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U.N. chief Ban defends China parade trip after Japanese concern

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China instructed Park to attend, she in turn instructed Ban.

6 ( +18 / -12 )

Abe should be there. The defeat of the murderous imperial Japanese regime should be a cause for celebration for every human with a heart and a brain.

My declining the invitation to attend, Abe's strengthening perceived ties between Japan of the 1930s and the modern nation.

5 ( +20 / -15 )

UN has become anyting but neutral.

-2 ( +18 / -20 )

tinawatanabe AUG. 29, 2015 - 04:25PM JST UN has become anyting but neutral.

Because if someone doesn't do everything you want all the time, the only rational conclusion is that they're biased against you.

13 ( +24 / -10 )

The UN Secretary-General is supposed to be impartial to Natinonal & World Politics - That's why it's the United NATIONS!

And not the South Korea & Communist China's distorted vision of a New Asian Regional Order.

Perhaps it's time we consider a new Secretary-General to The UN because it is clearly evident that Mr. Ban is not Impartial nor is he contributing to the Regional Peace in Asia by cozying up with Communist China's "We Hate Japan Day".

Oh, maybe Mr. Ban and Ms, Park can Double-Date for the occasion.

5 ( +17 / -12 )

Look beyond the politics, the western leaders including Abe are not attending because they think China is celebrating it's victory against them but in fact they are not. Imperialist Japan is a very different country from modern day Japan. I believe everyone should accept the past and move on towards a better future instead of judging other countries for holding a parade over its victory from oppression. :P

6 ( +10 / -4 )

So are we seeing serious signs of South Korea shifting away from the US-Japan influence and into China's sphere?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Abe should attend. If he wants to push a non-apologetic future for Japan, he should attend events such as these and explain why. By not going he shows that what happened during the war is still causing tension now. Attend, show a bit of remorse, and create new ties to the future. Also, that way, when he wants to visit the war memorials here, other countries won't be able to complain.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Japan displeasure of what? The Abe speech has never written the word APOLOGIES within, shame on you !

1 ( +8 / -7 )

This monkey Ban has to go. This isn't the first time he's behaved as a "South Korean" before the UN Sec General. Japan should announce a 50% reduction in monetary contributions to the UN. Seriously.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

If Japan is invited and declines the invitation that is perfectly within their right. Likewise if another person or nation decides to attend, it is within theirs. It is not Japan's right to demand another does one or the other. When the UN or other organizations, nations, or inviduals ask Japan not to do this or that to exacerbate ties, Japan often replies that it is an internal matter and no one else's business -- yet here they are suggesting Ban should have done as they wished.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

When did WWII begin?

For the USA - 1941

For the UK - 1939

For China - 1937

Look at it from the Chinese point of view. In 1937 China was invaded by Japan.

It wasn't Pearl Harbor or Hitler's invasion of Poland. WWII for them began with the Japanese invasion and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945.

If Abe were sincere about apologising instead of doing a lip sync, he would go.

He pouts, says he won't go and instead, sends his wife to Yasukuni to pray for the souls of the war criminals who started it in the first place.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

There is no such word "APOLOGIES" in Japanese. Apologies translates "MOVE ON"

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I don't get why Japan feels a need to protest a WWII commemoration day in China? Can anyone explain?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

There is no such word "APOLOGIES" in Japanese

Apologize: 謝る (あやまる ayamaru)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Because the Japanese has GUILTS, thats why they are very sensitive to someone who disagree with them or siding with Chinalater over historical issue. Japan is very paranoid now.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Because the Japanese has GUILTS, thats why they are very sensitive to someone who disagree with them or siding with Chinalater over historical issue. Japan is very paranoid now.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Apologize: 謝る (あやまる ayamaru)

Which just happens to be thank you in (traditional, pre-Mao) Chinese: 謝謝

Should Abe show gratitude, or is this another skit for WHY, JAPANESE/CHINESE* PEOPLE?

*delete as appropriate

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Correct my if I am wrong, but I didn't see anywhere where Ban is directly quoted. Which means the headline is just click bait. "Xinhua said" is the same as the US said, or Russia said, or North Korea said,etc etc. looks like china is taking a page out of the Zionist play book of perpetual commiseration.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ban realizes China is higher up the post than Japan , it's an astute political decision to go.....

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

That's "neutral" UN Sec Gen South Korean Kim's stupid kow-towing action. He and S Korean President Park only remember Japanese atrocities during WW II, but forget it was Red China who was totally involved in the Korean War. South Korea would have become a united Communist Country with the North if it was not defended by the United Nation Force. UN Secretary Kim has conveniently forgotten this, and is playing with Korean-China "politics" together with his President Park. They are now siding with BIG Brother China. So foolish and short-sighted, and most observers have lost respect for this 2 leaders. Very sad & disgusting.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This is a terribly undiplomatic move by the UN Sec-Gen. Ban, should he attend at all, should do so as a private citizen. If the UN Sec-Gen. were not such a politically impotent position, I would be even more outraged.

I hope he likes helping prop up the CCP as they roll tanks again through Tienanmen Square.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How to say Kowtow in Korean? Comsymp.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Nothing wrong with the fact to commemorate the end of war, of course. My only problem with this and other similary celebrations in other countries is the military parade. I don't think you can celebrate peace by showing military force. It's hypocritical and fake, since it's clear the real purpose is to celebrate the military power. For this reason Ban shouldn't attend this parade and other similar parades around the world. But the world is false and completely messed up, there's no real wish for peace sadly.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The UN Secretary-General is supposed to be impartial to Natinonal & World Politics - That's why it's the United NATIONS!

Nonsense. That is not the aim of the UN, or stated anywhere in its charter. Has the UN been "impartial" on Ukraine? No. Was it "impartial" on the invasion of Kuwait? Was it "impartial" going back as far as the Cuban missile crisis? Why do Japanophiles make up stuff just to serve your agenda? Ban has every right to take a moral stand, and, hopefully, as a result, improve world relations and peace. That is the aim of the UN.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

You don't improve world relations and peace attending propagandistic military parades. Diplomacy is the way.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Completely agree with Alex80. This parade isn't about celebrating the end of the war. It's about China flexing its big muscles for the world to see, and about Xi Jinping consolidating himself as the most powerful leader since Deng Xiaoping. I write this from Shanghai; last week I was in Beijing and had a good chat to friends there about it (Chinese and foreign), who all thought it was just military showing off (but are all happy to get a bonus day off work!) and so I think it's a pretty poor decision for Ban to attend.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Where was Ban when Russia made her own military parade to celebrate the end of war recently? This shows his double standard. Go where there are money. Nothing to do with "world peace".

4 ( +5 / -1 )

UN secretaries-general should never attend an event that involves national militaries. It can show bias. They should not go to US military parades, Russian military parades, nor Chinese military parades (military parade here means anything that displays troops). UN secretaries-general may, however, observe militaries when under the blue helmets (when part of UN peacekeeping).

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I agree. The UN should keep out of glorify war machines. It's got nothing to do with his nationality.

@BertieWooster

When did WWII begin?

For China - 1937

No, the Second SIno-Japanese war was a separate war and a continuation of older conflicts. It would be wrong to re-write history into it starting in 1937.

It also took the two parties to tango.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Japan surrendered to the Allies including the Republic of China, not to the People’s Republic of China which did not exist at the time. Taiwan’s President Ma will not attend the parade of course. Victory over Japan meant disarmament of Manchuria and the spread of communism. China and Korea are still divided to this day. The UN Secretary General should be careful about attending a military parade held by one of the divided countries, particularly when the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan which aims to get independent from China seems to take office next year. A military parade is not a mere anniversary parade.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japanese media reported that Japan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed “strong displeasure” with Ban’s attendance.

Ha-ha. . . Japan has contributed so much financially throughout the yrs to the UN. Only to slapped in the face by Ban's attendance. "strong displeasure" can also be felt by SK and China whenever pm, their wives, and other elected officials visit yasukuni.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Let's make new History!✌️

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Anyway, apparenlty also the US bond with China is getting always closer:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2015-08/29/content_21739895.htm

The more I try, the more I can't understand American foreign policy...if they are so close to China, which is the purpose to support Abe militarism? So confusing.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Alex80,

The more I try, the more I can't understand American foreign policy...if they are so close to China, which is the purpose to support Abe militarism? So confusing.

It is confusing, isn't it. It doesn't add up.

Perhaps someone is not being entirely truthful.

You know, saying one thing to one party and another thing to the other.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

You don't improve world relations and peace attending propagandistic military parades.

Yes you do. All military parades are... military, anyway. They should just not exist. And most countries do them anyway. The VIP in the audience carries more weight than the weapons on display. By being there, you force China to make the event's tone less hostile as they can't spit at the face of guests they invited in their presence. I think Japan and 'Western nations' should have accepted to attend (maybe not Obama that is too busy nor Abe that's too boring, but other ppl).

Diplomacy is the way.

That's what diplomacy is.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Perhaps someone is not being entirely truthful.

You know, saying one thing to one party and another thing to the other.

Indeed...

That's what diplomacy is.

Attending military parades? You were right when you said they should just not exist. I don't get how somoeone can celebrate peace celebrating weapons .

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The UN is supposed to be neutral. The head of the UN should not be playing politics and attending a war parade.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This is what a peace celebration looks like, I guess

Yeah. The essence of peace. I'm disgusted by the world.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Alex80: "Where was Ban when Russia made her own military parade to celebrate the end of war recently?"

Show us where Ban was invited.

"The more I try, the more I can't understand American foreign policy...if they are so close to China, which is the purpose to support Abe militarism? So confusing."

Didn't take you long to start going on about the US in an off-topic remark. Maybe you're confused because you keep bringing up the US and your problems with its policies on unrelated threads -- you know, like this one talking about Japan's displeasure over Ban attending a ceremony in China.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

China get over it. Learn from it and move on. Quit punishing this generation for past faults. Cheap shot.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ban attended also Russia commemoration:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russia-marks-ve-day-massive-military-parade-allies-boycott-event-1500493

I wasn't sure about it, so I searched for some info. At least he has not double standard. Anyway, I can't agree with this kind of celebration of "peace", no matter which is the country involved.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

China and Russia are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. these permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including candidates for Secretary-General. So Ban Ki-moon doesn't have any other choice.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The South Koreans like the Chinese know no shame so this comes as no surprise. First country, then the UN job. Ban should be BANNED for such action! Clearly biased and not in the UN's best interest.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

This is the second time Ban has failed to live up to the requirements of neutrality and objectivity that comes with the office of UN Secretary General. What does it take to remove this agent of South Korea, which in turn is an agent of China from office? Why isn't the Secretary General of the UN more concerned with China having killed UN troops from 17 member nations in 1950/51?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@Alex80

I don't get how somoeone can celebrate peace celebrating weapons.

Well, peace didn't just magic itself into existence. Men with weapons had to spill a lot of blood first.

Military parades and large exercises both serve to provide deterrence and intimidation. Parades are the "look how many cutting-edge weapons we have" and exercises, in addition to practical training are the "and we know how to use 'em too!"

Here's an analogy for you: nightclub bouncers. Do you think their job is to constantly beat up unruly customers? No. 80% of their purpose is intimidation - projecting an aura of strength and ferocity than discourages drunk idiots from ever disturbing the peace in the first place.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

China a rising power and Japan declining. Mr Ban is following the money, after all money and politics go hand in hand......

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@ossan: Did you ever have a little bit military knowledges while your expression of fury. The Korean war that the Chinese army has engaged has met all civilized combat protocols that nothing be complained by military historians, it was a "Gentleman's war" and thats why a truce has struck at the end. What kind of misconducts did Chinese army ever committed to that 28+ anti communist forces during and after the engagement and which Chinese commanders has been convincted with war crimes? The Sino Japanese war wasnt just a war but mass committed atrocities to both military and civilians. The most distinctive one was the IJA using mustard gas and biological weapons, the existence of unit731 of japanese biological warfare and buried mustard gas cannon shells can be found today. All these evidences shown Japan wasnt committing a war but atrocities and that deserved an answer!

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@Alex80

I don't get how somoeone can celebrate peace celebrating weapons.

Well, peace didn't just magic itself into existence. Men with weapons had to spill a lot of blood first.

Spot on. Alex must never have heard of Ronald Reagan, or just conveniently forgets how successful his foreign policy was, especially in dealing with the then Soviet Union, that was based principally on military might. Does Alex think the Berlin wall came down due to "doplocmacy"? LOL.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

jerseyboy:

as much as we admire that US president, the soviet union collapsed due to economic problems and social upheavals made worse by glasnost and perestroika, not reagan telling him to tear the wall down.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Alex80: "I wasn't sure about it, so I searched for some info. At least he has not double standard. Anyway, I can't agree with this kind of celebration of "peace", no matter which is the country involved."

Alex, you literally asked "Why did Ban not attend the Russian parade..." in your post scorning him, so don't say, "I wasn't sure about it", admit, "I was wrong about it" already. In any case you're making a lot of fuss when it comes to countries staging these kinds of events that are, then or at present, not very friendly with Japan, but I don't recall you complaining on the other threads recently where people go to watch live fire demonstrations and celebrations of Japan's weaponry and military might.

OssanAmerica: "Why isn't the Secretary General of the UN more concerned with China having killed UN troops from 17 member nations in 1950/51?"

Because it's unrelated. A much more relevant question would be why the UN tolerates any Japanese activity with regards to the UN at all, given they deny past atrocities and asked Ban not to attend solely because it is embarrassing for them.

KnowBetter: "Ban should be BANNED for such action! Clearly biased and not in the UN's best interest."

So, not going because the country that repressed China and they had to help fight free of, as well as slaughtering millions upon millions of innocents in Asia, asked them to is in no way bias and is in the UN's best interests? Sounds to me like you just want to replace what you perceive as one side's bias with what you think is 'right' and not bias at all when it's another.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

as much as we admire that US president, the soviet union collapsed due to economic problems and social upheavals made worse by glasnost and perestroika, not reagan telling him to tear the wall down.

jumin -- precisely. Which is why Reagan's "peace through might" strategy was so successful, or don't you get that? By pumping up the U.S. military budget/muscle, he forced the Soviet Union into a game they could not possibly win, because their economy was in such shambles. There was no diplomacy involved, as Alex keeps talking about. In fact, China is doing the exact same thing now to Japan -- upping their military budget by double-digits every year, while Japan's economy is weak -- forcing Japan to print even more money to try to increase their defense spending, at a time when social costs are sky rocketing, and the population is shrinking. That's what really has the Japanese leaders so angry.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I repeat my opinion, to all people who disagrees with me: peace can't be built up by militarization. I disagree with this kind of celebrations EVERYWHERE, in China, Europe, JAPAN, United States. No matter where, everywhere.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Alex80: I repeat my opinion, to all people who disagrees with me: peace can't be built up by militarization. I disagree with this kind of celebrations EVERYWHERE, in China, Europe, JAPAN, United States. No matter where, everywhere.

Note all the "former sovereign states" that fell due to insufficient militarization. Tibet's in there. The Republic of Alsace-Lorraine, as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_former_sovereign_states

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@turbosat: yours and other people logic here is scary. Militarization of one country forces militarization of others countries, this isn't s mystery. While the states spend tons of money in military badget, they cut spending for welfare and what people really need. Hystory showed us that militarizations and war bring only to disasters, now we live in a world full of violence, terrorism and under the threat of nuclear weapons, where everyone wants to become stronger than their enemies. Tons of money are wasted in weapons while the governments could spend them for creating a better lifestyle for their people. If progressively the biggest countries started a demilitarization, the others would act the same way. I see many people here pushing for militarization rather than demilitarization worldwide. Creepy and sick logic. Probably the current mess around the world isn't enough, they want other wars.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Alex80

now we live in a world full of violence, terrorism and under the threat of nuclear weapons, where everyone wants >to become stronger than their enemies.

"Now"? What do you think we lived in "before"? Human existence is inextricably linked with violent conflict. As Brad Pitt said in the movie Fury "Ideals are peaceful...history is violent."

If progressively the biggest countries started a demilitarization, the others would act the same way.

This is extremely naive. You are assuming that countries are all led by altruistic do-gooders. All it takes is a minority of megalomaniacs and sociopaths in charge to look at disarmament and think "Sweet. Perfect opportunity to kill all these idiots and take their stuff."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@noble: try to think. In countries where weapons are not in every house, there are less shootings than in countries where everyone can have a gun for his "right" to defend himself. This simple logic can be applied also to the states, that should use diplomacy as mean to solve problems, not wars.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Alex80

This simple logic can be applied also to the states

No, it can't. Citizens are subject to the State's Monopoly on Violence and largely surrender their right to use violence as part of the social contract. Sovereign States by their very nature have not ceded their right to use violence to a higher power.

You can't structure institutions for the ideal scenario of "If everyone talked it out, it's more efficient." Institutions need to be rigorous enough to handle the outliers, the black swan events. Sure it would be nice if nations talked out their problems, but what's your backup plan?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Noble713: I continue to trust my ideals, you can continue to trust Brad Pitt. Until most of people continue to be easily brainwashed by the states about the fact they are surrounded by enemies everywhere, history can't change, and we'll see always wars, always more terrible, like WWII showed us, because of weapons become always more terrible. We are not living during Stone Age anymore. Ordinary people shouldn't accept warmongering logic imposed by the states, for the sake of few (lobbies that exploit wars). Today we live in a globalized world, where everyone need each other. This model partially impoverished the old developed countries, but overall it has been successful. Global trade made many very poor countries, in the past exploited by the Western imperial powers, less poor. Cooperation, right forms of trade, respect...this is what can make the world successful and more peaceful. If we want to continue to think like if we were living still during Stone Age, acting like cavemen, we can continue...the main problem is that now almost everyone can have nuclear weapons, and until some states decide they and only they can have them, others will say they need them as well. It's a sick vicious circle.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Alex80

I continue to trust my ideals, you can continue to trust Brad Pitt.

I trust statistics. Human characteristics are largely normally distributed. Some people are more altruistic and less violent than average...but others exist at the opposite end of the bell curve. I grew up attending private Quaker schools, where they did their damnedest to shove pacifism down everyone's throats. Twelve years of useless platitudes never took hold and were followed by 12 years of ROTC, the Army, and the Marine Corps. And I'm one of the milder examples of a violent man.

You have put forth no concrete methodology for mitigating the damage done by those willing to use violence to achieve their objectives. Simply blind faith in "ideals". Unless you intend to imprint every human with a psyche or DNA that makes them passive and docile. And how would you accomplish that without force? Step out of your Ivory Tower sometime.

Today we live in a globalized world, where everyone need each other.

Thanks to automation.....we actually don't need everyone. Humanity has a huge surplus labor pool. The bottom 25% (~1.75 billion) could disappear tomorrow and the planet would still be able to sustain the first-world living conditions we have.

the main problem is that now almost everyone can have nuclear weapons

Even in the 21st century the development of deliverable nuclear ordnance is extremely technically demanding and expensive. If it was as easy as you claim, there would be more than 10 nations with them.

On a somewhat related note, given all this talk about militarism and sabre-rattling.....why hasn't Japan Today published an article about the launch of Japan's 2nd Izumo-class carrier?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I trust statistics.

Statistics show that cooperation, right forms of trade (not like the Unequal treaty, you know...these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unequal_treaty or the current TPP and TTIP), respect bring to stability and prosperity, while wars bring to death, destruction, mass migrations.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why isn't JT reporting 'other news ' ?

Japan Today is under new management of Fuji Media Holdings

If you all want to see the possible future direction of Japantoday then you may have recourse to their inaccurate reporting ( by Fuji Media) of Koreans stating they 'hate' Japan when they said nothing of the sort! Hopefully, unbiased and accurate reporting will be the order of the day?

Moderator: Incredible the way you go off topic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

elephant200Aug. 30, 2015 - 08:24AM JST @ossan: Did you ever have a little bit military knowledges while your expression of fury. The Korean war that the Chinese army has engaged has met all civilized combat protocols that nothing be complained by military historians, it was a "Gentleman's war"

Your long post ignores the fact that China killed UN troops. And Ban is the Secretary General of the UN. Hence comparing it to the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945 is utterly irrelevant. As for the Korean War being a "gentleman's war" is that what the CCP propaganda machine is pumping out these days? http://b-29s-over-korea.com/POWs-In-Korean-War/POWs-In-Korean-War_1.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:North_Korean_war_crimes

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Alex80

while wars bring to death, destruction, mass migrations.

And an endless list of technological advances over the past several thousand years, in fields ranging from metallurgy to civil engineering to power generation to trauma care.

You can't have the yin without the yang.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

And an endless list of technological advances over the past several thousand years, in fields ranging from metallurgy to civil engineering to power generation to trauma care.

I think a different kind of lifestyle is possible. If for this lifestyle we need wars, I don't want this lifestyle anymore. It's not like we are living "well". A lot of mental diseases, stress, unhappiness...is this "progress"?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Alex80

If for this lifestyle we need wars, I don't want this lifestyle anymore.

It's easy to downsize your lifestyle, maybe become a hermit....especially since Japan's countryside is emptying out anyway.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's easy to downsize your lifestyle, maybe become a hermit....especially since Japan's countryside is emptying out anyway.

Seriously, the whole model of development should change. There's too much waste, and I believe every person with a bit of common sense is able to admit it. Anyway, I live in Italy, not in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is absolutely legitimate and appropriate to have Ban attend the Sep 3 victory parade in Beijing becasue it is a victory of conscience and against the evil facism of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. It is also absolutely legitimate and appropriate for the Japanese emperor to apologize for his dad who was directly involved in invading China and caused more than 20 million Chinese deaths 1931-1945. (Imagine 1/5 of current Japanese population) That's actually way too easy for the emperor or the PM Abe to do to get the baggage off.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

alex80: @turbosat: yours and other people logic here is scary.

Ukraine unilaterally gave up their nukes and thereby lost about a third of their country including the premium bits.

And the Western countries that signed that agreement fell all over themselves guaranteeing Ukraine's security in the face of the invader.

And the same thing happened back when Tibet was invaded.

Oh, wait. They didn't, and it didn't.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Abe should be there. The defeat of the murderous imperial Japanese regime should be a cause for celebration for every human with a heart and a brain.

My declining the invitation to attend, Abe's strengthening perceived ties between Japan of the 1930s and the modern nation.

And you think Abe, or any Japanese politician for that matter, would be made welcome? They would be mobbed at every opportunity... maybe even shot at. It would be like throwing a Christian to lions in the arena in Rome. Even if he were not to be attacked you can bet he would be forced to bow and apologise live on TV.

I don't trust the Chinese regime for one minute.

As for Ban going... well he IS Korean.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

To the various users here who frequently make anti-Abe / anti-LDP posts (which I tend to agree with), yet appear to see Xi Jinping and the CCP as some sort of counterpoint, it is a mistake to do so; if you dislike Abe & his cronies then you must surely also dislike Xi et al, for the CCP is a far greater expression (by orders of magnitude) of the kind of nationalist & militaristic sentiments that make Abe & pals so unpalatable. If you are worried about the direction Japan may be starting to take, remember that China is a very long way ahead of them down that road

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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