Old Japanese Maps On Google Earth Unveil Secrets

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CNDW0K

Zsoelmsr of KS 10:20AM July 14, 2009

another "let's re-write history because it doesn't suit our PC attitudes now?????

Jim Stansbury of FL 10:33AM May 05, 2009

Isn't there a zip code 'thing' with mortgage lenders, credit card comapnies; real estate companies here in the USA that discriminates. Watch how developers will 'move' zip codes, to gain more money for their products (homes/condos etc).
Lots of songs written about being born on the wrong side of the tracks.

bill of NY 4:52PM May 04, 2009

Japan and its people, though quite a differenct Nation since there MacArthurization post WWII, still suffer form being unable to accept, admit to, and apologize for there past and present history. Japan has never taught the whole truth in its class rooms about its role in WWII, or its war atrocities and crimes during the long Shinto Religious led, military-industrial period from about 1895 thru 1945. Now you expect them to be big enough to owe up to ethic discrimination, a hidden class system within there own society, the crimes and atrocities that occurred in Asia, China and to captured allied forces during this period and for what is still going on today? I do not think so. They would see it as loosing honor and 'face'...hmmm, is it not hard to loose something one does not have in the first place?
To JAPAN and the Japanese People, it is long past due for you to own up to the crimes and other atrocities of a past generation and for the ills that still carry on in your society today. Please, cleanse yourself now so that when you are "Googled" in the future you can honestly be seen moving forward with honor.

Lewis R. Lowden, North Star, MI, USA of MI 8:46PM May 03, 2009

In the United States, many people are upset because their jobs are being filled by cheap illegal immigrant labor. So in reaction people get upset at the immigrants (who are just trying to survive), when in fact the problem lies with the employers who are willing to pay illegally low wages to people because they know have no legal protection as aliens.
In a similar way, here in Japan the problem is not that Google put up maps which were historical documents. Rather, the problem is that employers are still discriminating, and apparently there is little check-and-balance to stop them from doing it. Japan doesn't understand discrimination very well, unfortunately.
Google can be blamed for being careless with its cameras, etc., but in this case Google simply stumbled onto a problem that is very real -- and which Japan would rather not admit is still a problem at all. One's address should make no difference in job selection, marriage eligibility or school admission. Google was not being discriminatory by putting up the maps: Japan simply still has a big problem with discrimination -- which people would rather not admit.

Ramone Romero 5:48AM May 03, 2009

I find it hard to believe that people have a problem with these maps, considering what they reveal, and current attitudes exposed through all this. Average people are shunned and discriminated against because of their zip code? And the problem is that we're looking at historical maps of Japan?
For the love of God...

Myxxolydian of CA 12:11AM May 03, 2009

Obviously , the caste system is alive and well in Japan .
It's amazing that these ancient maps still reveil current
prejudices . These maps are public record and tell truths that need to be told .
Google isn't responsible for covering up dirty little secrets .
They simply made the maps public.

Peter Clough of NJ 8:01PM May 02, 2009

Google Steet View is already invading people's right to privacy; now this new "service" is equally infringing on people's history. When will the Google Team stop their frantic hunger for more and more and more of everything?
They are more dangerous than Orwell's Big Brother.
Contrary to their motto, they are very close to being harmful, intentionally or not!

Harold Onraet Khelf 6:29PM May 02, 2009