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Taiwanese activists rally against 'Japanese militarism'

34 Comments

Dozens of angry Taiwanese set fire to a giant model of a Japanese warship in a rally Thursday after Japanese lawmakers and cabinet ministers visited a controversial Tokyo shrine.

The demonstrators vented their anger outside Japan's de facto embassy in Taipei, burning a model of Izumo, a helicopter carrier. Japan's biggest warship since World War II, the Izumo was unveiled early this month.

Chanting slogans such as "Down with Japanese militarism", the group accused Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of trying to expand Japan's military.

In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry urged "the Japanese government and some political figures to learn from the lessons of history and refrain from doing anything that hurt the feelings of people in the neighboring countries".

Taiwan was colonised by Japan for half a century until 1945 when Japan surrendered at the end of World War II.

Taiwan has ruled itself after it split with the Chinese mainland in 1949 at the end of a civil war.

But China still considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting to be reunified -- by force if necessary.

© (C) 2013 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

34 Comments
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And why is this story getting no attention? If this happened in Korea or China there's be 50 comments on it already.

Not many here want to face the fact that Taiwan also harbours ill feelings against Japan. Predictable comments will accuse them of being from mainland China.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@Mitch

Because for Taiwan, it's an independent protest group; and a short standard FM message. Not the government-sponsored anger or crocodile tears of China and Korea.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Because for Taiwan, it's an independent protest group; and a short standard FM message. Not the government-sponsored anger or crocodile tears of China and Korea.

Independent protest groups from China and Korea have always caused a furor whenever it is reported. Because it is a Taiwanese group this time, it is being avoided.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Independent protest groups from China and Korea have always caused a furor whenever it is reported. Because it is a Taiwanese group this time, it is being avoided.

Because this is a vocal minority in Taiwan. I can say with confidence that most Taiwanese would support Japan militarism to counterbalance China. This is in contrast to China and Korea in that most would rather not see Japan militarize to repeat history.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

After the Taiwan people we're freed from one evil they faced another - Communism & I think the majority would welcome the moves being made by Japan & if not ,nobody asked them for "permission"!

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@Freshie,

" I can say with confidence that most Taiwanese would support Japan militarism to counterbalance China. "

are you awake now?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well there is no doubt that the protestors are right. Last weekend I witnessed a group of 50 or so historical revisionists walking through Osaka denouncing the UK,the US and China.Abe's government is definitely on a different course from past Japanese Prime Ministers. However,should push come to shove I cannot imagine the average Taiwanese would give up their hardwon freedoms and turn to Chinese socialism....

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Taiwan is one of the most pro-Japan countries in existence, since Japan mostly only did good things for Taiwan like build irrigation and band foot binding. These guys are not representative of the country as a whole.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Peter Payne is right. Take a look at this:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Japan-Taiwan-deal-strategic-tool-to-protect-Senkak-30204021.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@ Peter Payne,

Did you do the survey and investigation in Taiwan?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why not rally against Chinese militarism? They're your biggest threat.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Dozens" typically means less than 100. I'm surprised this even made the news.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Peter Payne

Taiwan is one of the most pro-Japan countries in existence, since Japan mostly only did good things for Taiwan like build irrigation and band foot binding.

Taiwan wasn't anything special for Japan and if you compare the budget of that time Japan actually spent more in towards the Korean peninsula then Taiwan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If the non-Japanese people here aren't aware: The aircraft carrier Izumo was named after a Japanese destroyer that was built in the turn of the 20th century. The original Izumo was built by using the money that was extorted from Ching China, after the Sino-Japanese war ended with Japan's victory. The money that Japan got from China, was enough to fund Japan's military for four years. With new cash overflowing, Japan started to modernize their navy, building Izumo. Later in 1937, Izumo was instrumental in firebombing Shanghai and Nanjing. It played a crucial role in massacre of thousands of Chinese civilians in what we call the Nanjing Massacre. It was ironic that the ship that played a crucial role at killing thousands of Chinese civilians, was actually funded by China's war reparations to Japan. The ship later was fittingly sunk by American navy fighter planes in one of the battles in the later stages of the Pacific war. The ship had participated in the sneak attack on the Americans in Pearl Harbor.

This only really shows how Japan thinks, by reviving part of the old Japanese military, looking back at their WWII history of killings as something to be proud of.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

"Taiwan activists" belong to China KMT. They are hilarious when China goes militarism, sad when Japan goes militarism. Funny China aims 2,000 missiles at Taiwan, Japan has zero. Japan militarism aims at China, not Taiwan. So activists rally against Japan for China, not for Taiwan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The aircraft carrier Izumo was named after a Japanese destroyer that was built in the turn of the 20th century.

You should learn more about how the Japanese vessels are named and after what. And it wasn't destroyer but armored cruiser. Every Japanese vessel inherit the name of the old ones and it's hard to blame Japan for having it's own naval history and tradition.

The money that Japan got from China, was enough to fund Japan's military for four years

It's not that simple ;) Care to elaborate because it's pretty long story.

Later in 1937, Izumo was instrumental in firebombing Shanghai and Nanjing. It played a crucial role in massacre of thousands of Chinese civilians in what we call the Nanjing Massacre.

Nope, it wasn't ever near Nanking. It arrived in Shanghai after the city was already seiged by Japnese troops. But there's a funny story behind that: Chinese aircraft wanted to attack Izumo but mistakenly attacked HMS Cumberland and USS Augusta as well as civilian buildings. 1800 people civilians were killed in that operation with Izumo destroying one of the aircraft.

It was ironic that the ship that played a crucial role at killing thousands of Chinese civilians, was actually funded by China's war reparations to Japan.

The only Chinese civilians killed because of Izumo were the ones I mentioned earlier.

The ship later was fittingly sunk by American navy fighter planes in one of the battles in the later stages of the Pacific war.

It was sunk by near misses from American bombers in the last days of the war after she's been moored near Etajima...

The ship had participated in the sneak attack on the Americans in Pearl Harbor.

lol, she was in Shanghai at the time ;)

This only really shows how Japan thinks, by reviving part of the old Japanese military, looking back at their WWII history of killings as something to be proud of.

Putting your nonsense entries, indeed, it can't be said about Korean and Chinese navy for sure as there isn't much of the history behind them.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Putting your nonsense entries, indeed, it can't be said about Korean and Chinese navy for sure as there isn't much of the history behind them.

So proud of Japan's militarism. I rest my case.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Article 9 should be a reminder to Japan's neighbours that the ship exists for defense purposes only.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So proud of Japan's militarism. I rest my case.

You're upset that I dismissed your arguments? What I wrote are facts, not militarism.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Peter Payne,

What in the world are you talking about? Taiwan was crucial to Japan as a supply line and a naval blockade from the Chinese on retreating to the island. It had tremendous strategic value to Japan.

And whether Japan spent money to build schools, railroads or whatevers are to benefit Japan, not Taiwan. And Japan used Taiwanese tax paying money, labor and lives on these projects. Much like the Brits on "improving" India. I guess Gandhi was really full of himself if he agreed with your ridiculous sentiment.

Most Taiwanese, blue of green absolutely hate the fact that Japan "stole" those disputed islands from Taiwan, ROC. ITs across the political line. The only person agreed with Japan is the former president Lee who were rumored to be half Japanese himself. Him and his political faction are the only true pro-Japan group in Taiwan. Go check your facts.

Seriously, the internet just brings out all kinds of people.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Peter PayneAug. 16, 2013 - 02:45PM JST Taiwan is one of the most pro-Japan countries in existence, since Japan mostly only did good things for Taiwan like build irrigation and band foot binding. These guys are not representative of the country as a whole.

Taiwan and Japan are feeling the pressure of a rising China and have every incentive to deepen their relations. Both countries are affected by shifting power balances in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan has increased its economic interdependence with China to secure economic prosperity and reduce tensions. Instead of direct military-defense cooperation, Taiwan and Japan might explore collaboration on nontraditional security. Joint cooperation would strengthen bilateral relations and lay the foundation for a deeper and expanded partnership.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japan mostly only did good things for Taiwan like build irrigation and band foot binding.

Its true. Japan's colonization of Taiwan was for the benefit of Taiwan.

Keep 'em comin' sfjp. You do more to discredit yourself more than I or anyone could ever do.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

So... by the logic displayed by this thread... Japan (who only ever cared about the well being of Taiwan) should return the disputed islands to Taiwan.

Izumo could be used to ferry their new/old owners across.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@ Peter Payne,

Did you do the survey and investigation in Taiwan?

There are countless polls that you can research yourself that show the majority of Taiwanese view Japan favorably. Compare this to the Koreas and China...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"- -the majority of Taiwanese view Japan favorably."

That's native Taiwanese. Nearly 100% of Chinese in Taiwan (immigrants, the ruler) hate Japanese. A fact modern Japanese need to face.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is China's desperate attempt to isolate Japan. Do you hear me China?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

the Taiwanese should make peace with the past. Japan has every right to rebuild it's military. I support this. Japan has moved forward and so should all of it's neighbors. Time for all of their whining to stop. How can you drive forward constantly looking in the rear view mirror?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Taiwanese only want to maintain peace with all neighbors and don't want to get involved in any war, however it seems JP right wingers politician are trying to drag the US and China to fight each other so JP could possibily get rid of military control of the US. I believe most of kind japan people also don't want to get unwillingly involved to this kind of chaos.... I agree one point is that KMT and president Ma is very weak, they're not capable to improve taiwan economic... etc. but anyway they get 54% election vote so they're ruling party and this is so called democratic, any foreigner try to separate taiwan in not moral and very low~

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One has the right to go militarism when a guy comes to your house and says that part of your land is his and begins to threaten you with his German shepherds. He has to go militarism because he thinks the land belongs to himself. Anyone try to sell one country to another without the consent of its people is not moral and very low. So stop dreaming about giving Taiwan to others but instead concentrate in turning Taiwan into a paradise like Japan once had tried.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tmtmsnb: if your so called "that part of land" means Diaoyu isles, you're so wrong because that's part of Taiwan. Thanks for your reminder that I finally understand why these activists rally against 'Japanese militarism' ! Also I hope Japan could really become a paradise after these right wing Hitler like politician step down, God bless Japan!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yosan, you misunderstood the language. Japan once tried to turn Taiwan into its very own tropical paradise (it thought it would own Taiwan forever). The Japanese wanted Taiwanese to change to Japanese names so that eventually both Taiwanese and Japanese on the island will enjoy the fruit of the paradise together, without knowing who is who.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

tmtmsnbAug. 18, 2013 - The Japanese wanted Taiwanese to change to Japanese names so that eventually both Taiwanese and Japanese on the island will enjoy the fruit of the paradise together, without knowing who is who.

I wanted to close discussion over this issue but you realy went too far! Actually nobody, all over the world, is happy for his traditional name to be changed! I did know some old relatives changed their name during JP occupation time, they said the reason was nothing to do with GLORY, but they need to survive during tough warring time because any family who changed their name can get more food quota... etc. Almost all taiwan resource was delivered to supply military need then! Taiwanese definitely hate war and pro peace.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yosun, you misunderstood (or intentionally so) again. No body said Taiwanese were happy to have their traditional names changed!! What was said above was that Japanese offered (not forced) them to change to Japanese names if they want, so that generations later Taiwanese and Japanese would be the same because nobody would know who actually was who. This compared to KMT imposed personal identification cards to everybody which separate people into two kinds: you are a Taiwanese or you have come from China. Which, according to you, is SEPARATE.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Taiwanese activists rally against 'Japanese militarism'

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

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