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Abe expected to skip China's Victory Day parade

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They were beaten so bad that Chiang Kai Shek wanted to negotiate a surrender but the Allies (Churchill) told him to stop whining.

Um, nope. As this link shows http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/03/24/mao-won-the-battle-chiang-kai-shek-won-the-war/

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Accrding to nigelboy;s above info (written in Japanese), Public Report Officer was not clear about invitation of PM Abe. Also, Public news officer said He was not informed invitation erc.

nigelboy: it is nice you often write in Japanese but about all of people here are not familiar with Japanese that are written for Japanese. Please translate in English and write exact translation. Don't forget JT is for English language users.

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It means you didn't know what you are talking about, you didn't even know that Japan got the invitation from China and kept denying everything

Did they?

一方で、華報道官は、安倍総理大臣を招待したかどうかについては明言しませんでした。

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20150324/k10010026671000.html

 中国外務省の華春瑩報道官は25日の定例記者会見で、中国が戦後70年に合わせて9月に予定している軍事パレードなどの記念行事に、安倍晋三首相を招待したことについて「事情を承知していない」と述べ、確認しなかった。

http://www.sankei.com/world/news/150325/wor1503250061-n1.html

And, yes, if you ask any Chinese you will have the same answer that the CCP prevailed in China and now even prevail economically over the whole world. Accept it because denying it will get you nowhere except depression that Japanese seem to suffer a lot.

Then stop whining as though you are eternal victims because all if former Allieds have stopped several decades ago. What a wuss.

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It means China is playing this 'sincerity' game. Rather pathetic considering they're pretending to victims while 'showing off' their Little Emperor forces. Do people in China still believe that it was the "Resistance" that prevailed in China? Lol.

It means you didn't know what you are talking about, you didn't even know that Japan got the invitation from China and kept denying everything. Same as Abe who tries to deny, whitewash, down-grade the atrocities that the whole world has sided with China. And, yes, if you ask any Chinese you will have the same answer that the CCP prevailed in China and now even prevail economically over the whole world. Accept it because denying it will get you nowhere except depression that Japanese seem to suffer a lot.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It was their prolonged resistance (on the nationalist side) that forced Japan to push further south in order to cut off their supply routes. That in turn led to the oil embargo from the US - and the rest is history. However I think it would be a churlish move on the part of Mr Abe to skip the parade

They were beaten so bad that Chiang Kai Shek wanted to negotiate a surrender but the Allies (Churchill) told him to stop whining.

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Do people in China still believe that it was the "Resistance" that prevailed in China? Lol.

It was their prolonged resistance (on the nationalist side) that forced Japan to push further south in order to cut off their supply routes. That in turn led to the oil embargo from the US - and the rest is history. However I think it would be a churlish move on the part of Mr Abe to skip the parade

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nigelboy, keep denying it. What does the following statement mean?

It means China is playing this 'sincerity' game. Rather pathetic considering they're pretending to victims while 'showing off' their Little Emperor forces. Do people in China still believe that it was the "Resistance" that prevailed in China? Lol.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

which did NOT include Communist China

Actually nationalist China, under Chiang Kaishek did a lot of the fighting. Japan had millions of troops tied town holding their territory in China till the end of the war - troops that were not used in the Pacific. Mao on the other hand generally held his forces back - and then swooped to take the country after the war ended. Nonetheless China is right in demanding Japan show proper remorse

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nigelboy, keep denying it. What does the following statement mean?

“Japan’s prime minister is set to rebuff a prckly invitation to a Chinese military parade, as the former World War II enemies jockey over the telling of their shared history.”

Here is what insincerity is: “The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious distress and damage that Japan caused to the Chinese people through its aggression against China during a certain period in the past and expressed deep remorse for this, Statement by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama "

“According to the summary of the panel's second round debate on historical issues, the 16-member panel quibbled about "whether it is appropriate to determine that the war was an act of aggression based on present values", with the majority insisting that "Japan should not be the only one to blame as aggression was also conducted by the Allied Forces" and the word "aggression" should not be used in Abe's statement.”

Where is consistency? Where is sincerity? How can we trust the Japanese leader?

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nigelboy, getting angry will not help when it is the truth. Keep denying it will not help. China has always been consistent in what they say and do, but I can't say the same for Japan.

Angry? No. I'm constantly amazed that you make such remark when they keep changing their tune. Their consistency is that they move their goal posts.

To add

"...Japan’s foreign ministry said it had not received an invitation..."

“There will be great reluctance to attend [at a senior level], especially if it appears designed to upset Japan,” said one European diplomat..."

And of course, this.

The September 3 display, in which heavy weaponry is likely to feature, is set to pass by Beijing’s symbolically resonant Tiananmen Square, where tanks rolled in during a bloody massacre in 1989.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ecebc5fa-cee8-11e4-893d-00144feab7de.html#axzz3VchfUSom

"Sincere" is not in the Chinese vocabulary. So stop preaching I say.

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nigelboy, getting angry will not help when it is the truth. Keep denying it will not help. China has always been consistent in what they say and do, but I can't say the same for Japan.

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Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga “declined to comment on whether Abe would attend the Chinese parade.” “We have told them our country’s way of thinking regarding such an official ceremony,” he said. From this answer It clearly shows that Japan has been invited and that Abe will not be attending.

It doesn't. Nice try.

1978 was a long time ago, besides Japanese leaders couldn’t even remember that they did agree with China to put the island issue aside for the next generation to solve, so we can’t really blame China for not able to forget about the atrocities either. My point is that not only that the whole country of Chinese people will be watching the ceremony but the whole world too. A sincere apology and a commitment to follow through at this point will definitely put the issue to rest. It is a win-win for both. But I don’t think Abe will do it because it is against what he stands for. China knows it too. He always puts his political party’s and his own interest ahead of national interest. Why do you think Japan has been in the doldrums for so long? Good leaders make all the difference, but poor leaders get all the glory.

There is no dispute. That was the status quo. And as usual, China broke them. Same crap with this 'history' issue as well. They keep making things as they go along. Irrational, as always.

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Nigelboy, “on March 25th, your beloved FM response was neither confirmation or denial which begs the question if such invitation actually exist.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga “declined to comment on whether Abe would attend the Chinese parade.” “We have told them our country’s way of thinking regarding such an official ceremony,” he said. From this answer It clearly shows that Japan has been invited and that Abe will not be attending.

1978 was a long time ago, besides Japanese leaders couldn’t even remember that they did agree with China to put the island issue aside for the next generation to solve, so we can’t really blame China for not able to forget about the atrocities either. My point is that not only that the whole country of Chinese people will be watching the ceremony but the whole world too. A sincere apology and a commitment to follow through at this point will definitely put the issue to rest. It is a win-win for both. But I don’t think Abe will do it because it is against what he stands for. China knows it too. He always puts his political party’s and his own interest ahead of national interest. Why do you think Japan has been in the doldrums for so long? Good leaders make all the difference, but poor leaders get all the glory.

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I guess “sincerity” seems to be an annoying word to you.

It's ambiguos and a receipe for moving goal posts which China uses ad nauseum. Hence, it's tiresome. And it's not annoying since it's China who has not shown 'sincerity' by again, setting this exact 'moving goal posts and ambiguity' as a condition for attendance. And what's more absurd is that when confronted by the media whether or not China did in fact invite Japan, on March 25th, your beloved FM response was neither confirmation or denial which begs the question if such invitation actually exist.

And your assertion that by attending this, it would " free itself once and for all" is a complete joke for that was the understanding in 1978. China has proven time and time again that they will come up with something. They can't help themselves. It's a joke of a country.

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scipantheist, “Nobody with a brain argues that military spending should be proportional to population. The expensive stuff are things like planes and ships.”

For comparison purposes, in terms of military spending for defense there must be a correlation between spending and population/territories. However, for offensive purposes much like the US, spending tends to be based on corporate America directives. I thought the most expensive costs are the labour which the US has been complaining that it is unfair, planes and ships can be a lot cheaper if the labour cost is low.

Nigelboy, “Call it whatever you want but it still doesn't change the result nor does it have anything to do with 'sincerity'. And as to your second statement, it goes to show that the public are content with the status quo which results in lower voter turnout which in turn means considerable advantage towards the ruling party. Again, this has nothing to do with 'sincerity'.”

I guess “sincerity” seems to be an annoying word to you. Sincerity needs to be in both appearance and facts, not just saying one thing and do another. By refusing to attend the parade, Japan is admitting to the whole world that it is not at all sincere. Japan is avoiding or trying to minimize the issue at all costs. It can’t stand up and say we did it and we regretted that we did it in front of those people who really matter. Unless Japan has a hidden agenda, why not take this opportunity to free itself once and for all. Make it so that China will not have any more excuse to carry on the issue. The point is China knows that Abe will definitely not attend the ceremony because he lacks sincerity. Let me ask you this, do you really think that Abe is sincere when he said he’d uphold the previous apology statement and at one point he was trying to modify the statement or when he hired a bunch of people to advise him of what he should say on his own statement. If he can’t be sincere, then he cannot be trusted. Half of the Japanese population do not care about politics and the other half may just want to vote for the winners, and you call this democratic. I call it “democratic authoritarian state” very much like China. If you ask Chinese people, the majority of them will vote for CCP so what is the point of having an election. And, don’t say the word ‘sincerity’ again if it’s really disturbing you.

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Nigelboy / scipantheist, oh, yes, “US protection” money, doesn’t it sound like the Mafia? Tell me what are the chances that the opposition would be elected while less than half of the population cares about the politics. In this I think Japan and China are pretty much alike.

Call it whatever you want but it still doesn't change the result nor does it have anything to do with 'sincerity'. And as to your second statement, it goes to show that the public are content with the status quo which results in lower voter turnout which in turn means considerable advantage towards the ruling party. Again, this has nothing to do with 'sincerity'.

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Nobody with a brain argues that military spending should be proportional to population. The expensive stuff are things like planes and ships.

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OssanAmerica, confusing isn’t it in trying to distinguish between two groups of Chinese people? CCP party and KMT party are both Chinese; by your understanding it’s like saying Republican and Democrats one of which is not American. Don’t wreak your brain for that and try to accept that Chinese people fought against Japanese invaders during the War so you will feel better.

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The only "Victory" that China can be proud of is their victory over Chiang Ka Shek's KMT forces, whom they chased off the mainland in 1948 to form Communist China. The ones who actually fought and defeated Imperial Japan, the Allied powers which did NOT include Communist China don't harp on Japan's WWII history like China does. This is why it's not just Japan that's weary of China's WWII fixation, the hipocrisy is evident to the rest of the world. And being seen as a threat by its smaller Asian neighbors certaily doesn't help.

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Nigelboy / scipantheist, oh, yes, “US protection” money, doesn’t it sound like the Mafia? Tell me what are the chances that the opposition would be elected while less than half of the population cares about the politics. In this I think Japan and China are pretty much alike.

I find it very contradictory when Japan claiming to be peaceful yet it is one of the top 10 military spending in the world. For defense purposes, the larger the size of the country and population, the more military spending the country should have. Is this logical to you? Let’s put aside the size of the country and “peaceful” constitution for the sake of this argument, only look at the size of the population Japan spends a quarter of China’s military spending and yet it only has 1/10 of China’s population. And, the US spends 4 or 5 times more than China. Poor excuses such as “it is a non-democracy,” or “we can never know how much China actually spends,” or “we have to reach all the way across the Pacific to throw you back,” show that you are extremely gullible and trusting your government too much, and ignore the moral and conscience of being part of this world. As you said, “Japan needs to spend more,” for what? To protect itself from N Korea and China, yet claiming itself to be peaceful? What are the chances that China will attack Japan? Virtually none. N Korea will not attack Japan if the US is not provoking it. So, it’s only Japan itself that is to blame for setting itself up to be the puppet of the US or perhaps it has no choice.

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scipantheist Mar. 27, 2015 - 05:00AM JST You are criticizing Japan (1% of GDP on military spending) when you have no problem with China (2% of GDP on military spending). And because it is a non-democracy, we can never know how much China actually spends.

You have to remember that China has 10 times more population than Japan, but spends approximately four times more than Japan. If you based on per capita spending, it's still only a fraction to Japan.

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There are more military personnel in China, last time I heard it has the largest army in the world and how many military personnel in Japan that lead you to believe that Japan deserves to spend so much and even when it is under US protection.

What a joke of a comment. It is precisely because China has the largest military that Japan must spend considerably more to throw them back. You are criticizing Japan (1% of GDP on military spending) when you have no problem with China (2% of GDP on military spending). And because it is a non-democracy, we can never know how much China actually spends. Yeah the US is higher, but we have to reach all the way across the Pacific to throw you back. Japan needs to spend more.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ever heard of accessory to murder? Let me ask you this, did Japan ever help the US in its various missions?” Is Japan starting to export arms that will kill people? You don’t have to get your hands dirty in the killing but you are still a killer.

Yes. But using such analogy is so out of whack that it begs the mindset of the person who makes this.

There are more military personnel in China, last time I heard it has the largest army in the world and how many military personnel in Japan that lead you to believe that Japan deserves to spend so much and even when it is under US protection.

Japan does pay for the so-called "US protection" which is included in the budget.

Another words, there is no point to have the election at all when you already know the result. What kind of democracy is this? A sham democracy.

No. It's democracy because the opposition can be elected as a majority which is why the ruling power needs to keep the approval of the majority of the public.

So, what I said about Japan’s lack of sincerity, huge military spending while claiming to be for peace, and only one political party in power for almost 7 decades are not facts?

Huge by what standards? It's still within a percent of the GDP. And to be more precise, it's about 55 years of political power. And again, what does this have to do with "lack of sincerity". Nothing.

Because Japan relies on US war powers.

So what are you bitching about then?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

70 years of peace

Because Japan relies on US war powers. And does not restrain US war power.

Japan's fable of "contributions to world peace"evaporated in the 1990 invasion of Iraq. No one takes Japan seriously.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

“70 years of peace and not a single foreign civilian killed by SDF. Japan has passed this so-called "test" which the rest of the world recognizes. While on the flip side...Nevermind.”

Ever heard of accessory to murder? Let me ask you this, did Japan ever help the US in its various missions?” Is Japan starting to export arms that will kill people? You don’t have to get your hands dirty in the killing but you are still a killer.

“Personnel costs. People in Japan make more per capita than that of China.”

There are more military personnel in China, last time I heard it has the largest army in the world and how many military personnel in Japan that lead you to believe that Japan deserves to spend so much and even when it is under US protection.

“At least Japan does hold elections and there are times when LDP has lost power as a result of those past elections. It's not LDP's fault that the oppositon party has been clueless and have failed to grasp the approval of the citizens.”

Another words, there is no point to have the election at all when you already know the result. What kind of democracy is this? A sham democracy.

“You haven't presented any 'facts' to dispute them but merely leap to a conclusion of 'deception' based on some worthless counter arguments.”

So, what I said about Japan’s lack of sincerity, huge military spending while claiming to be for peace, and only one political party in power for almost 7 decades are not facts?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yet, Japan kept failing the tests again and again.

70 years of peace and not a single foreign civilian killed by SDF. Japan has passed this so-called "test" which the rest of the world recognizes. While on the flip side...Nevermind.

The question we should be thinking is how come Japan needs to have military spending 5 times more than China’s on per capita basis even when it’s being forced to seek peac

Personnel costs. People in Japan make more per capita than that of China.

Also, the buzz word “democracy” that Japan presumed to have is way too far from the truth when you have only one political party in power for almost 70 years after the War.

At least Japan does hold elections and there are times when LDP has lost power as a result of those past elections. It's not LDP's fault that the oppositon party has been clueless and have failed to grasp the approval of the citizens.

All these boil down to that Japanese people are being deceived to believe that Japan has “democracy, human rights, rule of law, and contribution to world peace,” but the facts may be something you don’t want to hear.

You haven't presented any 'facts' to dispute them but merely leap to a conclusion of 'deception' based on some worthless counter arguments.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

“By reading between the lines, it's simply another childish attempt by China to use this 'sincerity' card against Japan. It's old and tiring.” Yet, Japan kept failing the tests again and again. Either Japan is sincere or insincere, there is no middle ground. By refusing to face its cruel history and just displaying “victim” card is only confirming its insincerity. The question we should be thinking is how come Japan needs to have military spending 5 times more than China’s on per capita basis even when it’s being forced to seek peace. Also, the buzz word “democracy” that Japan presumed to have is way too far from the truth when you have only one political party in power for almost 70 years after the War. All these boil down to that Japanese people are being deceived to believe that Japan has “democracy, human rights, rule of law, and contribution to world peace,” but the facts may be something you don’t want to hear. You see a leopard is hard to change its spots.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

By reading between the lines

By reading between the lines, it's simply another childish attempt by China to use this 'sincerity' card against Japan. It's old and tiring.

I kind of liked Suga's response on March 9th in regards to the initial comments by the foreign minister of China.

"いろんなことをみなさんが言うが、わが国の戦後70年間の歩みは民主的で人権を守り、法の支配、国際平和への貢献については普遍だ"

"There are many comments but our country's 70 year post war progression based on the framework of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and contribution to world peace is acknowledged universally".

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression”

Now who can resist an invitation like that?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Smart China for posting a test of Japan’s sincerity. By reading between the lines, we can see that China does not expect Japan to be “sincere” enough to attend: “Earlier this month China’s foreign minister said Abe would be welcome if he is “sincere”, and that Japan should face up to its wartime past and not “lose its conscience”,” and “China’s foreign ministry regularly urges Japan to “show sincerity” over history, signalling that it does not believe Tokyo is earnest enough.” By using lame excuses such as, “Japan is asking China to improve the transparency of its military budget, so it’s impossible for the prime minister to attend,” and “We have told them our country’s way of thinking regarding such an official ceremony,” Japan has shown to the world that it is not at all “sincere” in its apology. Abe has failed this test miserably.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Such a pity he doesn't have the courage.

Hilarious. Were you sleeping under a rock when this happened?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/jul/08/shinzo-abe-world-war-canberra-video

Mr Abe doesn't waste his time with insincere hate peddlers like the government of PRC, or third rate politicians without appointments like Onaga. Its only natural.

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Good. If we want to see goose-stepping soldiers, there is plenty of stock footage.

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“Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression”.

LOL. Let's skip the part where Mao himself thanked the Japanese for weakening the KMT which paved the way for their victory.

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China's constant whining about Japan's past aggression has only one purpose; to disguise China's present aggression.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It's been a very long post-war period in these parts.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When did WWII begin?

1940 with Pearl Harbor?

1939 with Hitler's invasion of Poland?

For China it was 1931 when Japan seized Manchuria after a bloody invasion.

I note that what China is celebrating here is the “Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” so China's time frame on this is 1931 to 1945.

If Abe had the guts to put his pride to one side and attend this event he would go a long way to cleaning the slate.

Such a pity he doesn't have the courage.

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jerseyboy. You're right. This is a bad development. If asians would put aside their "pride" (maybe impossible for both Koreas, Japan and China), then maybe they could learn a lesson from Merkel and Germany. This pride thing is really big for asians.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe should attend the parade as soon as the loud-mouthed Chinese leaders apologize to the Tibetans, the Mongolians, Manchurians and Uighurs for occupying their lands and to the Chinese people for the slaughter of millions during the so-called cultural revolution.

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Abe expected to skip China's Victory Day parade

This is a very sad development, especially 70 years after the end of the war. And, IMO, both China and Japan are to blame equally for this. If Merkel could represent Germany at the D-Day ceremonies last year, and be warmly received, then China, Japan, and SK should have been able to get past all this childish bickering. And, unfortunately, given the passage of time, it has now become the ultimate "which came first, the chicken or the egg"? And, with tensions in the region seeming to grow daily, the fact that they cannot put history behind them does not bode well for the future. Glad I only have a "bleacher" now to observe these problems.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Abe believes USA is a victor, not China. So he will not attend, If Taowan's relocated Chinese people claim vistory, he may attend. Sho Kai Seki (Japanese called) was the person who led resistence against Japan for years.

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Why send such an invitation to someone you really don't want in your country?Show some sincerity your own self China.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Perhaps abe should invite chinese leadership to attend their new remembrance parade - Tienmen Square Day. Invite their leadership to speak after Abe tells the events. ;0

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"The parade will officially celebrate “Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression”.

Abe cannot attend this event, as he does not believe Japan was the aggressor in the war.

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It seems that China remains always grumpy to Japan as long as Abe doesn't obey/follow whatever China says/asks.

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Christopher GlenMar. 26, 2015 - 05:40PM JST "China’s foreign ministry regularly urges Japan to “show sincerity” over history, signalling that it does not believe Tokyo is earnest enough." Well Mr Abe certainly isn't

Not really. All other nations in the world commemorate the end of WWII with an honest desire for peace, good relations and cooperation among past combatants. However the Chinese dictatorship continuously harps on WWII as if they never signed a treaty with Japa back in 1972 and makes no effort to move forward. Yes, they can go play with themselves. .

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The parade will officially celebrate “Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression”..............In all honesty not exactly a heartfelt invitation that any leader of government would rush to attend.

What does disappoint and dismay is how acrimonious and sour the relationship between China and Japans leadership and governments has become.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

“Japan is asking China to improve the transparency of its military budget, so it’s impossible for the prime minister to attend,”

Non-sequitor. Not surprising he wouldn't attend, though. Even if Abe were sincere, which he most certainly is not except for his efforts to CHANGE historical fact, I don't think it would necessarily be a good move for a Japanese politician to attend what is merely a propaganda event for the government of China.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Yubaru,

A true statesman would have found this an opportunity to open better lines of communication, not close them.

My sentiments exactly.

But hardly surprising considering Abe doesn't even have the cohones to face Onaga, the leader of the poorest and weakest prefecture in Japan.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Merkel declines Putin's invite for World War Two commemoration in Moscow

Possibly due to the objection of the EU to Russia's takeover of the Crimea (in other circumstances Merkel would be happy to attend) Abe on the other hand doesn't have that same excuse regarding China

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Like I have repeated ad nauseum here, Abe may be the leader of Japan but he does not have any leadership skills.

A true statesman would have found this an opportunity to open better lines of communication, not close them.

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What! They expect the premier of Japan to stand as the accused and Kow Tow to Chinese current aggression with most of its neighbours! Methinks not! I agree China should just go ahead and play with themselves while forcing their propaganda down the throats of their own people. Who gives a steaming t&@d what any un-elected military/political/tyrannical regime thinks anyway.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The military parade is too heavily politicised and would obviously be used as a major propaganda tool by the Chinese, so I think it would be a big mistake for Abe to go.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

China’s foreign ministry regularly urges Japan to “show sincerity” over history, signalling that it does not believe Tokyo is earnest enough.

Well Mr Abe certainly isn't

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Earlier this month China's foreign minister said Abe would be welcome if he is "sincere", and that Japan should face up to its wartime past and not "lose its conscience"

With a comment like the above, the nationalist Abe had no choice but skip it altogether. China probably didn't really expect him to come any way. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to defend Abe at all. I'm just hoping China will come up with a subtler and better idea to have him see their points.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

party-pooper..

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I'm sure the leaders of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and even the province of Taiwan will be delighted also to attend the Victory Day of the Chinese People and watch the goose-stepping soldiers, heavy artillery and rocketry and flypasts by fighter and bomber aircraft.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Nah, Abe should turn up, smile and wave a lot. It'd be great.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

PM Abe's excellent diplomatic decision to protect Japan's self respect , image and public morale.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

American was veterans came to Iwo Jima to pray before memorial commemorating all of the war dead, including both Japanese and Americans. What's wrong with Abe? We should morn all the war dead together. If he attended, maybe they would say, OK, not 70th anniversary statement necessary!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

abe is a chicka chicka chick CHICKEN!!

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

@some14some A nice bit of old-school wedge politics there. Damn him if he does, and damn him if he doesn't.

Moreover, I don't believe that China will be "playing by themselves". Given the country's economic might, the conger line of usual suspects (diplomats) will make an appearance to show unity with Beijing. Of course, the trick will be to send 3rd Secretaries from embassies, not anybody important.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how Abe behaves in the next couple of months. If he stiffs China outright and plays them with a dead bat, how is he going to address US interest groups (such as the POWs, etc.), if they gain traction during his US tour? Having $10 each way isn't going to cut it. Either Abe draws a definite line in the sand and shows himself to be an unabashed revisionist or he starts toning down the rhetoric and diverting attention to the myriad of other pressing issues.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Abe san is right, let the Chinese play by themselves.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

Earlier this month China’s foreign minister said Abe would be welcome if he is “sincere”, and that Japan should face up to its wartime past and not “lose its conscience”.

China should change its stand and say Abe would be welcome even if he is not sincere....then let's see if he can accept this invitation (!)

3 ( +8 / -5 )

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