Emperor honors Japanese war dead in Philippines

It's a shame he didn't offer an apology for Japan's aggression, insisting that Japan never forget the loss of life 'that resulted from battles between the US and Japan', as though none had happened through the barbarity and savagery of the IJA before then. I generally agree with the man, and still think he does a pretty good job of owning up to the past and presenting the truth when politicians in Japan are eager to bury and deny it, but I would have been happy to see him do a little more. Japan should of course never forget that lives were lost, but they should also never forget that if they had not been there none would have been, nor that they were responsible for a good many of those taken.

I kinda agree with you Smith. He always dances gingerly around the topic, but won't straight out apologize. After all, how could the "divine" emperor make a mistake?

sensei258: Actually, I usually find that he is refreshingly honest -- or as much as can be when censored so heavily by the Imperial Household Agency. He even sometimes says stuff they don't approve of and 'gets in trouble' with the right wing crowd. That's why I was a little surprised and am disappointed he did not go as far out this time. it's not that "the divine emperor cannot make a mistake", he has admitted to mistakes in the past, it's that this time he seems to be toeing the IHA line and that of the wingers.

Yet just couldn't muster any sympathy for all the Filipinos slaughtered by Japan under his pappy's command.

“We want to tell the emperor that our case is not being heard by the Japanese government,” she said. “We want him to hear us, so that they will admit to the atrocities they did to us, and take responsibility for it.”

He can't hear you though, the Kimigayo is blaring in his head and his eyes are blinded by the Hinomaru.

like when he admitted that there is Korean blood in the Imperial line

Not just him, but all Japanese

It been discovered that modern Japanese ethnicity was formed from the repeated mixing of blood between the Jomon, who were original inhabitants of the islands, and the Yayoi, who crossed over from the Korean peninsula.

Smith, Sensei:

How much can he really say? Not disagree, merely thinking aloud, but it is my understanding that the Imperial family is barred making political statements. Could there be a connection?

takeda_shingen: "How much can he really say? Not disagree, merely thinking aloud, but it is my understanding that the Imperial family is barred making political statements. Could there be a connection?"

He's been barred from making political statements all his life, but it hasn't stopped him on numerous occasions from doing so, such as when he said to the media how he is against Abe's push to reinterpret the Constitution. What are they going to do to him if he speaks his mind? or maybe his mind is just not there.

the Imperial family is barred making political statements.

I wonder what happens if he does make a statement, will he be arrested? fined?

I was thinking the same thing - he may be barred, but what are they going to do if he goes against the rules? Pretty hard to lock up the emperor.

He's been barred from making political statements all his life, but it hasn't stopped him on numerous occasions from doing so, such as when he said to the media how he is against Abe's push to reinterpret the Constitution. What are they going to do to him if he speaks his mind? or maybe his mind is just not there

Touche. I do not recall him making such a statement. Personally, I am happy enough that skips the Yasukuni shrine visits and doesn't cowtow to the far right.

But, it would be interesting what would happen. I can only imagine all the Uyoku heads exploding.

I have to admit I'm a bit of a fan of the current Emperor and Empress but i have to wonder where is the ongoing investigation and prosecution of Japanese war criminals that we hear about with war criminals in Europe? Just saying... Maybe they go them all!

Strangerland: "I was thinking the same thing - he may be barred, but what are they going to do if he goes against the rules? Pretty hard to lock up the emperor."

Exactly what I was saying in my last post. The MOST they could do is cut them off (ie. funding) since they receive their lodging and money from the government, but that would certainly never happen. The IHA is like a school administrator of the most popular kid in the world; they can tell them what to do and even threaten them, but there is no way they can do anything if the kid challenges their authority.

takeda_shingen: "But, it would be interesting what would happen. I can only imagine all the Uyoku heads exploding."

They do. You should have seen them the MINUTE after the Emperor's speech to South Koreans saying that the Imperial Line has South Korean blood directly in its veins; they went BALLISTIC -- driving around and screaming more than normal! Must have been terribly painful to be doing so and decrying what the Emperor said and all the while doing so in trucks with his name, glory, and haikus dedicated to him and his ancestors painted all over said trucks. I think most, though, just pretend it was never said and freak out if you show it to them in print or give links to it (some posters on here refuse to believe it was said, for example).

Emperor Akihito paid his respects in a war memorial in the Philippines Friday to the largest number of Japanese invasion troops who died outside their homeland

Sorry my dad's greed and ambition killed you

I kinda agree with you Smith. He always dances gingerly around the topic, but won't straight out apologize.

Agreed. He and his father both owe their throne to postwar US magnanimity. Other allied countries - notably Australia - wanted to try the emperor. But MacArthur let him off scot-free. It can be argued that this decision led to Japan's inability to face its past. Having said that, Akihito does do a good job of exuding peace, but an apology certainly wouldn't hurt

Why is the focus on these things always about how much Japan suffered?

I know the Emperor is on a short rope so to speak, but wud be nice if he went a BIT further with some of his speeches.

I don't watch TV but the visit was just on nhk soo I listened & today he is visiting sites for Japanese war dead, nhk mentions 500,000 Japanese dead they NEVER mention the other people who died, in much greater numbers no less & still coverage is DEVOID of context...........

Even when interviewing families whose loved ones died in the Philippines you get almost no sense that they comprehend why they were there, what they did... its all so sad so & so died, they didn't have supplies, food or ammunition..........they is NEVER any sense that Japan was in the wrong in all the WWII madness......

Its still 90% focused on "poor" Japan, MOST Japanese still don't GET IT!!

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-emperor-visits-philippines-wwii-36520045 Different angle here. Mentions recognition of other war dead but of course it wasn't reported on NHK

I wonder why he does not do it Malaysia? The Philippines is a staunch ally of America. Get out of your right wing maze and do it where it can make some noise like Malaysia.....scared huh? The US has got the Philippines back completely these days. Shuold be apologizing for the abuse of the Philippines comfort women. he must be going senile.

I think it's great that the Japanese Emperor and Empress were able to make the trip. It's wonderful seeing three former foes, Japan, the Philippines (and implicitly, the United States) respectfully set aside the painful past for all involved (including, of course, Australia and any other Allied Powers whose soldiers lives were lost in the PI campaigns) and work towards maintaining peace and strengthening ties in the region.

The Japanese Emperor is no ordinary head of state. These public steps he and his wife have been making are very significant. And as Christopher Glen's article link points out (but the Associated Press' article here fails to do), the comments of the Emperor are quite progressive, right down to the small fact that he lists Japan last in the following comment: "Many Filipinos, Americans and Japanese lost their lives in the Philippines during the war. Especially in the battle in Manila, a tremendously large number of innocent Filipino civilians were victims. Upon making this visit, we need to bear this in mind at all times."

My personal hope: may the Crown Prince and Princess, in turn, someday build upon the positive and peace-loving legacy of the Tennou Heika.

"I wonder why he does not do it Malaysia? "

Good question because:

In Malaysia the ... Japanese losses were significant because of sporadic Australian air attacks Japanese casualties suffered around 9,600

refs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasion_of_Malaya

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

The Emperor and Empress seem to be very sincere and thoughtful. A classy couple.

I like to think the reason he doesn't directly apologize is that he believes that apologies on behalf of others are meaningless and insincere. Expressions of sorrow and regret are the most he can offer. If we consider what has happened since Murayama's apology, it might be better if others took the same attitude.

@ Smith and Glen.. Spot on !! It'd have been nice to hear him say it more concretely. Time tempers even the most extreme. Maybe, as usual with most mortals in their sunset years, the imperials too have come to the realization that it was all vanity. If I may borrow their own Yukichi Fukuzawa's words " The heavens made no man above another".

Philippines is just one of the few countries that would have a memorial of a force that ravaged them. Unfortunately, this is also probably the only reason why the monarchs can highlight the "suffering of Japanese forces" there (Compared to Japan apologizing for the suffering of US troops in Pearl Harbor when Japanese officials visited). Don't get me wrong, I still feel like the royal family are being hindered to express their remorse. However, this comment is more directed to the Philippine government, and how they've always been towards America, American allies, and American policies. Colonial mentality.