Zinke defends use of Japanese word: How could saying good morning ‘be bad’?

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is defending himself after he used a Japanese word in response to a lawmaker’s question about funding for historical sites memorializing internment camps.

“How could ever saying ‘good morning’ be bad?” Zinke asked reporters following a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border on Saturday, according to The Arizona Republic.

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) corrected Zinke last week after he spoke Japanese to her following her question about grant funding for institutions that provide education on Japanese internment camps during World War II.

{mosads}Hanabusa, who is of Japanese descent, was questioning Zinke during a House budget hearing about planned cuts to grant programs that fund institutions that focus on the history of Japanese-Americans, particularly during World War II.

She said the funding is a critical way to learn about what Japanese-Americans went through during the war.

“I believe it is essential that we as a nation recognize our darkest moments so we don’t have them repeat again,” she said, asking Zinke if he’s committed to continuing the $2 million in grant programs.

“Oh, konnichiwa,” Zinke said in response. 

“I think it’s still ‘ohayo gozaimasu’ [good morning], but that’s OK,” Hanabusa said, following a brief silence. 

Zinke faced criticism for the comments.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) tweeted in response: “Nope. Racism is not ok.”

The exchange also drew the ire of Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who slammed Zinke for acting “flippant” and “juvenile” in his response to Hanabusa’s question.