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© KYODOEmperor, empress visit Okinawa to commemorate war victims
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smithinjapan
Good on them. When these guys do it, you know they mean it, and you know they are praying for the souls and that it not be repeated again. Unlike when self-declared "hawks", like Abe do it, they are praying to war criminals as heroes, and using it as propaganda.
Goodlucktoyou
3 days is too short. They should take it easy and spend more time.
Yubaru
Fortunately the attitudes of the people of Okinawa have warmed to this Emperor. When he first visited here after WWII, when he was the Crown Prince, people here against the Emperor threw moltov cocktails at him and his wife when they visited the Himeyuri Grave site.
Fortunately no one was injured, and fortunately for the people of Okinawa he came back and more than once too!
This is also another sign to those who talk about Okinawa seceding from Japan that their ideas are foolish. The Okinawan people love this Emperor and feel quite a bit of affection for him and his wife, he is a symbol to them as well!
Toasted Heretic
It would be really symbolic if he chained himself to the fence of one of the US bases, for an hour or two.
No angry rhetoric but a silent protest. It would send a peaceful but powerful message to the occupying forces.
Then, go home and relax. You've done your job (can be applied to either the Emperor or US military)...
BertieWooster
I wonder which war dead they are paying tribute to?
The US military, who wanted to stop this terrible war?
The Japanese Imperial forces who forced Okinawans to commit suicide so that they wouldn't become US spies?
Or the Okinawans who suffered the most in numbers of casualties, killed by both Americans and Yamatonchu (mainland Japanese)?
plasticmonkey
@Bertie--Great question. Probably all, in an unresolved jumble. I think a lot of elderly Japanese who know the score continue to battle the confusion of the past, who to pity and who to blame.
Christopher Glen
A class act, the emperor and empress. I had the privilege of seeing them at the imperial palace once, from 30-40 metres away.
The prime minister and co could learn something from their transparent dignity.
CaptDingleheimer
For the life of me, I can't understand why the Emperor and Empress wear Western attire when they're out and about. If anyone should be wearing Japanese clothing, shouldn't it be them?
extanker
Because it's 2018? I believe that Japanese people have been wearing suits for quite some time now.