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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016.Abe pays respects at Hawaii memorials before Pearl Harbor visit
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Novenachama
Now is the the perfect time to stop endlessly demanding apologies from each other for past wars and instead join with each other in dedication to the prevention of the next war. Beyond a certain point, apologies become mere rituals rather than genuine expressions of contrition.
Lynden Clements
Individuals should take responsibility for war crimes. We shouldn't hold an entire nation 'responsible' for the actions of their ancestors. All we can ask is that they remember and teach the new generation accurately what happened so that history is not repeated.
Strangerland
A nation is responsible for the actions of its army. The decisions that direct the army are made by the governing force of that nation - the representatives of the nation.
But no one is holding the entire nation responsible, only the nation itself. Individuals don't have responsibility for actions done by their ancestors.
theeastisred
Not necessarily an apology but I think it would be good to recognise clearly that Japan was led in the wrong direction by a military-dominated government which brought about tremendous damage to many other countries and most of all to Japan itself. And that this will never be allowed to happen again.
qwertyjapan
It won't be long until some of the resident Japan-can-do-no-good people will be along to criticize how he held the wreath, the type and color of flowers, how he wasn't "sincere enough" in his moment of silence, how he held the pen wrong, etc.
Oh, and no one cares about your politics and churlish injection of it into any topic, Sensato.
dcog9065
Actions speak louder than words; Japan's greatest apology has been its unprecedented 70 years of pacifism
DieRealityCheck
Abe should not say a word, just stand quiet and mourn. Anything he says would feed trolls.
What can be remembered and taught, then, is only one fact There was a terrible War between 2 countries. No more no less
Bartholomew Harte
When the U.S. won the war both Japan & the U.S. won the Peace & both have prospered. As for Apologizing , it's been said enough times. as for the Communists,Enough Already!
Fred Wallace
Changing as we speak plus I'm pretty sure pacifism wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts!!
Mike DeJong
randomnator
you have an amazing counting system if two is your maximum number of combatants in the Pacific war. There no less but certainly a lot more.
DieRealityCheck
In the east, there were only white supremacists aggressors' colonies and semi-colonized China sucked down to the marrow, except Thai. These aggressors fought for protecting their vested interests sending local citizens over to the battle fields.
randomnator
DieRealityCheck might just be a troll.
Korean peninsular invaded by which country since when? Colonized by which country? Japan was not liberating anyone, just expanding and terrorising the Western Pacific with pure selfish intent.
sfjp330
theeastisredDEC. 27, 2016 - 10:16AM JST Not necessarily an apology but I think it would be good to recognise clearly that Japan was led in the wrong direction by a military-dominated government
Will Abe specifically acknowledge Japan started the war? Judging by his past speech, probably not.
theeastisred
sfjp:
I doubt it. But we live in hope.
smithinjapan
Novenachama: "Beyond a certain point, apologies become mere rituals rather than genuine expressions of contrition."
Only when insincere, and hence the continued demands for a REAL one. Agree that we all need to move forward, but moving forward while remembering the past, not avoiding or asking that it be forgotten.
DieRealityCheck: "Abe should not say a word, just stand quiet and mourn. Anything he says would feed trolls."
Saying nothing means nothing. We know he's mostly there for a photo op and to gain points at home, but it won't fly over there. When Obama came he made a very wonderful, heartfelt speech. He did not go so far as to apologise, but he did not stand in silence, either, as you are suggesting is ample enough. Imagine if Obama had said nothing but signed a few knick-knacks for Hiroshima to make money off of, and instead of hugging the former victim who then spoke to him, he just pushed him aside and ignored him. That's what you're saying Abe should do.
I think he SHOULD apologise, from a moral standpoint given what Japan did, and to honestly move things forward and show contrition, but politically I know it would not go well, so making a heartfelt speech about the tragedies of war would suffice. And for the record, I think the US should apologise for the atomic bombings, too.
theeastisred
DieReality:
I hope you are not forgetting which was the most enthusiastic member of the 'white supremacists aggressors colonists' club. To help you, please consider a faked episode in 1931 leading to annexation and, yes, colonisation of part of the territory, followed by full-scale invasion in 1937.
GW
AGREED, now after 70+yrs you would think its about time for Japan to do so! That's is teach & learn about what it did!
The above is a perfect example of what happens when history isn't taught or learned.....
oldman_13
Good for Abe.
Of course, the anti Japan naysaying crowd will find something to always nitpick and criticize Abe for. Mind you, these are the same people that always cry that all Japanese and Japanese politicians are ignorant war mongers who gloss over their history.
Yet, here is Abe honoring the memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor. According to the anti Japan crowd, that would never have happened in their lifetimes. But of course now these same people are whining that Abe is not apologizing. Well guess what, Obama didn't apologize at Hiroshima either. And he shouldn't have, and Abe shouldn't have to here either, because that wasn't the point of either trip. Again, it was to honor the dead from a horrible war. End of story.
DieRealityCheck
smith
WillyBrandt style. Looks like it’s more appealing to those who endlessly claim Japan’s apologies as insincere, doesn’t it.
It’s your own business how you perceive his visit. There are others who wouldn’t perceive in such petty manner. Enjoy your long-lasting life.
Oh Yes. Japan or Abe might need some help for Hollywood –style stagings , by employing Stage-director, Scenario writer, Stylists. And yet, 17min speeches would be unnecessary when you mourn to the war-dead because he is not speaking to US Congress but to the war-dead. NO wonder you never understand Yasukuni.
Do you know what white supremacists’ principle means? They didn’t allow the colored to be a member, that’s the whole point.
You’re the perfect example of what happens when history was distorted and ruined by white victor’s expedience.
Jim Poushinsky
Abe and Obama's intention to "console the souls of those who died in the war" is a step in the right direction, but it will not work if the message that the war is over and the world is now at peace is contradicted by a commitment to prepare for war with China and/or Russia. You can't have it both ways! If this meeting is truly about showing the troubled souls who died in WW2 and are still trapped there that war is over and they can now go to the Light, then include the leaders of China and Russia as well. If Abe and Obama and Xi Jinping and Putin were to tour the world's war memorial sites to assure the souls of the dead that war is over and all are committed to peaceful resolution of conflict, that would be a giant leap forward for all humanity past, present, and future!
mt9334
@Strangerland,
You wrote, "But no one is holding the entire nation responsible, only the nation itself." What?
It is not possible for a thing not to be itself. A nation is comprised of its peoples...all of them. To claim a nation is responsible just means that the entire nation is responsible.
The law of identity remains true....to the surprise of many! (A=A , A does not equal Not A. )
DieRealityCheck
smith
A bit of rich, coming from you right after posting this pettiness as always.
You all know and think he is there for photo op and gaining points, so insincere! even before he leaves Japan
and then what's next?, damn if he does, damn if he doesn't
theeastisred
'Reality':
Japan modelled its colonial subjugation of east and southeast Asia on the western powers, if that is what you are trying to say.
DieRealityCheck
theeastisred
Not really. Japan didnot take same approach at all. Western Powers just exploited.
smith
Here we go, damn if he doesn't, damn however he does. One should not expect any from the insincere gesture.
smithinjapan
DieRealityCheck: "Here we go, damn if he doesn't, damn however he does. One should not expect any from the insincere gesture."
And yet you defend it, knowing it's wrong. Go figure.
DieRealityCheck
smith
What's wrong I know? lol. When are you posting your anti-Abe comments to the new threads after the event by the way? Was it sincere or insincere or what?
theeastisred
Exactly the opposite was true, except that the longer-lasting peacetime colonies of Taiwan, Korea and Manchuria were closer to the western model. Civilians who were subjected to both styles (Malaya, Singapore, Philippines, Dutch East Indies etc) will help you understand which type was less popular. And that's before we get to China of course.