A group of Japanese intellectuals issued a statement on Thursday, urging the Japanese government to withdraw its export curbs on South Korea.
Since then, they've been calling on others to join their cause through an online petition.
Our Choi Si-young has this report.
Seventy-seven Japanese intellectuals, including well-known professors, scholars and journalists, have issued a statement demanding that Tokyo retract its export restrictions on Seoul
The statement, issued on Thursday, said the export curbs are "hostile measures," and if South Korea retaliates, the ramifications would be catastrophic.
The statement said it is wrong to treat South Korea as if it were an enemy of Japan because South Korea is an important neighbor for peace and prosperity in East Asia.
The group also went on to say that the curbs won't benefit the Japanese economy, either.
They pointed to how the restrictions violate the free trade principles which Japan has benefited from in the past.
The statement also said friction with neighboring countries isn't preferable when Tokyo is set to hold the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The group said it will think about what further actions it will take... after it finishes gathering the first round of online signatures on August 15th,... which happens to be South Korea's National Liberation Day.
Choi Si-young, Arirang News.