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S Korea says Japan must heal wounds of wartime excesses

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The biggest problem I see, and I agree with SK and other Asian nations in their belief that any apologies from Japan are pretty much meaningless, is because after the fact the Japanese government refuses to teach the subject in school and is continually wanting to revise their own history to cover the Japanese aggression from generations of kids who do not know their own history and are truly amazed at the hostility shown Japan by mostly China and SK.

Actions speak louder than words Japan. Make it right, make it fast.

3 ( +21 / -18 )

@Yubaru

"the Japanese government refuses to teach the subject in school"

Really ? So American kids spend hundreds of hours studying horrible things American solders did in Vietnam, the unnecessary second a-bombing in Nagasaki, how they treated black people and native Americans in the past ?

Or do Chinese kids study thoroughly how great their country is when it comes to treating their own people in a humane way?

Japan committed war crimes, we can never undo it. The government apologized and gave them compensation already. This will never end. There is no point in dealing with the same thing over and over, just because they have a new president

7 ( +27 / -20 )

Japan committed war crimes, we can never undo it. The government apologized and gave them compensation already.

A big part of the problem is that there are politicians like Shinzo Abe, and seemingly a lot of people who voted for them, who do not think there has ever been any need for apologies and therefore want to retract them. I wonder when he's going to ask for the compensation money back as well.

4 ( +16 / -12 )

Well, Japan did apologize, but continuously backtracks and appeases domestic right wingers. On the other hand, South Korea and China continuously use the war issue for their own domestic political purposes and it's a safe bet they won't let the issue rest. So that's my opinion in a nutshell, nobody here is blameless for the current situation.

15 ( +20 / -5 )

It is just not true that "hundreds of thousands of South Koreans used as sexual slaves." The first step is for South Korea to stop exaggerating. The number of Koreans forced into sexual slavery was less than 10 000.

4 ( +15 / -10 )

Japan committed war crimes, we can never undo it. The government apologized and gave them compensation already. This will never end.

Ask the average Japanese citizen about what the apologies are for and they won't know. Ask an American about the internment of Japanese citizens and most will know and will know that the government has apologized. An apology without stating what you did wrong is not an apology and that is the crux of it. Japan is too ashamed and weak to say itself what exactly it did wrong. It has simply waited for the old people to die off so they can rewrite history into something more palatable.

Really ? So American kids spend hundreds of hours studying horrible things American solders did in Vietnam, the unnecessary second a-bombing in Nagasaki, how they treated black people and native Americans in the past ?

Civil war is taught in all schools and black history month highlights the civil writes struggle. MLK day is another day of rememberance.

Where is Japan's "comfort women" day? NHK did a documentary on the subject with interviews from former sex slaves and the Japanese government shut it down days before the broadcast due to protests from LDP politicians. Ever see the US government shut down a broadcast of "Roots"? Hide, that is why the apologies are worthless cause there is no substance behind them.

70 years later and Japan has no close allies apart from the allied axis that dropped nuclear bombs on them, if they were so upset about it why are they still spending billions on supporting the US military and not mending fences with their neighbors? Answer: cause of shame and lack of leadership with moral backbone.

7 ( +18 / -11 )

"The number of Koreans forced into sexual slavery was less than 10 000."

The number of Koreans forced into sexual slavery by their parents, deceptive practice by Korean operators, or economic hardship was less than 10,000.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

@spudmanreincarnated This has nothing to do with the US but since you brought up the topic your wonderful government has yet to pay restitution to the United Empire Loyalists who have been waiting for more than 200 years for payments agreed to under the Jay Treaty. Back to the topic; South Korea is the pot calling the kettle black as they refuse to even acknowledge the crimes committed in Vietnam nor pay any compensation to the thousands of woman raped by Koreans. The subject is not taught in Korean schools and even bringing up the topic in Korea results in bringing out the hard core right wing nutters.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Ask the average Japanese citizen about what the apologies are for and they won't know. Ask an American about the internment of Japanese citizens and most will know and will know that the government has apologized

Internment of Japanese citizens?? Lol.

-1 ( +12 / -13 )

If you ask for an apology be ready to forgive. If not don't go asking. The other guy will always come short.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Internment of Japanese citizens?? Lol.

Japanese Americans were citizens of the US. Ha ha.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Japanese Americans were citizens of the US. Ha ha.

Wow. A government apologizing to her own citizens. That's like a landmark world event!!! (sarcasm)

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

@spudmanreincarnated This has nothing to do with the US but since you brought up the topic your wonderful government has yet to pay restitution to the United Empire Loyalists who have been waiting for more than 200 years for payments agreed to under the Jay Treaty.

I'm not American, you fail. And the Jay treaty is topical where and when? Haven't read about it lately in the news. Are you an apologist for Japanese non apologies?

1 ( +9 / -8 )

We can understand their emotional behavior and sentiment for the first time when we realize their national prides were wounded so deeply in the past. They kept quiet when Japanese economy overwhelmed them but now they are raising voices as they see Japan is sinking and they are rising.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

@Hide Spudman beat me to it. There has always been a sense of sweeping unpleasant facts under the carpet by the government when it comes to facing history. The LDP has intervened on more than one occasion to block TV shows ( including an examination of Hirohito's knowledge and complicity in war crimes ). Abe is following a different strategy by obfuscations regarding sex slaves, hoping to obscure accepted historical facts.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

About a year ago, two Japanese goverment officials visited Palisades Park, New Jersey, and they wanted local administrators to remove a small monument from a public park. The monument, a brass plaque on a block of stone, was dedicated in 2010 to the memory of so-called comfort women, tens of thousands of women and girls, many Korean and Chinese, who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers during WWII. The Japanese authorities wanted Korean memorial removed. The consul general said the Japanese government was willing to plant cherry trees, donate books to the public library and do some things to show that we’re united in this world and not divided. But the offer was contingent on the memorial’s removal. The town officials rejected the request, and the delegation left.

The second delegation arrived few weeks later with four Japanese goverment reps. Their approach was less diplomatic. These Japanese politicians, tried and asked that the monument be removed, to convince the Palisades Park authorities that comfort women had never been forcibly conscripted as sex slaves. These Japanese goverment reps said that the comfort women were a lie, that they were set up by an outside agency, that they were women who were paid to come and take care of the troops. Downplaying of history still continues.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Enough. It's time for Asia's Austria to start accepting the massive role that they played in supporting Japan's colonial expansion and wartime aggression. From the war criminals (pardoned by the SK government in 2006) to the pimps and hustlers to the tens of thousands of military volunteers and further tens of thousands who moved throughout Japanese territory to enjoy the economic benefits of colonialism - stand up, South Korea. How many more years will you carry the lie of helpless bleating victim?

South Korea was Japan's willing partner in crime for the first half of the 20th century. Japan has apologized enough - now it's your turn.

9 ( +16 / -5 )

The Japanese culture does shame, but not guilt.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Un..comfort women consisted of not only Chinese and Korean but also many Japanese and women from other countries. After the world war II, some women who had no way to live continued working for u.s. troops. Everytime I heard Korean comfort women news, I feel uneasy if the women from other nations including Japan and the history after ww II might have been forgotten.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Hide Suzuki: "Japan committed war crimes, we can never undo it. The government apologized and gave them compensation already. This will never end. There is no point in dealing with the same thing over and over, just because they have a new president"

When you apologize and don't mean it -- and worse yet want to retract it -- it's not an apology and YES you do have to do it over and over if you ACTUALLY want to move forward. Japan needs to give an honest, official apology that includes the issue of sex slaves, and vow they will not repeat the past. No one is blaming the people in the present for what happened back then, but the government has the responsibility to acknowledge and atone for the wrongdoings of past government. Other nations do it, I don't see why Japan is incapable of it.

And you kind of miss an integral problem with your argument: you say Japan apologized already? when? the apology Abe wants to retract? What line are you guys going to use then?

Proxy: "@spudmanreincarnated This has nothing to do with the US but since you brought up the topic..."

Actually, it was Hide Suzuki who brought it up. spudman was answering his question.

"Back to the topic; South Korea is the pot calling the kettle black as they refuse to even acknowledge the crimes committed in Vietnam nor pay any compensation to the thousands of woman raped by Koreans. The subject is not taught in Korean schools and even bringing up the topic in Korea results in bringing out the hard core right wing nutters."

Where do you guys make up these numbers? And why no stats to back them up? More importantly, why do you insist Japan shouldn't apologize for its war time atrocities because other nations have not apologized for something completely unrelated? Do you think the two wrongs cancel each other out?

-6 ( +11 / -18 )

How about this s.k. Make up with the North. Do not judge someone until you yourself is clean. Japan has appologised. Time to move on.

5 ( +13 / -7 )

S Korea says Japan must heal wounds of wartime excesses

Sadly, I think the situation is the other way around. S Korea must get over it and move on because Japan has apologised many times. What exactly do they want? A liter of blood from every first born Japanese kid for the next fifty years?

However, I do share their sentiments and fears of the new LDP government with Ishihara and Hashimoto pulling Abe's puppet strings. These cronies are not gonna do much towards any sort of bi-lateral agreements or any sort of easing of the tension throughout Asia.

0 ( +6 / -5 )

@mikihouseJan.

If you ask for an apology be ready to forgive. If not don't go asking. The other guy will always come short.

Bravo! Its a wonder the socialists and communist sympathizers on this board never ever want to talk about the fact that apologizing requires forgiveness in order for the act to be made whole.

There can be no doubt that Japan has apologized time and again. Clearly its the forgiveness part of the formula that is lacking. Until communist china and ROK grow up and step into the 21st century there's no point listening to anything further they have to say on this topic.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

hidingout: "There can be no doubt that Japan has apologized time and again."

What there can be no doubt about is that they want to attract the only official apology they have on record, and that the wingers don't believe any apologies should have been made at all. When that apology is rescinded, what are you guys going to fall back on?

"Its a wonder the socialists and communist sympathizers on this board..."

Once again, credibility out the window.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Readers, please keep the discussion civil and do not be intolerant of opposing viewpoints.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I can imagine in 100 years time South Korea and China demanding a apology for the war from our great great grandchildren.

How many more statements must we make? Its about time these countries give it a rest. You don't see Poland, France etc demanding an apology from Germany.

2 ( +10 / -7 )

It is too easy to solve the problem. Just don't allow people to visit YASUKUNI lol...

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Where do you guys make up these numbers? And why no stats to back them up? More importantly, why do you insist Japan shouldn't apologize for its war time atrocities because other nations have not apologized for something completely unrelated? Do you think the two wrongs cancel each other out?

Too many rhetorical questions. I notice you like to ask for proof, yet provide none of your own. Figures.

2 ( +8 / -5 )

So American kids spend hundreds of hours studying horrible things American solders did in Vietnam, the unnecessary second a-bombing in Nagasaki, how they treated black people and native Americans in the past ?

Actually, turning a critical eye to some of the darker periods in US history is more common in US history classrooms than you might think. Most good history teachers in the US don't sugarcoat and make sure that the bad is taught alongside the good.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

KariHaruki: "How many more statements must we make? Its about time these countries give it a rest. You don't see Poland, France etc demanding an apology from Germany."

Germany apologizes constantly, and doesn't white-wash it's text books and pretend they never did anything wrong. They often visit Auschwitz and place wreaths in memory, while in Japan politicians deny history, white-wash the history books, rescind apologies, and visit a shrine which honours war criminals. You don't see any difference?

genjuro: "Too many rhetorical questions. I notice you like to ask for proof, yet provide none of your own. Figures."

I don't provide stats for my questions to others? I have provided plenty of stats when I state something, unlike the wingers who say, "There were only 10,000 -- I just KNOW it!" And how are the questions rhetorical?

-5 ( +6 / -12 )

hokkaidoguy: "How many more years will you carry the lie of helpless bleating victim?"

Are you seriously asking this question in defense of the country that thinks it's the world's worst victim? Sorry, bud, but saying South Korea willingly engaged in and wanted its colonization is just wrong, not to mention completely off the wall.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

hokkaidoguy: "South Korea was Japan's willing partner in crime for the first half of the 20th century"

Unbelievable...

5 ( +9 / -4 )

...this is distinctly a problem for the oldest-blood generation who are still constantly nagging about this--nobody born after 1980 knows or cares too much about this. Really. Nobody. Gives. Two...you can fill in the rest. Something that's undermines all this political posturing is that we, those who grew up being force-fed this propaganda to hate each other, is realizing how used* and being lied to by our elders has been. About everything.

Everybody should die off and take this beef with them, because it's not interesting.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

@Hide Suzuki.....ah where to start.

Really ? So American kids spend hundreds of hours studying horrible things American solders did in Vietnam, the unnecessary second a-bombing in Nagasaki, how they treated black people and native Americans in the past ?

First off why exaggerate? I never commented about the number of hours you are, my point is that in Japanese ES, JHS, and HS the subject is glossed over AND Japan is made to look like the victim because of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You know why Germany gets along so well with it's neighbors while Japan can't? Look at how they teach WWII in schools and in their LAWS as well. Japan could do well to copy that and move forward. Compensation and token apologies mean nothing when politicians of today want to revise the history.

Japan committed war crimes, we can never undo it. The government apologized and gave them compensation already. This will never end. There is no point in dealing with the same thing over and over, just because they have a new president

Ok you know it, BUT the average JHS, HS, or Uni student knows next to nothing about the Japanese war crimes. Ever wonder why? It's because it's not a subject taught in school.

I had one Japanese history teacher tell me point blank; "We don't spend much time at all on WWII BECAUSE Japan has thousands of years of history and WWII is just a tiny drop in the bucket in comparison"

Think about that; which is more important TODAY learning about Heian Era, or why Korea, China, and other Asian countries have animosity and hatred for Japan TODAY. Quit trying to gloss it over, sure learning about ancient history is important, but living today and understanding one's place in the world and more recent history is more important.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

@smith......Here is a HUGE part of the problem, and one that Japanese like to throw out as why they are right and everyone else is wrong; "Our version of history is right, everyone else's is wrong".

Read some real one's? I know, you know, but tell it to MEXT and the folks that write the Japanese one's.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

smithinjapan:Are you seriously asking this question in defense of the country that thinks it's the world's worst victim? Sorry, bud, but saying South Korea willingly engaged in and wanted its colonization is just wrong, not to mention completely off the wall.

No, I'm seriously asking this question in defense of the people who suffered at the hands of Korean POW camp guards, who have since been pardoned for their actions despite being convicted by the Allies at the end of the war.

You may be focusing on Japan, but I'm not.

Koreans have been in complete denial of their own behavior from about 1870 to 1990. Hundreds of thousands of Koreans were absolutely willing participants in not only Japan's crimes but the crimes of their own government(s) in that time. Many people here tend to focus on what is and isn't taught in Japanese schools; my question is: why aren't the atrocities of Koreans taught in Korean schools? Why do they choose to paint Japan as the sole cause of all their social ills and completely ignore those of their own making?

In short, of all the nations in the world who were once colonies, why do South Koreans alone feel they are entirely blameless for their own actions?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

hokkaidoguy: "why aren't the atrocities of Koreans taught in Korean schools? "

So two wrongs make a right? And yes, you're choosing to deflect and focus on other nations on an article, on JAPAN TODAY, which is about what was addressed to the special Japan envoy on what Japan must do to make amends. Says a lot about you.

"In short, of all the nations in the world who were once colonies, why do South Koreans alone feel they are entirely blameless for their own actions?"

Unbelievable.... this in light of Japan wanting to take back an apology for the apologists.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Yubaru: "Read some real one's? I know, you know, but tell it to MEXT and the folks that write the Japanese one's."

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. As you and I both know (and many posters deny) Abe himself was responsible for the removal of the sex-slave issue before he quit being PM long ago (or wait... not that long), and even bragged about it. But his bragging, gaffes, and the fact that the US senate proved him wrong about Imperial troops being engaged in sexual slavery suddenly gave him a tummy ache and he had to quit. Only in Japan, and I mean that literally, would a guy like that get another chance. And it's only in Japan because so many wingers want to forget about what their grandparents did and blame it on everyone else. THIS is the reason, as we both know, why Japan must make proper amends. Let the wingers say everyone else has to do something else to try and deflect, but we all know what the truth is.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

"So two wrongs make a right"

Smith. In this case, hokkaidoguy is correct when in addition, "practice what you preach" is also applicable to Asia's Austria.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Germany apologizes constantly

I doubt that, but just suppose that they do. Is that something you are suggesting is a good thing? Some nations must live in a state of constant apology? Which ones and for events selected by whom? For how long must it continue?

Are you seriously asking this question in defense of the country that thinks it's the world's worst victim?

You keep making this statement as if it had any grounding in reality. itrw I have yet to meet a single Japanese person who claims to be a victim of history. "Oh poor me" is just not the way Japanese people think. I urge you to interact more with the culture you live in.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

And yes, you're choosing to deflect and focus on other nations on an article, on JAPAN TODAY, which is about what was addressed to the special Japan envoy on what Japan must do to make amends. Says a lot about you.

Actually, self-righteousness aside, given the relevant and intertwined histories of the countries involved in this endless game of "please say sorry one more time", I think it is very topical to question how reasonable it is for countries with their own hands dripping in blood to be demanding apologies for the atrocities of others. Over and over.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

hidingout: "I doubt that, but just suppose that they do. Is that something you are suggesting is a good thing? Some nations must live in a state of constant apology?"

They do it of their own volition, so yes it is a good thing. When you do it only because you're pressured to and it's insincere, and then you RETRACT it, it's NOT a good thing. That's why Japan will always be asked -- because they never offer sincere apologies.

"You keep making this statement as if it had any grounding in reality."

Read the textbooks. A few pages on how they committed atrocities, complete with "they helped maintain stability on the Korean peninsula" and then entire chapters on the atomic bombings and how much Japan suffered. You criticize something in this nation and they are immediately the victims when they can't reply back. You know it, whether or not you choose to acknowledge it.

nigelboy: "Smith. In this case, hokkaidoguy is correct when in addition, "practice what you preach" is also applicable to Asia's Austria."

"Asia's Austria?" Even if that lame coinage were true it would mean Japan would be apologizing in sincerity, not retracting a once semi-heartfelt apology. Japan is certainly not "Asia's Germany" in terms of making amends and showing contrition.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

"Asia's Austria?" Even if that lame coinage were true it

No smith. It would mean that Korea doesn't get to participate in the "Japan is bad" game. They would be sitting on the same side of the fence as Japan. As other posters have stated, I recommend you really study the history instead of the repeating and preaching whitewashed Korean version

1 ( +9 / -8 )

S Korea says Japan must heal wounds of wartime excesses

If Japan hasn't make a true effort at being contrite by now, it just isn't going to happen. It's a shame because Germany get's hardly any of the animosity that Japan still gets today.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The headline "S Korea says Japan must heal wounds of wartime excesses" in this case, "heal" is a euphemism for "give us more money."

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Readers, please stay on topic. Germany is not relevant to this discussion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is just a prelude of what will happen if and when the north unites with the south. South Korea will again come banging on Japan's door demanding compensation for the North.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The_PopeJan. 05, 2013 - 01:39PM JST : The headline "S Korea says Japan must heal wounds of wartime excesses" in this case, "heal" is a euphemism for "give us more money."

I believe most of japanese will not use these sort of words to insult themselves.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The compensation they are talking about are official compensation. Those were all turned down by China, Taiwan and Korea for political reasons, but it's not the same compensation the victims are talking about. The comfort women want civil compensation from civilian courts.

Either way the whole WW2 atrocity thing isn't about morals or apologies or whatnot, that's just naive outsiders who think they can think like Asians. It's 99% about ego and ethnic pride. The issues are just the tennis balls. I grew up in China and there wasn't even a fraction of the anti-Japanese sentiment today until the economy really got going. It's nationalism, and it's good. The gory details about massacres and rape are not important from a realpolitik standpoint.

If Japan's leaders had half a brain they'd know the way to solve this is by

doing nothing provocative wait until pride passes and feelings stabilize THEN make a decisive apology WITH COOPERATION from the Chinese/SK government so its accepted BEFOREHAND and publicized to the people in an accepting way so no one will say "it didn't count" or "it wasn't good enough" later down the road Express animosity against western liberal ideologies to show solidarity with real Asian values Not be a pathetic self hating liberal afterwards like Murayama because we would just think the apology came from a lone traitor, which isn't the normal opinion in any country

Pity their version of nationalism is the dumbed down, rigid old men who can't do anything right kind.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

This issue will be around as long as nationalistic politicians need to drum up hatred for their own political agendas.

KOREA - As a nation they have done extremely well over the last 30 year, however as long as Korea holds onto this issue like a dog with an old bone, the more we realise just how much national hatred is still inside. The have a huge chip on their shoulders when it comes to Japan, everyone but them can clearly see it. Despite their strong christian upbringings, they simply cannot see it in their hearts to forgive or let a lone forget. Why? because they simply do not want to, it's called hatred.

CHINA - The politicians in the Chinese Communist Party do not even care about most of the citizens in China today, let alone those from 75 years ago. They are corrupt, self serving and only interested in political or monetary gain. They only do what suits their own best interested and those of their extremely rich children living in the USA or Europe.

JAPAN - As long those idiotic right wing Politicians continue to make the odd brainless statement, it will continually provide both Korea and China ammunition to continue on with this argument ... forever.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Moderator: Please remove my other post. NOT THIS ONE. Thanks

1 ( +5 / -4 )

wait until pride passes and feelings stabilize

And how long is that going to be? It's been nearly 70 years since the war ended, 50 years since official compensation and treaties were signed, 20 plus years since Murayama made his statement and going forward the politicians of today are taking us back in time.

Japanese politicians need a slap upside their heads.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The compensation they are talking about are official compensation. Those were all turned down by China, Taiwan and Korea for political reasons, but it's not the same compensation the victims are talking about. The comfort women want civil compensation from civilian courts.

Let's not forget that there was a quasi-government funded organization that was set up to handle any civil claims. Many if not most of the women that were eligible to receive funds refused them on the grounds that they wanted an official government apology and not money.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Despite their strong christian upbringings, they simply cannot see it in their hearts to forgive or let a lone forget. Why? because they simply do not want to, it's called hatred.

Korea is not a Christian country.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

YubaruJAN. 05, 2013 - 04:26PM JST Korea is not a Christian country.

A very large percentage of Koreans hold strong christian values.

Seoul contains 11 of the world's 12 largest Christian congregations.

Why? ... who knows

5 ( +6 / -1 )

YubaruJAN. 05, 2013 - 12:12PM JST >Think about that; which is more important TODAY learning about Heian Era, or why Korea, China, and other Asian countries have animosity and hatred for Japan TODAY

With the exception of happy Korea, I think you will find that most "asian" countries dislike and worry about China far more than they are concerned or dislike Japan.

Japan has been a model global citizen for the last 75 years, the same cannot be said about China and as far as aid and development is concerned, Japan has given far more to the international community than Korea and China combined.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

SamuraiBlueJAN. 05, 2013 - 02:21PM JST This is just a prelude of what will happen if and when the north unites with the south. South Korea will again come banging on Japan's door demanding compensation for the North.

Yes, but all the Koreans currently living in Japan who complain about how terrible Japan and the Japanese are will still refuse to go back to Korea.

Why is that I wonder?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

hokkaidoguyJAN. 05, 2013 - 09:34AM JST South Korea was Japan's willing partner in crime for the first half of the 20th century. Japan has apologized enough - now it's your turn.

Actually this is factually correct. The large majority of Japanese Military that ran the infamous prison camps were actually KOREANS who had joined and served of their own free will.

Stories and recorded accounts from Allied POW's from Outram Road, Changi, Burma etc recounted the absolute cruelty dealt to them by Korean guards. According to recorded deaths, they were the worst by far.

YES - Korea may have "forgiven them" but has Korea ever APOLOGISED for the 10,000's of allied prisoners that their nationals murdered during the second world war?

I think not.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

nigelboy: "No smith. It would mean that Korea doesn't get to participate in the "Japan is bad" game. They would be sitting on the same side of the fence as Japan"

Nice attempt at cherry-picking. You still didn't answer the question that if South Korea is suddenly "Asia's Austria" what does that make Japan? Asia's Germany? So then you admit they have committed atrocities and should show contrition as Germany has.

You don't realize how badly you defeat your own arguments.

"As other posters have stated, I recommend you really study the history instead of the repeating and preaching whitewashed Korean version"

Says the guy who can only preach the white-washed Japanese version and says it's not white-washed. We all know it is, so try to admit it.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

YES - Korea may have "forgiven them" but has Korea ever APOLOGISED for the 10,000's of allied prisoners that their nationals murdered during the second world war?

Tens of thousands? Allied prisoners killed? Sorry, where did this atrocity supposedly occur?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

JanesBlonde: "Actually this is factually correct. The large majority of Japanese Military that ran the infamous prison camps were actually KOREANS who had joined and served of their own free will."

And once again we have people blaming another nation for Japan's wrong doing, and suggesting Japan need not apologize or atone for its wrong doing because some other people also did wrong.

Pathetic.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Park is the daughter of military strongman Park Chung-hee who established diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1965 after more than a decade of tortured talks brokered by Washington, winning aid that helped his industrial drive that propelled South Korea from poverty to rich nation status.

Park's father was also in the Imperial Japanese Army and graduated 3rd in his class at the Japanese military academy....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Upgrayedd: "Park's father was also in the Imperial Japanese Army and graduated 3rd in his class at the Japanese military academy...."

So Park is her father? That's bad news for people like Abe, Aso, and most other politicians in this nation. Difference is that she is different, whereas the others are not that different from their war criminal relatives. In any case, it has nothing to do with the current topic and Japan's need to make amends.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

therein lies the quandary and indellible difference between jpn and germany when it comes to apology/reparation/resolution...

example: no way in hell would you find a german officer nazi(even if unconvicted) locked up a bit, then allowed to become the nations PM or leader

whereas in jpn, anything goes, rewriting textbooks, visiting yasukuni, screwing with apologies..

are japanese so incapable of contrition or do they really believe they are innately better than the rest of the world?...or maybe just asia

hubris must be in their curriculum

0 ( +3 / -3 )

cramp: "are japanese so incapable of contrition or do they really believe they are innately better than the rest of the world?...or maybe just asia"

Well, yes and no. I think Japan is more like the kid who knows s/he did something wrong and just keeps denying it, then eventually comes to the belief that they can make it disappear through continued denial. They then hide behind the legs of a bigger kid and wink while they decide to talk big.

This whole envoy trip was a joke to make Abe look better. SK is rightfully going to deny any Japanese claims to the South Korean territory of Dokdo, and Japan is going to deny they ever did anything wrong. When the envoy comes home and says no progress was made apologists and wingers will start blaming South Korea for Japan's war time atrocities, which we've seen plenty of on this thread, suggest there were no sex slaves but they were all well-paid volunteers (who didn't have any engagement with Imperial troops... but doh! they did! Oops!), Japan helped educate the Taiwanese, they maintained stability on the Korean Peninsula, Japanese reporters will talk about how the Bataan Death March couldn't have been that bad because they hiked it in comfort, they'll deny they killed 10,000,000 across Asia, etc. etc., and will love Abe all the more for feeding their heartless needs to believe the lies.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Yubaru: "Tens of thousands? Allied prisoners killed? Sorry, where did this atrocity supposedly occur?"

In his imagination, and the white-washing of textbooks. They aren't even good at hiding the lies any more. He'll probably quote from 2Channel, though.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

JanesBlonde: "Japan has given far more to the international community than Korea and China combined."

And yet they cannot even say they're sorry (which is likely the reason they throw money instead), or at least if they do someone tries to retract it. They can't pay their own debt, and can't help their own citizens. I'm not at all suggesting the other two nations you mention are saints, but they don't hide under the guise of throwing money they need the BOJ to buy bonds because they do not have. Japan had the largest debt per percentage of GDP out of any nation except Zimbabwe in 2011.

In any case, throwing money around instead of accepting responsibility is nothing to cheer about. A sincere apology and acknowledgement of the past would go a whole lot further than a few bucks and a kick in the teeth.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Yabaru " tens of thousands? Allied prisoners killed? Sorry, where did this atrocity supposedly occur?

They occurred in Burma, Malaya, Singapore, Sandakan, Papua New Guinea and the high Sea

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

This is all unbelievable. Korea keeps asking for the same thing over and over again. Why don't they just say they want $1 trillion won and be honest?

The article says that Seoul believes

"that reparations are not complete."

Don't you all know what this means? The same thing happened between Germany and Israel. Israel wanted more and more and it was not apologies that they cared about but the money.

The article also says

"winning aid that helped his industrial drive that propelled South Korea from poverty to rich nation status."

Where is the thank you from Korea?

If any further apologies are given it will be a matter of time when they say "How much?"

The only reason that the 1993 and 1995 apologies were not accepted is that it did not include enough money.

If I was PM I would give the best apology and include that there would be no money involved so I can call their bluff. These countries would not accept it.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Joseph: "The only reason that the 1993 and 1995 apologies were not accepted is that it did not include enough money."

No, it's that they lacked sincerity in their entirety, and I don't see too many apologies being rescinded by the current white-washers because none except one have been official. Now that's going to be taken away so you can no longer say Japan has ever apologized, can you?

"If I was PM I would give the best apology and include that there would be no money involved so I can call their bluff. These countries would not accept it."

I think you would find that if you went in thinking you were calling a bluff by apologizing they would not accept it indeed. If you went in genuinely sorry and did so, you might get results.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

@ Redcliff....did you read what I responded to? The accusation was that KOREANS massacred these people not Japanese imperial army.

Do me a favor and read the posts again.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

smithinjapan -- the apologies did not lack sincerity in their entirety. The main reason that it is going to be taken away is that it was never accepted fully and after all these years there is still talk about it. If no one said anything about it and the Koreans accepted it then there would have been forgiveness on both sides. The ball was in the Koreans court and they did not make the best use of this moment.

As I keep on saying it has nothing to do with the apology at all except that it is a political game and now that the Korean continent is all charged up the politicians have to show something. For the people the apology is something but for the governments that want the money they only care about getting reelected or support.

I personally would go in genuinely sorry and give the greatest apology that the world has ever seen. I just know that the snakes would be waiting to come back with money requests. I would fix up the relations between all these countries if it could be done without greediness. For me it would be a matter of getting past this history which has no relevance to the current society except for making people feel better who are stuck in the past.

Finally, it is not the call of other countries to ask someone to apologize. It is for that person or country to decide that on their own. This all sounds like children blaming other children for wrongs done when actually everyone has done a wrong. What was Jesus' words about telling the people to be the first to pick up the stone and throw it if you have not done any wrong. Same thing here. Jesus also spoke a lot about forgiveness.

Not to place this in a religious context, but just to use more wisdom than rough handedness.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

@Joseph....

It's more than just an apology or compensation. It's a territorial dispute, it's a group of people that no longer have a country to call their own because the country where their fathers, mother's, grandmother's and grandfather's no longer exist. It's because of a long standing distrust, and unwillingness to acknowledge history.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Joseph: "smithinjapan -- the apologies did not lack sincerity in their entirety."

You said, quite clearly, if you were PM would like to go in making an apology as a bluff. That's part of the problem.

"Finally, it is not the call of other countries to ask someone to apologize. It is for that person or country to decide that on their own."

And Japan never does, and are even trying to RESCIND an apology made by someone who actually seemed to mean it for a change.

"What was Jesus' words about telling the people to be the first to pick up the stone and throw it if you have not done any wrong. Same thing here. Jesus also spoke a lot about forgiveness."

Jesus spoke about a lot of things; I doubt massacre, rape, and sexual slavery were among them. I also doubt eyes down blabbering of words that were supposed to be apology while writing a cheque were among them either. I most certainly know that denying one's sins wasn't a big plus. Do you think people go to the confessional and try to play a bluff with the priest and with god, since you bring it up?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Yubaru

Yes it is also much more than that.

The simple truth is very bitter. Korea has been teaching their people to hate the Japanese since they were children. The textbooks promote hatred. Even some mention about how to kill Japanese or something of the sorts. The government has created this for the reason to control the people and to keep them unified. The amount of money given to Japan is not disclosed to the Koreans. Any of the positive things that Japan does for Korea like when they bailed them out is not promoted as virtues of Japan. The list goes on and on. The IMF will not bail out Korea next time nor likely will Japan. Korea is getting close to the economic level of Greece and they are in need of urgent money.

On a note of a recent hatred example: when the Fukushima earthquake happened there were many Koreans happy about this. Many Koreans were interviewed and showed their pleasure. People put up signs in Japanese showing how happy they were that such a terrible thing happend to Japan.

So the key is that if you can control the people by uniting them around some idea which in this case is hatred towards Japan, then you can have a unified people just like what the Nazis did to their people.

As these apologies go on and on the Japanese are becoming infuriated with this childish behavior. Actually the hatred towards Japan will never end as all of the Koreans are brain washed to hate Japan from such a young age.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Joseph: "On a note of a recent hatred example: when the Fukushima earthquake happened there were many Koreans happy about this."

This is downright insulting. South Korea donating the single-most amount of money next to Taiwan. You should be ashamed of yourself.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Joseph: "On a note of a recent hatred example: when the Fukushima earthquake happened there were many Koreans happy about this. "

Where's your proof, bud. This kind of insulting demands it. Show me the interviews showing their pleasure, and I'll be happy to give stats of them showing their bankbooks.

"As these apologies go on and on the Japanese are becoming infuriated with this childish behavior. "

Yeah, the unofficial and rescinded apologies, defended by apologists who are.... wait... childish.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

From what I have seen as I get to know other nations world knowledge is that selective historical teachings are the norm. Nations have pride and the horrible things that military personnel have done are embarrassing and damaging. Living in the horrific/negative past can hinder moving productively into the future. It's also human nature to forget the negative. It's important to know history but dwelling there will be so unproductive for any nation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nice attempt at cherry-picking. You still didn't answer the question that if South Korea is suddenly "Asia's Austria" what does that make Japan? Asia's Germany? So Nice attempt at cherry-picking. You still didn't answer the question that if South Korea is suddenly "Asia's Austria" what does that make Japan? Asia's Germany? So then you admit they have committed atrocities and should show contrition as Germany has. you admit they have committed atrocities and should show contrition as Germany has.

Where have you been smith for the past six years? It's always been about comparisons to Germany. Even though it's lame considering the fact that Germany has still unresolved post war issues namely in reparations (Greece, recently) and that settlements still allow Germany to retain assets in (Japan relinquished all assets per SF treaty) it's former occupied territory, the status of Austria and Korea are very much similar but you don't see the former asking for apologies and compensations to a point where they are the most vocal. In fact, the latter is also doing the apologizing business which is exactly what Korea should be doing.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

While neither Korea or China are innocent, this stuff falls under the category of "Japan, you reap what you sow"

End of story

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

And to those who think Koreans had FREEDOM & FREE WILL under Japanese rule.............................

Sorry your off your rockers!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

who wrote this article? Chinese? Korean? or an amateur of the Japanese history? Japan don't say it colonization. it was an annexation.England's literatures do not show the word colonization at all. only China and Korea says it was colonization.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

In fact, the latter is also doing the apologizing business which is exactly what Korea should be doing.

Change that to "former" instead of "latter".

To add, another reason why Korea keeps recycling this issue over and over again stems from their distorted government sanctioned history textbooks which does not mention the exact role the Koreans played part in the WW II.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

@ Redcliff....did you read what I responded to? The accusation was that KOREANS massacred these people not Japanese

In his imagination, and the white-washing of textbooks. They aren't even good at hiding the lies any more. He'll probably quote from 2Channel, though

Yubaru and smith. Redcliff is correct. The Koreans were in charge as prison guards in various parts of Asia. Many were convicted of war crimes and were executed. The more precise number is 12,300 Allied prisoners.

http://www.toyamav.net/~fc9/sPDF/75-8~9.pdf

2 ( +7 / -5 )

The contents of the Japan-ROK Basic Relations Treaty connected in 1965 were not told to the S Korean people.Therefore, S Korean people thought that Japanese people don't perform apology and compensation. korea wants to deny the pitiable themselves before Japanese annexation of Korea. they'll continue to use anti-japanese feeling for racial unity

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It seems that every year, South Korea always ask for the apology every single year. Now I started realizing back in 2006, over the years, japan went under many administration, including the 3-4 years under DPJ, now did all of them deny it, did some apologize? no matter how Japan act, South Korea always make this demand. And there were numerous apologies from numerous politicians throughout the latter half of the 20th Century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_War_Apology_Statements_Issued_by_Japan

South Korea seems to ignore the $364 Million USD Japan paid to ROK for all war damages, including the injury done to comfort women back in 1965, which South Korea said it was done. A Fact they kept secret from their people and use the money to build the nation. While over the years, ROK use the comfort women issue as a political tool and puts Japan in the spotlight.

in addition,"In 1994, the Japanese government set up the Asian Women's Fund to distribute additional compensation to South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. Each survivor was provided with a signed apology from the then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama, stating "As Prime Minister of Japan, I thus extend anew my most sincere apologies and remorse to all the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women."[61] The fund was dissolved on March 31, 2007." Some may say this is not the official stance of the Japanese govt, but due to the treaty signed by Japan and ROK in 1965, Japan had already officially apologize to ROK and this AWF are additional compensation.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Approximately 75 percent (3 out of 4) of Korean and Chinese comfort women died in WWII, and most survivors were left infertile due to sexual trauma or sexually-transmitted disease. The women cried out, but it didn't matter to Japanese soldiers whether the women lived or died. They were the emperor's soldiers. Whether in military brothels or in the villages, these soldiers raped without reluctance and beatings and physical torture were said to be common. In the “Comfort Station” many were systematically beaten and raped day and night. Even the Japanese doctor raped many of them each time he visited the brothel to examine us for venereal disease. Some were forced into slavery even when they were not old enough to have started menstruating. After the war, the court testimonies state that these prepubescent girls were repeatedly raped by Japanese soldiers while those who refused to comply were executed.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Downplaying this historical tragedy has been a long and well-known issue in Japan. In 2007, the J-goverment minister of education, Nakayama declared, "victimized women in Asia should be proud of being comfort women". This comment is hardly worth elaborating upon as it speaks for itself. What is worth pointing out is the brainwashing that began after WWII, when a defeated Japan was able to switch its position from that of aggressor to that of a victim. It is in part this attitude of victimization that has allowed Japan to downplay its atrocities throughout Asia, and which has inevitably led to the formation of many left wing individuals in Japan who are as unaware of their history as a patient afflicted by amnesia.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

As World War II intensified, Japanese government drafted Korean men for its war efforts. The number ranges anywhere between 300,000 to 1 million. They were mostly put in hard labor, usually in mines or factories. Quite a few of them were killed or injured in mines or factories with substandard (to put it nicely) labor conditions.

Japanese colonial government liberally tortured those who were arrested on the suspicion of independence movement for Korea. The most well-documented case is that of Yoo, Guan-soon, who was a 19-year-old student of Ewha School when she played a key role in organizing largest mass-protest against the Japanese rule. Yoo was arrested and died in prison The returned body of Yoo was in six pieces; her scalp was missing; her nose and ears had been cut off, and all of her finger and toenails were plucked off. Brutal suppression of independence movement was not limited to individuals. Japanese military police marched into a village known for its Christian-based independence movement. The police rounded up roughly 30 Christians in the village into the town church, locked the doors and set the building on fire. 22 died trapped in the building, and 8 were shot outside of the church as they tried to escape.

As World War II raged on, the Japanese military, directly and indirectly, rounded up between 100,000 and 200,000 women to be used sex slaves, euphemistically called “Comfort Women”, for the Japanese soldiers. These women were usually raped many many times a day. The women were mostly Korean and Chinese.

Unit 731 – this one is so incredibly depraved that the Korean can’t even go into describing it. They will only say that it was a secret medical unit of the Japanese military, conducting various human experiments. So, why do Koreans hate the Japanese?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@sfjp330

What is your point? Do you only recognize crimes committed by one country between only a well defined period of history? Or are you just as upset about the crimes the (white people) Dutch committed in Indonesia after WW2 and about crimes committed by Koreans in Vietnam, well after WW2? If you only aim your rage at Japan you are just a plain racist. Woman protest at the Dutch embassy in Indonesia asking for compensation but they cannot get any airtime anywhere. Indonesia had to actually pay the Dutch $1 billion dollars for them to stop committing crimes and go home. There are thousands, yes thousands, of woman in Vietnam who were raped by South Koreans and South Korea refuses to pay any penalty. The official Korean policy is to make amends by giving developmental aid to the government of Vietnam.

Where is your outrage?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just reading some of the comments here make me shake my head in pity. Japan is incorrigible.

Many Koreans have already given up on Japan. The Japanese are just fixed on their own version of history. They are conservative, value tradition, and won't change. They're the only ones in the world who won't buy Samsung products or watch the "Gangnam Style" video. Japan is truly "UNIQUE" (sarcasm).

So many Koreans just think, "Let Japan slowly rot."

However, the concern is that a bad economy in Japan will lead to a rise in military spending and militarism. And the US will likely support military buildup in Japan (because of the threat of China).

Korea might get stuck between a rock and a hard place as the tension between Japan and China rises.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

nigelboy: "but you don't see the former asking for apologies and compensations to a point where they are the most vocal."

Because the REAL Germany has actually shown contrition while Japan is RESCINDING apologies! So my question again, how can Japan be compared to Germany when they have not only made any true amends, but are intent on saying an apology was never official? Show me where Japanese officials go to visit memorials to Koreans and Chinese slaughtered during colonization. You can't, can you? I can show you proof of German Chancellors visiting memorials, but all you can show me is Japanese officials honoring war criminals at Yasukuni.

Germany STILL apologizes for its history, while Japan keeps denying it. The white-washed history books here will only ensure that continues, and Abe's a leader in that regard.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

"...when they have not only made any true amends..."

Should read 'not only NOT made any true amends'.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

South Korea donating the single-most amount of money next to Taiwan

Give me one link. Meanwhile, munch on this one :

http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/04/26/anti-japanese-nationalism-sours-korean-efforts-to-donate-relief-to-japanese-tsunami-victims/

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Well, Korean brainwashed in their own education seem to be rampant in this thread. So pathetic.

Surely Japan should have done about this long, long time ago. Japanese politicians in the past were not tactful and smart. But it may be burdensome task to get the Korean away. No money should be used (I wish). Japan has already paid huge amount of money to help Korea rebuild the society, It just went in vain.

Mr Abe, be ambitious, but not stay foolish.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The whole point of comparing Japan's apologies to Germany's apologies is invalid. Germany has done so much to pay redemption for what they did whereas Japan has not.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

ehdusjenny: "The whole point of comparing Japan's apologies to Germany's apologies is invalid. Germany has done so much to pay redemption for what they did whereas Japan has not."

Exactly! But the wingers don't want to hear that.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

It is ignorant about the history that to equate Japan with Germany. completely lacking in knowledge. the way of compensation are different in these two countries. In the case of Japan, most allied powers abandoned compensation by the San Francisco Treat. almost all Korean don't know the true world history. so they will be to persist in forged history now and forever.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Readers, no further references to Germany, please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

bicultural: Ah, I know you don't want to admit it. That would mean going against the current "let's hate our neighbours for what we ourselves did" trend that is causing the entire area to destabilize.

" South Korea sent the first team consisting of 5 rescuers and 2 rescue dogs who arrived in Japan on March 12, while another team of 102 rescuers arrived on March 14.[89] About 100 additional rescuers are on standby and waiting for Japan's permission to be dispatched. Korea also proposed to send an additional 1,000 rescue personnels upon Japan's request.[90] In addition to human aid, Korea is sending boric acid to weaken nuclear reactions and power sources for electricity.[91] Many provinces have offered aid as well. Gyeonggi-do offered US$1 million, and raised additional aid.[92] The South Korean consulate staffs in Sendai were crucial in escorting a Croatian citizen, Vinko Hut Kono, safely to the Akita Airport.[93]"

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2011_Tōhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami"

Now, keep in mind Japan rejected a lot of the international help besides the money -- I mean, they didn't want TEPCO to lose the plant and they in turn lose the pocket money.

Not to mention SK celebrities and concerts donated heaps of money as donation while groups like SMAP donated... what was it? 6% of their sales? The point, bicultural, is that a person is wrongfully accusing South Korea of jubilantly celebrating what happened last year, when in reality moods soured only after Japan reviewed the textbooks and once again insisted on white-washing at the end of the same month they took all the donation money.

That's Japan.

"On April 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released its Diplomatic Bluebook 2011 detailing developments in Japan’s foreign relations — a release that came just two days after the central government approved new school textbook content. Both reiterated Japan’s claims to the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands."

Once again, AFTER South Korea offered assistance (first out of any nation) and personal donations were very high. So should they have been happy about Japan's response? As usual, instead of an apology and/or a thanks they get kicked in the teeth and told the beating is their fault.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

smithinjapan -- good facts here. I would like to go over and spend some time in order to get a better sense of what is going on.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Again the same arguments continue.

Pain and suffering during any war is difficult to forget for both the victorious and the defeated. However, for those that could not claim either, there is much to be desired in order to find closure. That is more for individuals and for groups that "identify" with each other's need for "closure". Such is the case with both Korea and China that even after the end of the conflict, faced and undesired new conflict called the Korean War immediately thereafter that actually benefited the victor and the defeated of WWII. Both Korea and China suffered the losses during that 2nd conflict and at the end had nothing to show or be pleased about.

Even with the trillions of dollars poured in by both USA and Japan after the conflict to both Korea and China, there was very little for those few who felt their humanity taken away to find closure. While apologies may matter, to those affected, it does not help that nation as a whole to go forward when government use such issues for political purposes. That is exactly the kind of thinking that has kept the Muslim people and the Jewish people in conflict for over 4,000 years.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

kazetsukai: "While apologies may matter, to those affected, it does not help that nation as a whole to go forward..."

It certainly doesn't help when the apologies are not genuine and future politicians want to retract them, no.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

It certainly doesn't help when the apologies are not genuine and future politicians want to retract them, no.

And no, it certainly doesn't help that as soon as an apology is tendered, socialists and left wingers come out of the woodwork to declare it null and void because it wasn't long enough, wasn't spoken with the hoped for intonation, was delivered in the wrong location, by the wrong person etc.

And then what really doesn't help is when the same government (often the same man) who shook hands solemnly at the last round of apologies will shamelessly come out again in sixteen months time to say that he feels Japan should "once and for all" properly apologize for their transgressions.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

hidingout: "And no, it certainly doesn't help that as soon as an apology is tendered, socialists and left wingers come out of the woodwork to declare it null and void because it wasn't long enough, wasn't spoken with the hoped for intonation, was delivered in the wrong location, by the wrong person etc."

woh, woh, woh..... hang on a sec. Before you continue further and go on your thumbs down rampage, who is talking about rescinding an apology?

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

hidingout: "...And no, it certainly doesn't help that as soon as an apology is tendered, socialists and left wingers ..."

What happened to communist cheerleaders? Weren't we that but yesterday in your eyes as well? Or just communists? I kind of forget when you guys get to ranting and misusing words too big for your understanding.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

sfjp330,

Thx for saying it like it was, but many here dont like it when Japans savagery talked about, they only like using words like suffering, incidents, & then talk about remorse, but remorse for what is seldom mentioned, its left to ones imagination.

Japan like to use insincere vaguely worded double meaning "apologies" & then elect a party who puts in a loser who denies what his grandfather & friends did, but hey, its Japans loss, they pick their fork in the road, Japan will reap what its sewn..........sadly it never had to be like that, if Japan had taken the high road she'd be sitting pretty now instead where its at now, total waste & for what!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Smith, I asked you to provide a link to back up your baseless claim that South Korea donated the second highest amount of money and you copy and paste from wikipedia? Please. Here is a link showing how much money people donated at seven-eleven stores in each country after the earthquake. In Taiwan, they raised over 60,000 yen per store. In South Korea, 217 yen.

http://www.pref.aomori.lg.jp/release/files/2011/35281.pdf

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This test I performed here has shown that people are biased towards comments based on how they feel about someone. On this post I got -8 for just mentioning the below statement which was such a simple statement that should not offend anyone.

smithinjapan -- good facts here. I would like to go over and spend some time in order to get a better sense of what is going on.

This is the same -8 that I got in another article on the apology, which was a very right-winged opinion and delivered to attract the most disent as possible. Agreeably that was worth -8, but the above statement was not worth more than the -2 that Smith got.

What this shows is that supposed Abe makes some statement about Korea then immediately people will have a negative reaction based on their earlier experiences. The problem is that the bias is occurring for a statement based on the person and not what has been said.

That proves that if Korea says something then those who are biased against Korea will automatically reject whatever is said. The same goes for any other country and people who are biased against that country.

So as a lesson, do not judge the people that write here but instead what is being said or else we will never have progress in resolving disputes between Japan, Korea and China.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

bicultural --that is the best evidence to date. I have been searching for related info myself and could not find it. It just shows as we already know that Korea is heavily biased towards Japan. We all saw the news of how happy Koreans were about Japan's earthquake that devastated so many lives. Korea needs to work on healing their own wounds by stopping the false propaganda that is taught to the children. In Japan, children are not taught to hate any country including the USA. Korea will not succeed as a country much longer and instead be swallowed up by China in the near future as that is their only partner now.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And on and on it rumbles, like some hate-filled Doomsday Machine. Seriously, until and unless the entire population of Japan (from old men and women down to babies) get down on their knees and apologise the S Koreans will never be happy... even then they'll probably not accept it.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's a matter of national inferiority complex that needs social remedy. Constant need to accuse Japan to feel superior while failure of their need to heal it's self from North Korea.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

china and russia combined suffered more deaths/casualties in the hands of japan and germany than all other nations combined.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan says it has settled all its obligations and has apologised for its colonial rule, although Abe’s government has raised doubts about whether it stands by a 1993 statement on comfort women as well as the 1995 apology by Murayama.・・・・Abe's stance is right. We shouldn't make any further apologies, and compromises. If you look at the history on a fair perspective, there is no need to apologize, and do any compensation.If you are attacked without any fair reason, you will counterattack them to defend yourself. That's what happened in China 76 years ago. As for Korea, without Japanese annexation, it would have been a Russian territory. They should thank us for the fact that they still have their own country.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@hide suzuki

I agree. Atrocities were conducted on both sides of the war. America, England, France, Russia, Australia, as well as Germany, Japan etc.

Why should the children of Japan be forced to hear all the horrible things the Japanese military and Government forced onto other countries when there is nothing that can be done now. Apologies and compensation has been delivered where it was required (so this article indicates). Having a topic in schools focusing on the atrocities conducted during the war, as Simon Foston suggests, would only breed resentment and shame within the community, and let’s face it, do the allied countries share their less honourable moments within the war as part of a school curriculum? No they don’t. Its all triumph and honour.

I feel that the past is just that, the past. Let’s leave it there and move forward. The Japanese culture and government has grown since then and focussing on past issues only breeds resentment on all sides.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In relation to my previous comment. It was @Yubaru who suggested the school curriculum, not Simon Foston. My deepest apologies.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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