Former Japanese PM Fukuda visits memorial hall for Nanjing Massacre victims

An excellent, exemplary leader, not only in Japan, but also in the world, very well respected in China, and in Northeast Asia. I expect that Abe will follow suit soon, no other choice.

Good for him.

A stark reminder that despite what many Chinese themselves claim (and many others around the world believe), that all Japanese are ignorant of their past and whitewash history, many Japanese ARE cognizant of their past and remorseful of these military atrocities.

I don't care a whole lot for the LDP, but I far prefer Fukuda to the loathsome individuals who replaced him.

Finally true leadership!!!

It's a shame Fukuda couldn't lead when he was a leader, but he's doing a good job with this. Well done. And yes, Japanese should go and see the memorial, as we should all see the A-bomh sights, etc. We need to learn, not ignore, the past, and do what we can to help avoid repeating it.

Former Prime Minister Fukuda make a noble act in visiting the Nanjing memorial and saying what he said. May he serve as an example to others.

Good for him.

A stark reminder that despite what many Chinese themselves claim (and many others around the world believe), that all Japanese are ignorant of their past and whitewash history,

I've never seen anyone claim that.

I expect that Abe will follow suit soon, no other choice.

Ha! He'll be gouging his own eyes out before he ever contemplates following suit.

Pukey2, to maintain a good relationship between japan and China is very important for a prosperous Japan.

"I expect that Abe will follow suit soon, no other choice."

Right after, XI visits Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

Excellent example. Well done.

Good job by Fukuda

"One learns somethig new everyday...didnt know it was Chinese air force that dropped the A bombs"

It didn't.

The Catholic Church didn't bomb Hiroshima either, but both the Pope and Mother Theresa both visited Hiroshima.

The Soviet Union didn't bomb Hiroshima, but Gorbachev visited Hiroshima.

Tibet didn't bomb Hiroshima but The Dalai Lama visited Hiroshima.

New Zealand didn't bomb Hiroshima but Helen Clark visited Hiroshima.

Get the point?

Why did the above visit Hiroshima when their countries had no part in the bombing of Hiroshima???????

With so many PMs to choose from how many more visits will it need to have this event listed in local history text books?

Fukuda, one year in office, loser.

Kaifu, 2 years in office, loser.

Murayama, 2 years in office, loser

Yukio Hatoyama 9 months in office, loser.

All the PMs who visited Nanjing were all losers and were terrible PMs. On the other hand,Shinzo Abe, who has never visited Nanjing - but has visited Yasukuni Shrine as PM-, is now the longest serving PM in Japanese history ,and may I add, the most effective PM in the history of Japan.

There seems to be a direct link between the success of Japanese PMs and visits to Nanking and Yasukuni.

Successful Japanese PM such Abe, Koizumi, Yoshida, Nakasone all have visited Yasukuni Shrine but did not visit Nanking.

Loser PMs such as Fukuda, Kaifu, Murayama, Hatoyama skipped Yasukuni shrine but went to Nanking.

My theory is that a Japanese PM who honors the dead of the enemy before his own country's war heroes lacks the political skills to be a great PM.