> Other than encouraging Japanese users to use Zig instead of Zen, that is.
They're not encouraging users to use zig instead of zen because zen is a private fork, they're discouraging users from using zen because it is zen.
> The fact that most of the message was pointing out how poor the character of the Zen authors is doesn't feel good to me
Most of the statement has to do with Zen's dubious relationship with the truth (with the lack of significant value despite lofty claims being but one of the examples thereof).
The statement also doesn't point out the poor character of Zen's creator but their poor behaviour. You can infer poor character from poor behaviour but that is not what is pointed out in the statement.
> It's an appeal to our sense of fairness, "Look at these big bad guys who are profiting off our work".
You may want to re-read the statement if that's what you got from it.
