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Japan marks 66th anniversary of World War II surrender

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Kudos to PM Kan for his speech - and in particular to Akihito and Michiko. Some of the rabid far right here could learn some humility and dignity from these. Would I be correct in stating that akihito has never publicly visited yasukuni?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

"We caused great suffering and pain to many countries, especially in Asia, in the war and we must deeply reflect, while paying our respects to the many victims and their families,” "

Spoken as a true stateman and leader. Kan, you have really been given unfair treatment by your party and the rest of the useless political leadership in Japan. I think you did as well as any other leader could have done given the problems with the Japanese system of governance.

Today you did well.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

"We caused..."

No, it wasn't you or even most Japanese alive today. I approve of his message, but it was Japanese of the past, and not even all of them, and today's Japanese are not responsible but a few old men. No need to share in their shame at all, but certainly, their shame should be remembered so as to be sure not to repeat it.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The Japanese who neglect their historic failures and the historic war crimes of their country still cause great suffering among those, who have personally suffered from their ancestors. Kan proved with these words that he is serious about his job and he chose his words very well.

Even if the Japanese populace currently puts the blame for all the mismanagement of the 3/11 disaster on him - he will be remembered as one of the wisest Japanese politicians. Honesty and oblicly admitting guilt on your own side requires courage. He is a blessing to this nation in a time of crisis.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The Japan back then is not the same Japan that it is now, I say this with the outmost benevolence, without any prejudice nor malice. Lets hope that we all learn the reality and outcome of wars; great speech, I applaud you!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Good on you naoto kan. As others have said above it is appalling the way your government and people have treated you.

I think this can officially be called an apology if the translation is correct.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"I think this can officially be called an apology if the translation is correct."

add it to the list

3 ( +3 / -0 )

“Looking back on history, we fervently hope not to repeat the tragedy of war.”

I absolutely hope this is the case. Ironically, there are those on the far right that want the emperor to be in complete power again, but probably foam at the mouth at the emperor's words.

As for Kan, once again he proves to be an actual leader.... it'll make Kentaro mad, but hey.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Most Countries who fought Wars had forget the Struggle that they had in the Past.... They forget Millions of people they killed in the war. But the Japan...the only Country Say sorry for the world every year and keeps the promise not to happen it again ...how nice.....How humble they are....

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

@miyazawa3:

Move Your focus away from Japan to Europe. Take a look at the past sixty years of history between Germany and Poland, Germany and France, Germany and Israel,...

This can teach everyone humility and the meaning of humble apology. Nothing can reveal this better than the pictures from Warsaw in 1970: http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/warschauer-kniefall/

The big difference between Naoto Kan and the previous Japanese prime ministers is that people can believe in his sincerity. It is not just apology - it is sincere apology, heartfelt apology - that Japan's neighbours have been waiting for so long.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Did you know that Iraq is in Asia, and that Japan supported the aggressive war against them back in 2003?

I'm afraid history is repeating, except we won so no-one is gonna punish us!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

@Johannes Weber . I really don't understand what you mean... It is not just apology.... it is sincere apology, heartfelt apology...????? What do you mean ....

Keep promise not to happen it again...means.. Look at Europe, Poland, Germany, France. Israel, what they doing .. The Israel still fighting.. killing everyday neighboring people, like dogs. and what NATO is doing ...?do not they send troop to Afghanistan...to kill people ... That is not War there? that is what I am telling those countries never lent lessons from the world wars , the still keep killing people..

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This speech from Kan seems to come from the heart and I think - hope - will go a long way towards mending international relations. Good on you Kan. What a shame when Japan finally gets a dignified, honest, intelligent leader it tries to oust him.

As someone rightly said above - today no-one expects Japan to share in the shame of their ancestors, but it IS important to acknowledge, remember and not deny.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

That's one of the reasons i do not want to see Kan step down.

Admitting that they done war atrioscities before america dropped the 2 bombs is good for the Japanese people to hear.

Alot of japanese people don`t know or only know one side of history.

I hope Kan somehow changes his mind.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't consider myself to be Right-wing, but I believe that the Emperor should have the respect of his position. And I will take that a little further and lend my support to the Royals having more say in the direction that politicians take in governing the Country. As we have learned from the past, it was not so much Hirohito that caused war but misguided politicians and military officers misinforming the Emperor and usurping his authority. The punishment that he received from the occupying forces certainly should have been enough and not continued with his successor. And, then, I promise not to make any more posts on Japan Today.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@miyazawa3:

It is extremely difficult to believe the apology from someone who pays reverence to criminals of war. The problem of most previous Japanese leaders was that they did not abstain from visits of reverence to Yasukuni Jinja during their period of office. If Japanese people go to Yasukuni Jinja as private people, this is no big deal - but if they do it while in office, it is likely to be considered as downplaying the crimes of war.

The European nations have to peace with one another. There are some unrest in the Balkan countries, but the major countries have forgiven the Germany of the present the crimes of the Germany of the past. This was only possible through the arduous way of apology and constant remembrance on the German side. Not even Israel has a specifically strong hatred for Germany any more...

I do not say that the western countries are not involved in wars. Quite the contrary. Afghanistan has become a war of solidarity with the United States after 9/11 - the majority of civilized countries clearly sided with the US in that case. Iraq is different - three major (western) countries opposed the war and they are not involved. Japan is involved by the way... and the justification of the war on Iraq is quite difficult...

For an apology to be sincere, for a speech to change the world, there are many things necessary. One of these things cannot be planned - it is historic momentum and spontaneousness. One of these events was the famous speech of Martin Luther King. Another event of this kind was Willy Brand kneeling in Warsaw.

Japan's momentous moment has yet to come. It will come and they will be forgiven - I am very sure about that. I had believed before 3/11 that Kan might be the one to bring this moment. Let's wait and see the reactions to his speech.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

miyazawa3: "the only Country Say sorry for the world every year and keeps the promise not to happen it again"

Excuse me? German nations literally prostrate themselves in front of monuments to beg forgiveness for what the people in their nation did long ago. Japan gives some half-as&ed apology then changes the textbooks so that they look like victims instead of instigators. THAT is what continues; the yearly claims that Japan was wronged but did no wrong in the process. Show me a textbook that says "Japan did bad things". I bet you can't. Instead, you'll show me one that says, "Bad things were done, but Japan suffered as a result".

As I said before, I pray that the things that Japan did, or that befelled Japan later as a result, never happen again, but that will only be the case when people realize that what happened happened because of JAPAN, not anything else. This whole idea you can fob off responsibility for what happened on others, be it national or person, is part of the problem, not part of the healing.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Sorry, German nationals, not nations.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Johanes Weber:

For an apology to be sincere, for a speech to change the world, there are many things necessary. One of these things cannot be planned - it is historic momentum and spontaneousness.

Sorry, but a sincere apology does NOT have to be history-making nor does it have to be spontaneous (though a spontaneous apology is always better appreciated than a prepared one). All it needs to be is sincere.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Long live their Majesties! Always an example of dignity and humility. In these troubled times it is good to reflect on how very far the Japanese nation has come since the war. They serve as an beacon to guide us.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Sorry, but a sincere apology does NOT have to be history-making nor does it have to be spontaneous (though a spontaneous apology is always better appreciated than a prepared one). All it needs to be is sincere.

You are right on that. But it is very hard to perceive whether an apology is sincere, if it seems to orchestrated. When being spontaneous as a reaction, people show their true faces. Even though Japanese society teaches to hide Your true face, this doesn't really help people from other cultures, when they try to understand sincerity of the Japanese speakers.

And for a speech, apology or not, to really create change, there is a certain something required that the best planning cannot provide. It's something - well spontaneous - that makes the difference between just a speech and a turning point. This year might be such a turning point.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Most Countries who fought Wars had forget the Struggle that they had in the Past.... They forget Millions of people they killed in the war. But the Japan...the only Country Say sorry for the world every year and keeps the promise not to happen it again ...how nice.....How humble they are....

It's very easy to promise not to do something when you have absolutely no opportunity or power to ever do it again. Your constitution doesn't allow you to go to war. Not to mention the fact the rest of the world would keep Japan in check if it ever did try again.

If Japan was so sincere in it's efforts to make up for it's brutal past, then why aren't they held up in the same way people look at Germany? There it's illegal to display a swastika, perform the goose step or nazi salute, say Heil Hitler, and deny the holocaust. Here it's a national past time amongst some to claim the rape of Nanking never happened, Unit 731 never existed, and to visit a shrine and museum which celebrates the lives of Class A war criminals and rewrites history.

You want the rest of the world to accept and respect Japan's "apologies"? Try acting like you really mean it.

Having said all that I do respect Kan's speech and I do, for what it's worth, do feel it was sincere.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Kan said Japan should use its experience in rebuilding after its World War II defeat as a lesson that it can recover from the March disaster.

Except this time they don't have a certain well known super power to 'help' in their recovery. It might not be so easy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's a good thing the Japanese military mis-leaders finally decided to surrender when they did; otherwise more Japanese cities would have been destroyed and more people on both sides would have been killed/maimed.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

To hear some people talk, you'd think the Yasukuni shrine only contains the remains of "Class A war criminals". It is my understanding that the Yasukuni Shrine provides a permanent residence for the spirits of those who have fought on behalf of the emperor. Wiki says that currently, its Symbolic Registry of Divinities lists the names of over 2,466,000 enshrined men and women whose lives were dedicated to the service of Imperial Japan, particularly to those killed in wartime. If we are to believe some people, that's 2,466,000 "Class A war criminals". OR, we could use common sense and realize that the majority of remains at the shrine were honorable men and women, with the war criminals but a minority.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

You want the rest of the world to accept and respect Japan's "apologies"? Try acting like you really mean it.

By all means, please explain how?

-3 ( +1 / -3 )

smithinjapan, I have done nothing wrong, nobody in my family has done nothing wrong. I do not need to do anything. The Emperor has apologized for the nation as well as numerous PM's and other elected officials. The cry babies need to get a life and move forward.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Thank God the Germans don't don Nazi regalia and build chapels for dead Nazi 'victims'.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@yuriotani, cry babies? Every aug 6/9 we get the usual documentaries about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Play the victim pretty well, don't ya? But Japan should give a final apology, and be done. Time to move on.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hail to the Emperor & Empress!!!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

YuriOtani: You say that "the crybabies need to get a life and move forward." So you mean we shouldn't have to hear the endless tributes to Hiroshima and Nagasaki year after year?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

As an outsider and occasional visitor to Japan, I wouldn't have a huge problem with a visit to Yasukuni. I wouldn't be real happy with the enshrinement of war criminals, but it wouldn't bother me that much.

Having said that, the reason I will never set foot in Yasukuni is that the priests who run the place turned it from a religious shrine into a political shrine. By their own statements, they take sides with the hardline right wingers. Because I disagree with everything the right wing stands for, the most I will ever give to Yasukuni is a sneer as I pass by.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

**It is enough if everyone truly remembers the past and views it as a lesson for what not to do in the future, Amen

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What is the problem for Yasukuni Shrine?

And what is not the problem for Arlington National Cemetery in the United States?

(There are also many veterans who killed many innocent civilians including kids, women, and old people in the Vietnam War & Korean War. Remember the "Agent Blue" in Vietnam?)

Because of the "A" "B" "C" Ranked War Criminals?

Can anyone describe me what the difference between the "A," "B" and "C" ?

Why Nobusuke Kishi (岸信介) who had been arrested by the GHQ in1945 became the Prime Minister of Japan AFTER the WWII? Kishi became the Prime Minister from 1957- 1960.

Why the United States, EU, China & S. Korea, and the United Nations NEVER complained Japan about this during the time?

This is the point I don't understand & cannot accept "quibbling" complain from all gaijins.

あなた達、外国人の主張と言論には首尾一貫性がまったくない!

There are many great men like this one below who is in this Yasukuni Shrine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDiOI-ZyoSk

Not all "evil people" you gaijins just want to state emotionally are not in this Shrine. Understand?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Article states:Kan said: We caused great suffering and pain to many countries, especially in Asia, in the war and we must deeply reflect, while paying our respects to the many victims and their families,”

Which means we 'regret" great sufferings? Where is the sincere apologies to the neighboring countries? Japan has more of the same old issues that continues to repeat. As a group they show the intense racism underlying Japanese society. The real message of the war criminals being enshrined at Yakasuni is that no matter what you do, no matter how much suffering you inflict, if you have Japanese blood in your veins you are ok. On the other hand if you are foreign, no matter how much they have suffered it is not important, you are not Japanese. Considering the suffering inflicted on neighboring Asian countries by Japan is it so hard to call them the 'invasions' that they are rather than 'advances'? If Hiroshima and Nagasaki are crimes then surely Japan's wartime actions are also crimes, why is it so easy for Japanese people to acknowledge A-bomb victims and so hard to acknowledge Asian victims of Japan's wartime aggression? Simple, The A-bomb victims were Japanese and therefore important and the others were foreign and therefore less than human and unimportant. That is the underlying fact that is hard to move beyond that for Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At Monday’s main service, held at the Budokan, a martial arts and concert hall, Kan reiterated Japan’s remorse for the suffering it caused in Asia. “We caused great suffering and pain to many countries, especially in Asia, in the war and we must deeply reflect, while paying our respects to the many victims and their families,” he told the 7,200 people who attended.

Unfortunately that told Kan but not Emperor.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Not real apology.... lies.... don't believe it... Yasukuni is still standing... textbooks... Japan can only apologise by paying 1000000000000000000000000000000000 yen to other countries....."

Did I get the usual response from some people right?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Excuse me? German nations literally prostrate themselves in front of monuments to beg forgiveness for what the people in their nation did long ago

You mean one German did it decades ago. I have never seen a German prostrate themselves anywhere. And let's not forget what Erika Steinbach had to say about Poland last year.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If Hiroshima and Nagasaki are crimes then surely Japan's wartime actions are also crimes, why is it so easy for Japanese people to acknowledge A-bomb victims and so hard to acknowledge Asian victims of Japan's wartime aggression?

It's difficult FOR YOU because you're under the impression that those Japanese who acknowledge A-bombs are the same people who don't acknowledge Asian vicitms of Japan's wartime agression.

It's a false assumption.

For example, people who attend Peace Ceremony in Hiroshima usually don't set foot in Yasukuni or vice versa.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@OrangeW3dgeAug. 15, 2011 - 07:52PM JST

I don't consider myself to be Right-wing, but I believe that the Emperor should have the respect of his position. And I will take that a little further and lend my support to the Royals having more say in the direction that politicians take in governing the Country. As we have learned from the past, it was not so much Hirohito that caused war but misguided politicians and military officers misinforming the Emperor and usurping his authority.

Are you not that education had Hirihito? Also how her relation between 731 unit? When members of 731 unit to Japan they had not only knowledge about humans healf but also new bad moral. After 1945.09.02 some members of 731 unit commit a crimes in Japan. Also now victims of Fukushima must have public humiliating labels that they tested on radiation level otherwise even little girl can not get medical help.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Fadamor

Why Nobusuke Kishi (岸信介) who was stated as the RANKED-A War Criminal and had been arrested by the GHQ in 1945 became the Prime Minister of Japan AFTER the WWII???

Did you know that Kishi became the Prime Minister from 1957- 1960?

Why the United States, EU, China & S. Korea, and the United Nations NEVER complained Japan and Kishi about this issue during the time?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

ChpriCana; There were no rules or laws to stop him being prime minister so why would any countries object.

At that time the EU did not exist,

Please learn history better before spouting extreme rightwing stuff.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

ChopriCana

I don't think Nobusuke Kishi is a good example simply because he was arrested but never indicted. A better example would be Mamoru Shigemitsu, a convicted A-Class criminal, who later on became a foreign minister where he paved way for Japan's entry to the United Nations.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Aa good section of neighboring countries family tree was wiped out in WWII, but I feel no anger and bitterness towards Germany or German people at all because of sincere apolgy and reparation. They admit it and move on and built a better society. However, the Japanese only ignored it and but tried to build a better society. The problem is that this leaves room for it to happen again in the future which might become their goal. There has been a complete lack here to face up to WWII guilt. That A-bomb dome in Hiroshima is all about Japan as the suffering party, without any historical balance or context. Full of Junior high scholl kids walking around being told how poor little Japan had this terrible weapon used on it. You only see one side to the destruction. All countries have bloody pasts, some more than others. Why can't the Japanese admit what they did to Asia? It's one of their most infuriating traits.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

steve@CPFC;

So why do you blame to today's Japanese people for Yasukuni Shrnie? 

単なるそのときの気分のご都合主義で言っているだけか、コラ?

That is so funny. You just exposed your low education level (maybe you didn't graduate high school) since you cannot clearly describe the international-responsibility the United Nations should promise to maintain the World's Peace & Safety.

Yes, there's not EU at the time; I meant to note "EU" as the simple way to express each major European Nations (GB, France... etc), you don't get that?

And there is a rule to approve or not-to approve the war criminals in the WWII for the minister. You didn't know that?

Did you just "guess" to note & respond your statement above?

学歴と民度の低い外人と議論しても無駄だな!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Chopricana; Here are a few more lessons. I have not blamed anyone or any people for Yakusuni Shrine. i think you may be suffering from some form of paranoia.

In my country you do not graduate from High School. There was no EU, there was not a Union of European countries, half of Europe was controlled by the Soviets, don't you get that?

I don't guess anything i always deal with facts.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Respect the Dead , (whether they good or bad in their life not a part of it ) is part of Japanese culture, That is very different than Your usual Christian annual Memorials for Dead ,in front of graves, You Guys... never memorialize the killed Criminals...in your country's..Isn't it ? you pray only for the Saints ...right ? The people who did good in life. You guys have no ideas of long historical cultures,those which are rich with Religions and strong beliefs.. in Asian countries....Your foreign dominant in Asia ... still could not overcome this ... and can not understand this. you are empty.

Japanese people they know what they have admitted/ done very well than any body about it . They are not hiding the facts....That as what you know. They want to forget that shameful doings... erase that from their History's. so they dissolve the Great Army's , not to fight against to the Humanity in the name of Wars again....

The most Foreigners in this forum are very proved of their acts in the Wars even they were Hurt. and that they keep Continuing ... War on other nations, look you still fighting in Asia...for what ..? Your Territorial problems ...? to keep your extreme dominant. right? you just finished in Vietnam.. and started it in Iraq... then Afghanistan... Israel on Palestine.. Japanese finished the wars ..long time ago. already washed hands... forget that past. they are on erased that past.. They are Clean. sincerely apologizing. How nice this..how beautiful is this.. is this not the way...? But asking to be sincere. heart felt apology...This is a JOKE...A big joke... You have no rights to talk about it ... your governments still with the blood..stain .... Killing Humans every minute , every hour , everyday How much you Hurting others in the names of Wars you carry. You can not Evade from this. it is a sham and it is a Curse..

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

nigelboyAug. 16, 2011 - 03:41AM JST. For example, people who attend Peace Ceremony in Hiroshima usually don't set foot in Yasukuni or vice versa.

You need to get your facts right. Few years ago, Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City. He also attended Yasukuni shrine.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

miyazawa3Aug. 16, 2011 - 04:54AM JST Japanese finished the wars ..long time ago. already washed hands... forget that past. they are on erased that past.. They are Clean. sincerely apologizing. How nice this..how beautiful is this.. is this not the way...? But asking to be sincere. heart felt apology...This is a JOKE...A big joke... You have no rights to talk about it ...

A joke? Really? Where is the apology by the Japanese goverment? Only in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, did the Diet house of the Japanese parliament pass a resolution expressing "deep remorse"over Japan's World War II actions, noting simultaneously that such actions took place in the context of worldwide "colonial rules and acts of aggression." Soon after, Japanese PM Murayama made a "personal" statement expressing his remorse, in which he called Japanese actions a "mistake" which would not be repeated. Otherwise, the official Japanese position is that war-crimes issues were settled at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal--after which seven Japanese high-ranking officers were hanged, and at subsequent war-crimes trials in China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

YuriOtani: "nobody in my family has done nothing wrong"

So everyone in your family has done everything wrong? :)

I'll forgive the double negative. That aside, and has others have rightly pointed out, voicing objection to Yasukuni visits does not make you a cry-baby; on the contrary, visiting Yasukuni as a politician makes you a fool. If these so-called men are visiting to respect the fallen, let them do so as individuals, not on the dime of the tax-payers while the sign with their office titles.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At a minimum, what the Asian community wants from the Japanese is a full and sincere apology to all of its victims from World War II. Reparations for victims. A guarantee that the next generation of Japanese schoolchildren will be taught the full extent of wartime atrocities committed by the Japanese. That's a good start. Right now, in Germany, it's against the law not to teach the Holocaust in public schools. Contrast this with Japan, which for decades has systematically covered [Japanese war crimes] up. They whitewashed it from their textbooks. ... During the rape of Nanking--just that incident alone--the number of deaths that resulted surpasses the death toll, the immediate death toll, of the victims of Nagasaki and Hiroshima combined. That's just one incident. And the rape of Nanking was not a unique and isolated incident. There were so many similar atrocities that occurred all throughout China. So few people even know about them.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm sorry, but I not understand that logics. Hirihito had make decisions, but Kan told "we must deeply reflect"? Why Emperor not told about рук "apology " and very big errors of her father Hirihito? Word from Kan can not change "apology " from Emperor!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Japanese still see themselves as the victims? It has been 66 years at some point they need to admit to the crimes they did, apologize and move on.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You need to get your facts right. Few years ago, Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City. He also attended Yasukuni shrine.

That's why I qualified my statement with "usually" with a Prime Minister being one of the exception since he/she is basically required to attend the Peace Ceremony.

There are PLENTY of Japanese who are against politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine for the actual attendance of these politicians is a clear example.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

nigelboyAug. 16, 2011 - 05:53AM JST. There are PLENTY of Japanese who are against politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine for the actual attendance of these politicians is a clear example.

Plenty? Where? Then why aren't these people protesting? More than 50 members of Japan’s conservative opposition party, the LDP, including leader Tanigaki and former PM Abe, visited Yasukuni Shrine Monday.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

sfjp330 WOW! You keep harping on the same sad point.

More than 50 members of Japan’s conservative opposition party, the LDP, including leader Tanigaki and former PM Abe, visited Yasukuni Shrine Monday. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah............

How many people are there in the upper house and the lower house? FIFTY? NOPE! The House of Representatives holds 480 The House of COuncillors holds 242 The country as a whole has a population of 127,960,000

Yes, in this country there is a sense of denial. There is the white washing of history books, etc. Blah, blah, blah, but don't forget this. So are the history books of our very own western countries. Come on, now. So many European countries occupied South America, Africa and Asia. What? They went in their peacefully and the natives threw flowers at their feet and feet and said "Mi casa es su casa"? LOL Not even close. We went in gun a blazzin. Raped, killed, pillaged and did what ever we wanted and you know it. THIS IS MINE! That is what we said. Nanking happened all over parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, and it did not go reported by European magazines and Newspapers. But when it was an Asian group of people who followed in our actions and threatened our prosperity in one region we demonized it. The Japanese did what everyone else did. And the victims are all owed apologies. From India to to Uganda. The only reason that the Japanese fall under the hammer is that theirs was photographed and demonized by a group of people who lost parts of Asia that they wanted to keep under their feet.

We have a Vietnam war Memorial in the States. I feel for those fallen soldiers. They did some good things and some very bad things. Victims of war mentality themselves. I believe there were 58,000 Americans killed and more than two million Vietnamese killed as well. We have a memorial to the fallen soldiers but what we really lack is a memorial to those Vietnamese who were killed. Not to slight anyone who was in the war, but men do bad things in bad times. That is just the way it is. I wish though that we had a memorial for those dead Vietnamese though. It seems to me that if you go to a country and 2,000,000 of it's population die because of your involvement that they also should have a memorial and we should learn about why they died from the victim's side as well.

Anyway, the only country on this planet that has ever taken a serious look at its past and tried to atone for its actions is Germany. I wholeheartedly salute and respect them for taking an honest and sincere approach in trying to make their youth understand that the past is simply that, and that just because you are German does not mean that your own forefathers didn't commit heinous acts and that you should learn from it. History without passion. Just honesty.

Americans students should go to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and or Vietnam and see what REALLY happened. Japanese should go to South Korea and China and see what REALLY happened. And so on.......

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Hail to the Emperor and the Empress!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Nonsense people who blames the Japanese people to go to the Yasukuni Shrine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBQ_ra2ktM8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMeYgB6jsHI

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

By all means, please explain how?

Read the post again.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

sfjp330, not going to the shrine is not news.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

His speech was followed by a moment of silence for the approximate 2.3 million Japanese military personnel and 800,000 civilians killed in the war.

I really stumbled over this section... how can one have 'a moment of silence' solely for the Japanese victims without including all the other non-Japanese victims of this Japanese inflicted war? I hope this is just incomplete reporting and not what really happened.

I have done nothing wrong, nobody in my family has done nothing wrong. I do not need to do anything. The Emperor has apologized for the nation as well as numerous PM's and other elected officials. The cry babies need to get a life and move forward.

YuriOtani, you might be rather a typical japanese in that you think other people should take responsibility for the bad things that your nation inflicted. Note that you write 'the nation' and not 'my nation'.

I'm quite sure that you are the first to boast about the Japanese winning the women's soccer world cup, even you didn't score a goal in the game. In this case I suppose it would be 'my nation', hey?

Luckily I know many Japanese who think and feel different about their responsibility as Japanese, otherwise I couldn't live in this country.

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and to add to the responsibility debate...

Willy Brandt, the german chancellor who silently kneeled down in front of the monument for the victims of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, was part of the resistance movement against Nazi Germany.

He fought against Nazi-Germany, and as such had no personal responsibility for what the Nazis did, still when he became chancellor he felt responsible for the horrors that Germany inflicted.

YuriOtani, how would you feel and act if you'd become the Japanese prime minister?

Brandts very clear and convincing gesture paved the way for a Germany that neighbors deeply respect, despite the horrors that this nation inflicted on them.

Couldn't Japan get to similar point?

I'm very sure that at least South Korea is ready to bury all bad memories of the past if it felt the Japanese expressions of remorse and empathy were more trustworthy and sound.

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bam_boo That was harsh, but VERY true. YuriOtani, your attitude is wrong, wrong, wrong. I wouldn't call them CRY BABIES! That is extremely insensitive. Yes, they should try to get off the subject and move on, but I don't think enough Japanese have encouraged this through acts of contrition nor remorse.

It irritates me when I hear such things. As, I have said before. I don't think Westerners should be pointing the finger at Japanese people. But your attitude is part of the problem. It is true, YOU didn't do anything. And that is true in many aspects. Your history books whitewash history. And YOU didn't do anything. Your leaders infuriate the victims of Japanese war crimes. And YOU didn't do anything. Now, it is simply convenient for you to feel that way and makes people more angry. It is easy for one whose forefathers have trampled on others and walk down the street and say, "Hey, that wasn't me". It is easy and unfairly convenient.

I think I have often supported Japanese when it comes to foreigners, especially westerners, pointing the finger at Japanese. But this,

I have done nothing wrong, nobody in my family has done nothing wrong. I do not need to do anything.

That is exactly where the problem lies and one of the big reasons the issue is still around today. If people HAD done more than has already been done, like Germany, than there would be a lot less complaining. So, yes, YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING.

Hey, my grandfather was in the KKK. I wasn't. I didn't do anything wrong and harbor no ill will towards any race of people, except for people who do nothing and make excuses for the past. But I do feel a sense of responsibility to act and make sure that people know what my forefathers did. It is MY responsibility to make sure those things never occur again. Just because I didn't do it myself doesn't mean SQUAT! Because my forefathers did it, I have a responsibility to make sure that our children learn as much as they can. Throw away their foolish pride and not let them conveniently ignore the past by saying, Hey, I didn't do it! That kind of logic is what allows people to repeat the past and encourages anger from the victim's.

There seem to be three types of people: One: Ignores the past because they didn't do it. Two: Looks at the past and makes excuses. Three: Accepts what the past is and encourages the past not to repeat itself.

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YuriOtani Sorry to say again but that attitude really burns my gears. That is exactly what the problem is. Man, I hate that. It is just too convenient, selfish and irresponsible.

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Willy Brandt showed GREAT character. That is what is missing in this whole mess.

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YuriOtani, being from the land of the aggressor gives you zero rights to call them cry babies, even if your family IS originally from Okinawa. Okinawa is considered part of Japan. Is and Was. Sadly, it gives you no wiggle room to say that.

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`YuriOtani It is very unfair for you to say you didn't anything wrong, but you take advantage of the work that your forefathers did that helped build the country into what it is today. Hey, you didn't build Japan into the country that it is today, but you reap the benefits, don't you? When the Japanese team scores a goal or like bam_bom said wins the world cup, you didn't do it, but you take pride in it. You didn't score the goals!!!! Right? You can take pride in what your country does, even if it is something in the past but not responsibility for what it did wrong in the past? That is convenient and unfair. Your right YOU DIDN' DO ANYTHING. No offense meant.

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No offense, meant, but that is COWARDLY!

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