Japan Today
politics

Japan says it is puzzled by new China WWII national days

69 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
Video promotion

Niseko Green Season


69 Comments
Login to comment

Japan is puzzled? How ridiculous. It's an internal matter for China. Every country has right to designate which date is for national rememberance. Maybe China is puzzled that Japan has a national rememberance to Hiroshima's August 6, 1945. What is the difference?

12 ( +32 / -20 )

Not sure why Japan's puzzled about this, just coming off 'Takeshima Day' and all (granted, that one is just intended to anger SKoreans) and go to the Senkakus to throw fish in the sea and celebrate sovereignty. Both governments act like children when it comes to this kind of thing.

19 ( +33 / -14 )

And we're puzzled why Japanese celebrate Yasukuni, and wants to register Kamikaze with UNESCO.

Amusing.

22 ( +37 / -15 )

Japan is the stepping stone for Chinas ego. Its not puzzeling.

2 ( +15 / -13 )

The hardest thing the Chinese government will have is trying to sell this propaganda to Chinese under the age of 35 .

I know several Chinese here in America and when I go to ask them what they think about Japan, they tell me they Love Japan.

They go in to tell me that Chinese in China have to go along with the government otherwise the government with do bad things to them.

So, good luck selling this "I Hate Japanese" propaganda to millions of Chinese that drive Toyota's, listen to AKB48, own "Hello Kitty" toys, eat Sushi, and shop at Uniqlo.

-3 ( +13 / -16 )

Puzzled? That is quite a choice of words! And it seems it was not the official who chose it.

He said it did not understand this move by China, considering all the time that has passed since those events. I have a hint for him. Its just like Takeshima Day!

9 ( +16 / -7 )

China is the four-letter word of Japanese politics.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The Japanese government on Friday said it was puzzled over why Beijing approved national remembrance days to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre and its defeat in World War II, after decades of Japanese pacifism.

Um. Might it have something to do with Abe's ultra right wing activities, such as the "Secrecy bill," denial of history and return to militarism?

Nah!

11 ( +21 / -10 )

Good one Chucky! Yes, a lot of people would like to know why Japan purposely went and enshrined a number of convicted war criminals thus undermining the legitimacy of Yasukuni. You might also ask why is it so difficult to dis-enshrine people afterwards (Koreans and Taiwanese spirits who want out)

Of course China is just upping the ante, however, as I said yesterday they are being pretty dumb if they believe they can control public sentiment once it is unleashed.

The Japanese side appear to be playing this with a deal bat at the moment. For followers of cricket they are letting it through to the slips. What worries me, however, is that somebody (a ring-wing politician) will take the Chinese bait and say something stupid.

Watch this space.....

6 ( +12 / -6 )

The Japanese government on Friday said it was puzzled over why Beijing approved national remembrance days to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre and its defeat in World War II, after decades of Japanese pacifism.

As others have said, China, much of Asia, and the U.S. are just as puzzled as to why Japan wants to "revisit" the apology about "comfort-women" and why politicians keep visiting Yasakuni.

6 ( +16 / -10 )

BertieWoosterMar. 01, 2014 - 08:01AM JST "The Japanese government on Friday said it was puzzled over why Beijing approved national remembrance days to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre and its defeat in World War II, after decades of Japanese pacifism."

Um. Might it have something to do with Abe's ultra right wing activities, such as the "Secrecy bill," denial of history and >return to militarism? Nah!

Can you list any more Chinese propaganda? The "Secrecy Bill" is to bring intelligence security on a par level with the U.S. and other allies. Denial of history? What, Abe denies that WWII happened? Return to militarism is a good one. Has Japan gone back to having an Army Minister and a Navy Minister in the cabinet?

-16 ( +12 / -28 )

wow these guys sure need to enroll in a 'how not to be a hypocrite 101" course. We are so peaceful and will never wage war again, but we need to have an active military. We are peaceful now, everyone respects us, so we are going to go ahead and prove we didn't do those bad things. But you guys should just forget the past while we are busy erasing it.

@saketown, yes most regular folks from all the countries involved have been enjoying each others cultures and sightseeing, business together, etc. But the governments seem determined to change this. It is not one way thing, every one is attacking each other.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

@ Saketown nailed it! I studied Japanese in Kyoto for half a year and there were heaps of Chinese students who loved Japan I know there are lots that do. Just the crummy Chinese and Japanese governments popping off at the mouth.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

@saketown

I know several Chinese here in America and when I go to ask them what they think about Japan, they tell me they Love Japan. Sadly, the Chinese you meet in America are not representative of the country as a whole. Most of the country remains extremely provincial - and the "Let's all hate the Japanese" campaign is mostly working. Even if you have 200 million enlightened people in China, that still leaves 800 million who need someone to hate.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

"Japan says it is puzzled by new China WWII national days"

According to Abe and many of his loony politicians, Japan was not defeated on WW2 and there was no was massacre in Nanjing by the Japanese.

That's the puzzlement.

10 ( +18 / -8 )

Most of Japan is not at all puzzled. In truth the ones who say they are are pretending they are puzzled just as they are pretending things like the Nanjing Massacre did not happen.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

I guess I find the timing interesting. Why not 50 years sooner?

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Japan's bad blood is not only with China and Korea. We in SE Asia are also watching and in Singapore, we too have commemorative days for Japan's invasion and Japan's surrender! The problem is, our government is too weak and our country too small to speak out against Japan. But I can tell you for sure that we in Malaysia and Singapore are quietly rooting for China and S Korea!

7 ( +17 / -10 )

It is pretty much common around Asia that many hate japan for its war time acts, but for 70 years she has been a peaceful nation who contributed to the economy and well being of the region.

You want to continue to live in the past then how about what the English did in the middle east, how about what the romans did in England, how about what the French did in the carribean and Africa, how about what the English did in nz and aussie, how about what the americans did with Africans, we could keep going on n on n on, but sometimes you just gotta move forward for petes sake.

Nothing good ever comes from living in the past.

8 ( +14 / -6 )

The general public are also confused by continued Yasukuni visits, but our concerns fall on deaf ears anyway.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

@smithinjapan

Both governments act like children when it comes to this kind of thing.

When I said the same thing I got thumbed down no less than 10 times (maybe even more... I haven't checked) but I, and a few others, thumbed you up.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

What a mess.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I am also Not sure why Japan's puzzled. I am shore that china is pushing and building to to start war 100%.

I like China thinking with the comments released "Military expert Zhang Zhaozhong says new US lasers ‘most afraid’ of China’s smog". Good to see china's worried about the smog that affects their own peoples health on a daily basis but it does offer defence to lasers lol

Well there only building up like there is know tomorrow, i am not surprised they have even been thinking about stopping the U.S best weapons. Well that's why there hacking like the world will end if they don't get tec.

There whole thinking is war weapons for war. I remember 1996 and so many people come out and said "don't" give them a market, a massive build up and conflict will follow. Well i think them people are 100% right, and that's why they never got let 2 before.

I believe "maybe" a deal was done for HongKong to stay un-communist in law rule. There is know way china does not apply full law & order in 1 city?

I even think back when china got there market and some people in America gov said NO NO NO, some people said "we can just cut them off anyway". Well it becomes a big problem to cut off a country once the world market is dependent on & mass jobs around the world are made. They didn't think about that 1.

Just look at the start to now. At the start they did pass and did let the media do more reporting "unto" they new there market was needed. Any small steps to democracy got undone the second they new.

If you look at the past and wars you should learn from them. If you take there word on what they say, & they get busted lying every time "Your a idiot if you don't act".

How many times has china denied the reports, then everyone of them come true?

They said they would not start trouble "build up on a mass scale islands". Well they did that & they said they would never build attack weapons also. Well they did why coming out denying the allegations say " its a lie with no proof and we deny any such thing". The problem is it turnouts they are just making statements on TV to the west gov "lying to there faces every time". The way i see it "you don't lie unless your up to know good".

Everything china is doing is leading to a disaster and we are seeing the warning signs "You don't trust none stop liars" that's for shore.

So over all we have China lying about not starting trouble in the area "massive build up of massive weapons ASAP", and them lying about not building up ATTACK weapons. We also herd the Chinese top ruler come out and deny they were building or getting a aircraft carrier. I even see him on tv saying that, "but then it comes out" they had already signed the deal to buy it from Ukraine, before he made that statement "out right lies none stop to us".

More to the point everything i read up on and so on, points to a massive build up, and the things they are building leads me to believe they 100% have plans for big war in the future.

For instance. China is building a 5,000 mile underground attack proof "nuclear proof tunnel system", that goes in all different directions and can move mass troops, tanks and weapons away from attack, or even nuclear attack. You do not build something on that scale "and that cost" unless you have plans to use it. Looks like India will be next after the islands. I think that tunnel system would be good in any war, but perfect for a conflict with India, to take that land that is divided.

China is not hacking for fun, china is building up as big as you can without tec "and with tec". That point was reached many years ago and they then new they had to get tec ASAP, So this is why we see china investing trillions around the world "saving it up", and its why we now see china hacking on such a big scale, gov departments want to take action.

So China is hacking the tec, and the time they get it "10 - 25" years time, they will have over $10 - $20 trillion "ready" for mass production of hi tec weapons.

China is not trying to make its own dollar for nothing, they are trying to destroy democracy and know they must defeat America.

I could be here all night also talking about there over weapons, but 1 more like the hole island "underground" nuclear sub base, would make me wright a 1 million page SA "There is 2 many things". If people don't get "in 10 - 25 year time" they 100% will "too late".

If we can not see what is so clear, then we must learn another lesson "exceeding" the last 1.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

"This is a domestic matter for China, so the government declines to comment on it. Japan’s position on World War II has not changed a bit, and Japan has followed the path of peaceful nationhood since the end of the war, which has been highly commended by the international community."

Anyone finding fault with that statement is just a blind hater looking for a reason to complain about Japan. And the usual suspects mentioning Secrecy Acts, Takeshima and Yasukini need to get back on topic.

Bottom line, nobody cares what "holidays" the commies celebrate.

-12 ( +8 / -20 )

@stormR

You want to continue to live in the past then how about what the English did in the middle east, how about what the romans did in England, how about what the French did in the carribean and Africa, how about what the English did in nz and aussie, how about what the americans did with Africans, we could keep going on n on n on, but sometimes you just gotta move forward for petes sake.

A difference here is acknowledgement and lack of denial of these facts, take Africans in America for example. here is the official apology issued by the U.S. Congress

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hres194/text

Whereas an apology for centuries of brutal dehumanization and injustices cannot erase the past, but confession of the wrongs committed can speed racial healing and reconciliation and help Americans confront the ghosts of their past;

2 ( +8 / -6 )

iWorldMar. 01, 2014 - 09:01AM JST "Japan says it is puzzled by new China WWII national days" According to Abe and many of his loony politicians, Japan was not defeated on WW2 and there was no was massacre >in Nanjing by the Japanese. That's the puzzlement.

No that's pure hogwash. Neither Ane nor anyone in cabinet believe "Japan was not defeated in WWII" and only a few non-government related right wing believe there was "no" massacre at Nanking. Although the numbers that China uses are unsubstantiated and inflated.

-16 ( +6 / -22 )

only a few non-government related right wing believe there was "no" massacre at Nanking.

That claim is hogwash. The majority of Japanese believe Nanking had no massacre.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Well... one more time China is playing hard to get public attention by using her propaganda against Japan. It would be much easier to focus on her own citizens problems, but instead of doing that, China prefer to make trouble with her neighbors Japan, The Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

I'm surprised that JT has not reported on Chinese-American Gary Locke who has just left his post as U.S. ambassador to China. This has a direct bearing on the situation unfolding between Japan and China.

After Locke's parting speech where he asserted that China needs to cool tensions with Japan, China's state run news agency called him a banana ("yellow on the outside, white on the inside"), adding that "after a while, a banana will inevitably start to rot."

Locke is the former governor of Washington State, is otherwise very well respected at home, and comes with superb credentials for the post of Ambassador.

Here is the story from the Seattle PI: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/China-attacks-taunts-Ambassador-Gary-Locke-calls-5277106.php

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Chucky.

And your proof is as where? Even the j government agrees that it happen but disputes the Chinese victim figure which is more than double what overseas historians think is plausible.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

For those that wonder about the timing of the commemoration of the Nanking massacre and why not sooner.....surely it's not hard to see that if some high level people with ties to the current Japanese government weren't trying to suddenly deny it happened, the Chinese government wouldn't be taking the stance with the commemoration that they are now. The previous Japanese Japanese governments have done a reasonable job of managing affairs with China and SK. It's a petty that the current Japanese government appears to be set on a head long course of undoing that good work. Bertiewooster:

"Um. Might it have something to do with Abe's ultra right wing activities, such as the "Secrecy bill," denial of history and return to militarism?" You raise some good points. The concern with the "Secrecy Bill" is Taro Aso's comments about "being able to learn a thing or two from Nazi Germany about constitutional reform". If you haven't already, read this, http://thediplomat.com/2013/08/taro-aso-on-japanese-constitutional-reform-learn-from-the-nazis/ Here is one Quote from Taro Aso “The German Weimar Constitution changed, without being noticed, to the Nazi German constitution. Why don’t we learn from their tactics?”

1 ( +8 / -7 )

I can’t deny there is a question why they have to set up these commemoration days more than 60 years after the war,” he said. “But this is a domestic matter for China, so the government declines to comment on it."

Well said, Japan believes that what Communist China does within their boarders is their business, too bad Communist China can't respect other nations. This is the difference between a good neighbor and a bad one.

Now, anyone that doesn't have an agenda sees right through this latest ploy by Communist China. Those that have an agenda are using this to try and hammer their skewed opinions home.

But, as I have always said, keep speaking it's your right.

That's the great thing about living in a nation that respects human rights, you have the right to speak your mind.

Now, if you live in a Communist Controlled state, the only opinion that is allowed to be spoken is the one that the Propaganda Department has approved.

-9 ( +7 / -16 )

Does it matter if it was 300,000 or 150,000 ?! No it does not!! Fact is it was and is and always will be a disgusting stain on the history of Japan.. We can argue numbers till we're blue in the face.. Doesn't change the fact!!

"But but" please save the excuses!!

7 ( +13 / -6 )

"Japan says it is puzzled by new China WWII national days"

Nothing to be puzzled about.

Take the time to reflect your actions, killing the victims of Nanjing twice, with vicious lies, then you will understand.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

"Japan’s official position, one that has been repeatedly endorsed by successive governments, is that it inflicted grievous harm on the populations of countries it invaded, and has offered numerous apologies.

However, comments by senior right wing figures—including those with close connections to Abe—on the veracity of events like the Nanjing Massacre regularly undermine that stance."

And here is the crux of the problem. Fire these nitwits alraedy!

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Well isn't that convenient:

First they poke a bear with a stick by denying specific wartime atrocities, then throw their hands up and - vaguely - say, 'What us? We stand by Japan's historical acceptance of its role in the war.'

Well, Abe-kun, which is it?

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Exactly right. And typical. First the crime. Then the denial and counter blame. Then, "We are very surprised." Japan has Northern Territories Day, Takeshima Day, Yasukuni Visits, and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembrance days in which Japan plays the (bogus) victim. Why should the Chinese not have days of remembrance as well?

3 ( +9 / -6 )

The majority of Japanese believe Nanking had no massacre.

Chucky@I have never seen a survey in which this question is asked. If you go to this link:

http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/8025072.html

you can see that Japanese posters debating the issue among themselves couldn't find a survey from which to cite either. So can you help us out here with a reliable source? Thanks in advance.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

They did it, chinese remember it. Right wingers denie it, to what end this repetion? Is the problem that none of these countries "liberated" from western occupation want to once again be under the Japanese imperial yoke?is that what smarts these old men? Or do they crave being the boss raping and be heading all insundrury.? Maybe it's a cultural thing I've missed, Japanese men might lust for the sexual and violent power over non Japanese, might denie it but it's obviously something they feel strongly enough to suppers at every turn. It's hurtful somehow that countries invaded ,violated now wish a day to remember the barbaric actions carried out by genetically similar people.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

FightingViking: "When I said the same thing I got thumbed down no less than 10 times (maybe even more... I haven't checked) but I, and a few others, thumbed you up."

I'd say it's ironic that the people who thumb you down for such things do so simply because of their hatred for China and the fact that you can admit that both parties are acting childish and/or hateful, but it's less ironic than it is simply hypocritical -- these are the same people who will call you a J-basher if you don't absolutely praise Japan while dissing China and/or SK.

It's also sad when said people insist you 'move on' and 'forget about it' while on their way to the Hiroshima Peace Park or Yasukuni or somewhere that remembers what happened.

As I said, Japan should not at all be 'confused' by or find this 'bizarre', because they helped give China an excuse to do it. I mean, really... Abe wants to rescind apologies, denies sex-slaves were forced into doing anything (after denying originally the IJA were involved with them at all, plays down Nanjing, increases military spending, declares Senkaku a non-issue, visits Yasukuni in response to China not coming to the table for talks on said 'non-issue', etc. etc. etc.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

I think Japan should build a memorial to the 70 million Chinese people killed by Mao Tse-tung.

That would puzzle China.

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

The Chinese government is childish and needs an arse kicking.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

It's obvious China is using the 'atrocity card' in order to garner world wide support in its anti Japan crusade.

When all else fails, when the Chinese government doesn't have a lick of legitimacy to any of its claims against Japan including the ridiculous islands issue, then it resorts to its 'tried and true' gimmick of past atrocities and WW2 in order to demonize Japan.

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

I have criticized China very often on this site. However, this time it is the Japanese government that should mind its own business. The Chinese can celebrate or create any domestic holidays or commemerations they would like to. I am honestly puzzled as to why this would puzzle the Japanese government when the Japanese government rightly commemorates events such as the bombings at Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Mitsuo MatsuyamaMar. 01, 2014 - ...make trouble with her neighbors Japan, The Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

I don't think you could say anything for other countries, especially Taiwan. For this case, I think Japan's the one in bad side!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

These commemoration days don't really mean much. Again, the CCP is just trying to survive by creating issues in order to motivate some of their citizens and sidetrack them. Some in China are becoming richer but the country is still quite poor on a per capita basis (just $6,800 per year which is 84th in the world) even though their economy is number two in the world. There are still hundreds of millions of people in rural areas who are wondering how it can be fair that their urban counterparts are enriching themselves. Doesn't exactly sound like communism, does it? But they were taught that everyone is looked after by the government. Any future clashes may well start inside China as people there learn more and more about the truth of the current situation, not clashes with Japan based on memories of 70-80 years ago.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

I am puzzled by this.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I notice the Pro Chinese brigade is out in full force today, and why does what china do in side its own calendar inside its own borders even rate a mention, are the people involved with JT using it to further and promote their own agenda again ?

China should really be getting a lot less real estate space on this news site than it does.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

These commemoration days don't really mean much. Again, the CCP is just trying to survive by creating issues in order to motivate some of their citizens and sidetrack them.

Mate, you sound so insecure. What does commemoration day has to do with how much people earn in China ? Are you trying to make the point to belittle the Chinese as you think Japanese earn more money than them that make you feel superior like imperial japan ??? than ok think as your please... but I don't get your point how it relates to commemorations ? With the Abe led Japanese government which tries to debunk every war atrocities committed and cover up the shame, China has every right to voice their discontent about the Japanese government try to cover up these atrocities. Public opinion don't agree with your views or the views of Abe, and the longer Abe and people like you keep up the denies the more damage you will have on Japan Government on the wider international audience. I for one have an objective view that it's the opinion of the Japanese government that is destroying the image of the majority of Japanese people who built the great image what Japan is today.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

lighter

I am very insecure. But the point was that China is basically stirring up old memories at a time when China, Japan and Korea all need to move on. The important point about earnings is that although the average wage is $6,800 a year, most earn very little but a growing upper class is earning too much too quickly. This is creating major problems within China so the government is trying to shift their people's minds to other issues in order to 'control' her people and one way is to stir up anti-Japanese rhetoric. That is basically what is happening. Try and see the big picture.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

I notice the Pro Chinese brigade is out in full force today

FYI, I only started looking into this issue when Australian newspapers in public opinion started to look into to this agenda and mind you that it made it into the top 5 most read articles and for Japan, it's not looking good. Pro China I think not.. just common sense and an sense of injustice I had to speak out, like what my mates says here "own up or shut up". If the Japanese Government could of just left it as it is with the sincere apology and stop recalling apologies then yeah I'll give a good pat on the back and respect for the courage to admit what was wrong. Give me a good reason why I or others should support your views ? as I'm baffled

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Puzzled? Japan is a puzzle unto itself. The denial of its war time atrocities and the attempts at covering up and changing history in school books. What kind of a bizarre society is this. It won't be miss when its insularity brings about its extinction.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

youth that is gradually getting more resentful towards CCP rule.

but not as much growing resent as they are to Abe's rule.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

So can you help us out here with a reliable source?

No of course he can't. There are no such sources. But apparently its OK for chucky to keep on making ludicrous claims. The smart people see through his little charade though.

I'd say it's ironic that the people who thumb you down for such things do so simply because of their hatred for China.

This is gold coming from you smith. You probably spend your whole weekend thumbing down anyone who has a nice word to say about Japan. Talk about irony.

However, this time it is the Japanese government that should mind its own business.

ffs that's exactly what they're doing. Have you even read the article, or just posting your usual?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

You know what I'm puzzled about? It's how some people use the "Chinese economy is in trouble, therefore the government needs to divert the people's attentions by spatting with Japan" argument. Although there is some truth to that, you can definitely make a better argument with the situation in Japan's economy. The combined situations of Japan's debt is give or take 300% of their GDP, that they just had the largest deficit the country has ever seen, the fact the Abenomics is not really working and etc. It's more likely that Abe may be the one who desperately needs to divert his people's attentions to other things by spatting with China, Korea, and possibly others.

The CCP doesn't even need to try to create propaganda against Japan. Abe's administration is doing a great job at that already. The CCP just simply needs to broadcast some recently made public announcements by the ruling LDP and their cronies, and presto!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

and stop recalling apologies

If you're as new to this topic as you claim to be "mate", you might want to do some research before posting. Japan has "recalled" zero apologies - therefore there is nothing to "stop". They have made dozens, and still the commies keep complaining. They wish to control events inside Japan, have editorial control over Japanese textbooks and curtail the freedom of religion inside Japan.

In short, they wish Japan would become as nasty as PRC.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

They have made dozens, and still the commies keep complaining.

I feel sad for you.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@yosun

Why do you think Japan is the bad side? Nobody in Japan want to face a battle but have peaceful relations with her neighbors. While China is making trouble with her neighbors by invading islands that belongs to other nations, encouraging her citizens to hate Japan, and increasing threaten against her neighbors; Japan is not invading islands or encouraging her citizens to hate other nations. What you said doesn't make any sense.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

It looks like all Japan's chickens are coming home to roost, 70 years late. What comes around, goes around.

Very bad karma caused by Japan many years ago was so bad that it lingers deeply; Japan should not sit around being 'puzzled' act now! Show sincere remorse and compassion for the victims of the war outside Japan and do it now, before it's too late and the 'hate' and anger just grows. And no China and Korea are clearly not going to just 'forgive' and 'forget'.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Meanwhile, Tokyo said it was pressing ahead with a controversial plan to re-examine evidence on which a 1993 apology for the system of wartime sex slavery was based, an issue that provokes particularly strong feelings in South Korea.

Dumbass government. I so want to kick your @rses, I really do. Japan is so in the right with its response to Chinese aggression, but it's digging a big hole for itself and going to lose sympathy when it goes ahead with this.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

While extreme right wing nutcase politicians continue to hanker for the good old days of Imperial Japan, continue to deny the past, continue to whitewash the history books they teach Japanese children, continue to rewrite history and deny the Nanjing Massacre, and continue to visit the Yasukuni Shrine of Hate to worship war criminals and the deluded young men they forced to become suicide bombers, then they can expect nothing but antagonism from their neighbours, whom they so viciously brutalised before and during World War II.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@shimo

he LDP was democratically elected

That's debatable.

You're right about CCP being insecure and authoritarian. Japan going up against them and aggregating them is a very bad idea indeed.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

SmithinJapan

"It's also sad when said people insist you 'move on' and 'forget about it' while on their way to the Hiroshima Peace Park or Yasukuni or somewhere that remembers what happened. "

If China is using commemoration of Nanjing Massacre to rise hated toward Japan or anti-Japan feeling among its people, then I see difference between commemoration of China and especially Hiroshima peace park. Most of the Japanese people attending Hiroshima Peace Memorial ceremony is not having hate toward the US but they seem to be genuinely praying for peace that these things would never happen again, and the ceremony's purpose is to pray for peace. I think it is a good thing to do that.

If China is using commemoration just to pray for peace and not to increase hated toward Japan, to pray these things never happen again, then there won't be much difference as you say. Even controversial Yasukuni, I feel many people who visit Yasukuni do not have hatred toward the US today, even though some people who visits there are holding views that tend to put more blame on the US for WWII.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

0

igloobuyer

@shimo

The LDP was democratically elected

That's debatable.

No it's not. That's just hysteria. I don't much like Abe but he WAS democratically elected.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What China does in it's own country is none of Japan's business.... and vice versa. What Japan does and says in it's own country, say visit Yasukuni Shrine, revise the arms ban, re-arm it's SDF, is surely none of China's business, so China should stay out of those as well.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

But this is a domestic matter for China, so the government declines to comment on it.

This is the attitude Japan should take in response to most of the proclamations from China and South Korea. Elevating every issue such this to diplomatic status only serves to encourage the two countries to continue to "tweak Japan's nose". Knowing that by making such comments it'll get a rise out of the Japanese Government.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Back when I was a computer engineering manager in Silicon Valley, and was collaborating with Japanese firms, whenever my counterparts said they were "puzzled" what it really meant was "we think that's wrong". No one in the Japanese government is puzzled by this. Like, they're sitting around, heads tilted, scratching their pates, and going "Hehhh?" Not.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites