Regarding the Sept. 14 Bloomberg article "Japan to protest Olympic cartoons" (carried by French satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine): The article makes some of the differences between Japanese and French society quite apparent.
We know that satirical cartoons use humor to show faults or weaknesses. But some of us cannot admit that the [published cartoons poking fun at Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympics in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster] are worthwhile.
Satire should either elicit our admiration or please us. We expect the newspaper editors to be sympathetic to our concerns irrespective of individual preferences and the social circumstances. I'm sorry that we find insolence, instead of a high degree of excellence displayed in the satire.
Yet, we are ready to accept illustrations that express general envy of our well-ordered society. Our own ideals match our aspirations and talents; however, without self-respect and respect of others, nothing may seem worth doing.
The rivalry for hosting the Olympics likely aroused particularly strong feelings of envy. Still, the Olympics is a festival for people who believe in peace.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.