeled “eta,” a now strongly derogatory word for burakumin that literally means “filthy mass.” A single click showed the streets and buildings that are currently in the same area.

Google posted the maps as one of many “layers” available via its mapping software, each of which can be easily matched up with modern satellite imagery. The company provided no explanation or historical context, as is common practice in Japan. Its basic stance is that its actions are acceptable because they are legal, one that has angered burakumin leaders.

“If there is an incident because of these maps, and Google is just going to say ‘It’s not our fault’ or ‘It’s down to the user,’ then we have no choice but to conclude that Google’s system itself is a form of prejudice,” said Toru Matsuoka, an Upper House Diet member. [...]

[For more information on the Burakumin's history, take a look at my previous post on the issue: Burakumin]

Of course, Google has recently been under fire (in Japan and the UK especially) for invading people’s privacy with Google Streetview. Personally, I have no problem with that. It is a highly useful tool, and it’s not really an invasion of privacy… it’s not real time, it’s just a snapshot of the street and its houses that is far less intrusive than actually  standing outside someone’s house. I can’t go through the bins, I can’t look inside the windows, and what I see could be months or years old.

Of course, this new issue is different. It’s about publishing the historical locations of areas whose populations are still subject to discrimination, including discrimination due to where they live and/or were born. The Buraku Liberation League need no urging to jump onto this kind of issue. They actively seek out anything that can be construed as discrimination, as you might imagine, and are persistent in stamping it out. Google has already censored the maps, removing the references to Etamura (Filth Villages).

The situation raises a major issue: is Google wrong to publish historical maps in their entirety? Should it be censoring historical documents? Many of the locations of Buraku are widely known in their locales, and such historical maps are clearly accessible to employers who still discriminate against Burakumin. Google made the information easily accessible, just like so much of the internet.

Is fostering ignorance the best solution to the Burakumin discrimination problem? I’m no so certain. Ignorance would certainly work to stop pervasive discrimination, but the information still exists in oral history, archives, and employment agencies. By hiding their history, the Burakumin can never make the rest of the country come to terms with it. They are hobbling their own efforts while neglecting the long-term battle that still awaits.

Meanwhile, it is rather telling that this is being picked up by the foreign press while the Japanese press seemingly remains silent. A Google search revealed no articles covering this in the Japanese press, although perhaps it was picked up earlier on (foreign reporting of Japanese news is usually a month or so behind!).  The closest I could find is this article quoting the American Yahoo! News. If this is truly the case, then it acts as a reminder of just how much the BLL has to fight for.