Japan marks 79th anniversary of end of World War II

@Mr Kipling 

“The article didn't mention this important point.... Japan lost the war.“

The article says clearly in the very first sentence:

“Japan marked on Thursday the 79th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, “

You surrender when you lose a war.

The article didn't mention this important point.... Japan lost the war.

Yes, it is necessary because nobody knows this.

Nothing wrong with loosing a fight or a war, the key is to learn from history and make sure it doesn't happen again.

Japan thrived and served it people well after loosing the war, it is a democracy, a super economic power, and learned from the past, unlike others who never seem to learn and just keeps on dragging their people into Needless, Useless, and Meaningless wars without naming few that are fighting as we read this article.

No point in fighting with guns when you can win with cash$.

japan has a ceremony to honor the war dead, the end of the war and is criticized.

the west commemorates with sales of mattresses and tv’s.

Lose with dignity,for goodness sake.

I am tired of seeing this constant victim hood and nationalist ignorance of reality for the last thirty years or more.

Come on, let's face the future,folks

Should the US stop celebrating Veterans Day? Should they forget about the Vietnam War? Your complaining is ridiculous.

it should be noted that jsdf’s have not killed anyone in 79 years.

japan also provided trillions of yen in foreign aid to china.

May PEACE Prevail On Earth, we need it more than ever NOW.

When Emperors Showa (Hirohito) and Heisei (Akihito) made their appearances at this function, it involved individuals who had direct personal involvement (less so in the case of the latter, who was only a teen) in the war itself. Now, somehow it seems they are just going through the motions and mouthing platitudes. It doesn't foster reflection or nationalism any more, it's just an event on NHK like high school baseball or the sumo tournament. My suggestion: do it for one more year, to mark the 80th anniversary of the war's end, and then replace it with a web site.

It is duly noted that the Axis power of Russia still remains as the only nation to not recognize the end of WWII and still refuses to sign any treaties to that effect.

Now, Japan these days is a great place. The people, the food, the ceremonies, and the deep culture are what draws me to it.

That said, yes, Japan did incredibly horrible things in the war. People know all about it. Bataan Death March, Manila massacre, Parit Sulong Massacre, Sandakan Death Marches, Shinyo Maru Incident, Changjiao massacre, Jesselton revolt, Sook Ching,, Burma Railway construction, Comfort women, Bangka Island massacre, Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign, Nanjing Massacre (AKA known as The Rape of Nanking). There was also Biological warfare experiments, Forced labor, Human cannibalism, Torture of POWs. The Japan government seems to think apologizing would make them lose face. Actually, it would be the opposite. People would be impressed at this late date that they did.

THAT being said, their honoring their war dead is what every country does. It is an honorable thing.

After all, the US dropped the bomb, fire bombed Tokyo, bombed Dresden into nonexistence (unnecessariliabley), so it seems all countries are guilty of atrocities. (Like Germany.) Women, children, the aged all were killed in these actions. Not as bad as Japan, but not very good. All of these countries honor their dead. Japan honoring theirs is a natural and universal.

Bash them all you want, but they are doing what is a good thing. All that's missing is that formal apology.

JJEToday 04:40 pm JST

Important to observe Empire of Japan experienced considerable territorial loss because of its choice to align with the Axis.

Postwar constitutional Japan, which never had sovereignty over these lands, needs to come to terms with that, amongst many other things, and learn to accept it.

Important to observe that only the Russian believes in stealing land for peace and there is no basis for eliminating all agreements with a country based on a change of government (of which Russia has had many).

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that Japan was defeated, so there's no point in kicking the dead horse.

Took a generation to forget the horrors of war and we are knocking on the doors again. Lest we forget.

Did Defense Minister Kihara find time in his busy schedule to attend this memorial ceremony?

JJEAug. 15 08:51 pm JST

Important to observe wars have consequences - particularly for territory administrated. Axis belligerents lost territory to multiple countries.

Not territory that had not previously been owned by those countries and not in significant amounts. Only the Russian believes in stealing land for peace.

Tokyo needs to wake up, smell the coffee, accept this happened and move on. Playing the victim doesn't cut the mustard.

Same goes for Russia and their yearly victim parade which actually a fascist show of force.

JJEToday 03:11 am JST

Potsdam conference happened: fact.

Not Home Islands (seized in the late 19th century) and agreed at Yalta, which also happened: fact.

Empire of Japan, which doesn't exist anymore, didn't have the right to be present at either meeting.

The Russian doesn't get the right to make that determination of what is a home island or what is a country for its own benefit. Perhaps the Russian needs some unequal treaties applied to it again.

No it doesn't.

All that's missing is that formal apology.

except for this long, long, long list of them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

Even prewar Japanese cabinet had analysed "Japan surely lose the war with US", but the then Japanese military HQ ignored it and begun the war.

And now, words or expression that easily beautify victim or casualties of such recklessness or patriotic optimism spread at recent Japanese society.

Japanese war casualties during WW2 were deaths from illness and starvation more than killed in battle.

That is, largest threats for Japanese is Japan's government than other country, not only the then.

Life is precious. Peace is a vital resource for life to reach to its full blossom. Long live life.

Horrible event, atrocities suffered by Japanese due to their Imperialistic maniac leaders. This mentality still survives in some Japanese ( men) today.

Horrible event, the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What could have been more horrible? If Japan had developed the bomb before Americans did.

CoPilot AI says: Japan has undertaken various reconciliation efforts over the years to address its wartime past and foster better relations with neighboring countries and the international community. Here are some key aspects:

Official Apologies and Statements

Japanese leaders have issued several apologies and statements acknowledging the country’s wartime actions. Notable examples include:

Murayama Statement (1995): Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama expressed deep remorse and heartfelt apology for Japan’s wartime actions1.

Koizumi Statement (2005): Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reiterated the sentiments of the Murayama Statement on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II1.

Educational Initiatives

Japan has implemented educational programs to ensure that future generations understand the atrocities committed during the war. These programs aim to promote peace and prevent the repetition of past mistakes2.

Grassroots Efforts

There have been ongoing grassroots efforts at reconciliation between Japan and the victims of its wartime actions. These efforts often involve cultural exchanges, joint historical research, and dialogue aimed at fostering mutual understanding and healing3.

International Relations

Japan has made significant strides in building strong diplomatic relations with former adversaries. For example, the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Pearl Harbor in 2016, where he offered condolences and emphasized the importance of reconciliation, was a significant gesture towards the United States2.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite these efforts, Japan still faces challenges in its reconciliation process. Some neighboring countries, particularly South Korea and China, continue to call for more consistent and sincere acknowledgments of past actions. The issue of “comfort women” remains a particularly sensitive topic45.

Reconciliation is a complex and ongoing process, but Japan’s efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing its past and building a peaceful future. (CoPilot AI text)

The article didn't mention this important point.... Japan lost the war.

Reading the comments reminds me how conflict between people is so close to the surface.

Japan gets to decide how it commemorates it's war dead....that's only appropriate.

JJEToday 03:01 am JST

Not territory that had not previously been owned by those countries and not in significant amounts. Only the Russian believes in stealing land for peace.

Totally incorrect if not misleading.

Nope, absolutely correct as I will demonstrate.

Nazi Germany lost East Prussia to Poland and Russia.

All the result of criminal Stalin's activities.

Empire of Japan lost territory to the Americans which it previously owned and Russia too.

Islands given to it by the League of Nations and removed by the UN. The islands stolen by Russia are exactly that.

These were negotiated, arranged and authorized at various conferences.

Not with Japan present in the case of the islands stolen by Russia.

Potsdam conference happened: fact.

Not Home Islands (seized in the late 19th century) and agreed at Yalta, which also happened: fact.

Empire of Japan, which doesn't exist anymore, didn't have the right to be present at either meeting.

Important to observe Empire of Japan experienced considerable territorial loss because of its choice to align with the Axis.

Postwar constitutional Japan, which never had sovereignty over these lands, needs to come to terms with that, amongst many other things, and learn to accept it.

With our inherent stupidity as a species and our tendency to drag up the past again...and again....and again...and again...I'm honestly surprised that we've managed to avoid a third world war.

Japan's TV programs featuring the war also decrease year by year, young generations who don't know WW2 itself increase, and mentioning Japan as perpetrator of the war is now like taboo socially by pressures or online harassments from far-rights.

Society where people or opportunities learning from lessons of history decrease, government who prioritize arms race than anything, defense ministry who deeply related with far-right activists and has even plan that urge warlike public opinion, defense forces ignoring civilian control, such present Japan is pointed out also "new prewar".

VJ Day

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, along with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and 4,023 people related to those killed attended the government-sponsored ceremony to mourn the roughly 3.1 million Japanese military personnel and civilians who died in the war.

I hope they mourned these innocent people too:

The Japanese murdered 30 million civilians while "liberating" what it called the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere from colonial rule. About 23 million of these were ethnic Chinese. It is a crime that in sheer numbers is far greater than the Nazi Holocaust. In Germany, Holocaust denial is a crime. In Japan, it is government policy. But the evidence against the navy – precious little of which you will find in Japan itself – is damning.

Source: Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes

Every year this ceremony serves as a reminder that people in government refuse to learn from history since they are incapable of telling the truth about the wars of their predecessors and they will never give up their power to start wars without the consent of the people. Officials with an inflated sense of self-entitlement regard explanations and apologies as anathema to their enjoyment of privilege and the exercise of power.

Not territory that had not previously been owned by those countries and not in significant amounts. Only the Russian believes in stealing land for peace.

Totally incorrect if not misleading.

Nazi Germany lost East Prussia to Poland and Russia.

Empire of Japan lost territory to the Americans which it previously owned and Russia too.

These were negotiated, arranged and authorized at various conferences.

Yes, it does.

*In his speech, *Kishida did not mention Japan's wartime aggression in Asia, following the precedent set by his immediate predecessors, Yoshihide Suga and Shinzo Abe.

Before Abe, who took the prime minister's post for the second time in 2012, Japanese leaders had consistently mentioned the country's aggression and expressed remorse at the ceremony.

Japanese government no longer mentions the millions of people killed in other countries by Japan in their war of aggression. Zero accountability or remorse.

WasabiToday  04:56 pm JST

The article didn't mention this important point.... Japan lost the war.

Yes, it is necessary because nobody knows this.

Not mentioning the millions of people Japan is responsible for murdering means they don't want to be reminded that they lost especially when they act like victims. They clearly need to be reminded.

Important to observe wars have consequences - particularly for territory administrated. Axis belligerents lost territory to multiple countries.

Tokyo needs to wake up, smell the coffee, accept this happened and move on. Playing the victim doesn't cut the mustard.

Absolutely disgusting of Kishida not to mention the victims of Japanese aggression!

WA4TKGToday  05:45 pm JST

That explains why I saw a black bus kamakazi driving North on Hwy 58 today

The word is kamikaze-kami meaning deity, spirit, god and kaze meaning wind! Often translated as 'divine wind' in English! Named for the storms that prevented the Mongols from invading Japan in 1274 and 1281!

And now, with stupidity of west, we are near to the third..

That explains why I saw a black bus kamakazi driving North on Hwy 58 today

Lose with dignity,for goodness sake.

I am tired of seeing this constant victim hood and nationalist ignorance of reality for the last thirty years or more.

Come on, let's face the future,folks

You lost,due to terrible military decisions.

Suck it up,and admit the mistakes made.

But, present Japanese society facing domestic Covid19 infection 11th wave, unfortunately.

In his speech, Kishida did not mention Japan's wartime aggression in Asia, following the precedent set by his immediate predecessors, Yoshihide Suga and Shinzo Abe.

Before Abe, who took the prime minister's post for the second time in 2012, Japanese leaders had consistently mentioned the country's aggression and expressed remorse at the ceremony.

So basically Japan does not recognize or pay respects anymore to the 30 million deaths they inflicted through countless atrocities in Asia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes

This is so sad...