Tag Archives: Foreign Policy in Focus

Kevin Maher, who described Okinawans as "extortionist" and "lazy" has resurfaced. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, the former head of the U.S. State Department's Japan desk said his comments were invented by American University students who attended a now notorious lecture last December by Maher in preparation for their study-trip to Okinawa. The insults were made public in March, causing a furor throughout Okinawa. Subsequently, Maher stepped down from his post.After the 3/11/11 disasters, Maher joined U.S. "Operation Tomodachi." He will be meeting 30 Japanese politicians from Japan when they visit Washington D.C. from May 1 to May 5. The contingent includes Okinawan MP Mikio Shimoji, whose family construction business benefits from military contracts.In this article for Foreign Policy in Focus, American University professor David Vine rebuts Maher's denial with recorded notes from the lecture, including direct quotes in which Maher describes Japanese society as an "extortionist culture," adding that "Okinawans. . .are masters at this."