The FIFA Women’s World Cup final match is underway and Twitter users are reporting on the exciting match using a racial slur as a hashtag.“Jap” is a racial slur that refers to people of Japanese descent, but is unknowingly (and knowingly) being used by Twitter users while covering the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The term “Jap” is being used as an abbreviation of “Japanese”, but is also considered a racial slur among Japanese people. It was during the Second World War when the racial slur came into full force with propaganda posters using the word in reference to the enemy.
Users on Twitter are able to categorize their messages using the “#” symbol. This symbol allows messages on a certain subject to be compiled in Twitter searches, but in this case the tag could have been better chosen.
While Japan and the United States may have a lot at stake during the FIFA World Cup, few Twitter users are using the hashtag to demean Japan’s national women’s football team.
I don't care how far ahead the #usa is, #jap is good enough to come back! I'm nervous #WWCFinal
— Gina Villalobos (@GinaVillalobos) July 5, 2015
#JAP already used two substitutions and it's not yet halftime. Desperate times. #USA up 4-1
— Xoel Càrdenas (@XoelCardenas) July 5, 2015
OMG…this is tough to watch…I wonder if #JAP even bothers coming out for the second half
— Ryan Roberge (@ryanroberge) July 5, 2015
@AOLouisville Its not #JAP day… #Godzilla ??????????????⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️??????? pic.twitter.com/hEqpti4LyU
— Hibby (@HibbyFC) July 5, 2015
Even some international footballers like Ireland’s Stephanie Roche have been using the hashtag to reference Japan’s team.
All set for the World Cup final! Should be a good game between two great teams. Who do you's fancy? #USA #JAP ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Stephanie Roche (@StephanieRoche9) July 5, 2015
Looking at Twitter, it seems like most users are simply the term as an abbreviation; however, there seems to be little understanding of how damaging the word is to people who suffered from the racism and discrimination faced in the wake of the Second World War.
The term “Jap” was often used as a way to shame the Japanese living in countries outside of Japan. It was used regardless of how many generations families had lived in places like Vancouver or San Francisco where the Japanese had immigrated.
Even American and Canadian citizens who were of Japanese descent and who served with the Canadian and American armed forces during the war were referred to with this slur.
The use of the term being used throughout social media coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is a sore point for many who see the tournament as a way to bring nations together rather than reinforcing the racial barriers that still exist between them.
There are accounts that are using the hashtag as a way to demean the team who is currently trailing in the game.
Morning News: #USA destroyed #JAP by an atomic bomb during World War III.
— Mano (@Officialhbkmano) July 5, 2015
But luckily there are people calling these users out.
Pearl Harbor trending, atomic bomb jokes, and comments about "opening their eyes." Not cool, people. Be better than that
— Avi Saini (@AvikarSaini) July 5, 2015
As an alternative, Twitter users can use #JPN or #Japan as hashtags.