“Uniqlo Dogs and Pigs” Japanese boycott controversy, what do you think

UNIQLO popular limited edition clothing … Some stores buy online
“Aren’t you joining the boycott of Japanese products?”
Complaints for violation of personal freedom of consumption

[아시아경제 한승곤 기자] The controversy over the boycott of Japanese products is on the rise again as people line up to buy limited edition UNIQLO clothing.

In particular, seeing the crowd of UNIQLO, a brand considered a representative product of the boycott, some online communities even criticize dogs and pigs. On the other hand, it is argued that the boycott excessively violates the consumer’s life as it cannot be forced.

On the 13th, UNIQLO will sell the ‘+ J’ products in three stores in Seoul, including the Official Online Store, Myeongdong Jungang Store, Lotte World Mall and Sinsa Store, and 3 local stores, including Hyundai Department Store Pangyo, Daegu Shinsegae and Busan Samjeong Tower. it started.

The + J (PlusJ) collection is a collaborative product that UNIQLO has been launching every year with the famous German designer Jill Sander since 2009. Some UNIQLO stores wait in line since morning due to people wanting to buy it.

The reason the J Collection is popular is that designer clothes can be purchased for a price ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 won. In the same event for the past 11 years, the shopping riots and sell-out continued. Popular items like “oversized lip blouson” and “oversized hybrid down parka” are out of stock in all sizes.

However, there are also high-ranking allegations that some people target them as “dogs and pigs”. It is an accusation that there is no common sense in the act of buying Uniqlo clothes in the situation of boycott of Japanese products.

On the 4th, a similar criticism arose in an online community. A photograph titled “a pig walking on two feet” was posted to the community. In the photo, citizens queuing for the checkout at the Uniqlo store.

The author criticized “(Georgio Bene) I remember the novel Animal Farm” and “I live in a neighborhood with these pigs dogs”. Citizens who did not participate in the boycott of Japanese products were criticized by comparing them to “dogs and pigs”.

Citizens’ assessments of the boycott of Japanese products are mixed. Kim Mo, an employee in her forties, said: “It is not a simple boycott, but a protest against the country that distorts our history.”

Moreover, he stressed, “it is a movement for consumer rights with the will to” correct history “beyond the boycott”. “In the case of Uniqlo, the representative of the company said that ‘the boycott will end soon’, and in particular, it is necessary to boycott more, but it is very pathetic.

On the other hand, there are other opinions. It is emphasized that the boycott of Japanese products is effectively enforced. Mr. Park, a 30-year-old employee, criticized “The forced boycott controversy is like an old argument” and “I think it’s an excessive invasion of people’s consumer activities.” He then underlined: “I hope that when the boycott is forced, it will no longer be a boycott, but a kind of social movement, and it will not violate individual freedom”.

It is not the first time that the controversy over the forced boycott of Japanese products has been raised. Like this long line to buy UNIQLO clothes, there was a long line of people trying to buy the “Forest of the Animals” game from a weekday morning at Shindorim Techno Mart, Guro-gu, Seoul to April.

At that time, the “Forest of the Animals” bidding event was supposed to start at 10:30, but it was already crowded by 9am and 300 people already noticed before it opened. Additionally, there has been a so-called “eastern forest” craze, with some online malls selling “Animal Forest” for more than double the list price.

In addition, the “PS5” console game console was very popular and some items were out of stock. In October, Sony Interactive Entertainment also provided additional PS5 supplies, which suffered shortages in advance bookings.

The company said: “We will be providing more PS5s for early bookings” and said, “More PS5s will be available later this year.” Like “Animal Forest”, “PS5” is also very popular. Drag. However, even at that time, criticisms raised for not boycotting Japanese products.

Experts urged the boycott to continue to be kept cautious even though it could not be forced. Seo Kyung-deok, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, said in an article on her Facebook page: “A boycott can never be forced. I also respect the choice of each individual.” The photo was also released in Japan and received a lot of criticism and derision from Japanese netizens. “

Reporter Han Seung-gon [email protected]