Japan�s View of the Past

Well put.

Jiangwei

Maju,

Maybe this belongs on another thread, but I understand what you are saying.  American is a very broad term.  It should not mean just "United States" Americans.  It is sort of a slap in the face in reference to Latin America.  It is almost like saying that Latin Americans are a sub or offspring of Americans.  But then again, Americans is not a homogeneous race (however some would like it to be). 

Hey, I am Asian American, but I am just as American as somebody who can trace their roots back to the Mayflower.  I pay taxes (a lot), so I am "American" as apple pie.

Getting back to Japan.  I have no problems with Japan paying respects to their war deads.  But to give the same "offical" respect to convicted war criminals, that is totally different.  Look, it is a war, innocent people die.  There is a certain level of barbarism that is associated to war, but a systematic killing of civilians is unacceptable.  I see no difference between what some of the Imperial Japanese Armies did in Korea, China, etc... vs the Nazi's in Europe.

The current Kozumi government has the right to do whatever it wants.  If you feel that it is a unjustice, do the civilized thing.  Don't protest, or throw rocks at your nearest Japanese embassy.  Please go to Japanese restaurants, because the food is excellent.  Not the restaurant owners fault that Kozumi has a different view on history.  Just don't buy Japanese products from those big Japanese companies (I think Honda's are great cars).  Hit them were it really hurts, in the wallet.

Jiangwei

Originally posted by tubo what Imperial Japan did the world wars was as barbarous as nazi scums of Europe.people of china and korea has perfect right to ask the japanese government (not people) to apologize for their wartime atrocities.i just wanted to point out  the fact that some posters of chinese origin has absolutely no qualm about the present brutal occupation of tibet and yet whine hyprocritically  about what japan did fifty years ago.

Again, maybe you should start a new tread about Tibet.

My feeling is that Tibet parallels the West Bank situation.  See the mass media complaining about the Isreali's "occupation" of the West Bank.  Double standard if you asked me.

However the Tibet situation does not even come close to the Japanese colonization of Asia.  Do we need to go into the details?  I invite anyone to parallel the Tibetian situation with the Rape of Nanjing, Korean Comfort Women, Biological experiments in "Manchuria", etc...  these acts parallel the Nazi's and in some situations go beyond.

I believe that Tibet belongs in China.  I also belive that Tibetians should have the same rights as the Han Chinese. 

Do I support some of the Chinese tactics in Tibet.  No.  Do I support the Tibetian tactics in Tibet.  No.  There has to be a medium where two sides can agree for the benefit of all.

Jiangwei

But they are right, they ARE victims.  The evil actions belong to those who raged war -- the leaders of Japan -- not to the people.  It is an unfortunate nationalistic construct that equates Japan with its imperial government.  But Japan is more than its imperial government.  The Japanese people -- the majority of Japanese -- can't be said to be guilty for the war, and those who suffered and still suffer from the atomic bomb are truly victims.  Let's not let nationalism blind our sense of commiseration and our common sense -- It is obvious that we cannot equate a people with its government.

Koreana,

I would not worry too much.  The economies of China, Taiwan, S. Korea, & Japan are so dependent on each other that war would be foolish.  It is equivalent to chopping your own arm off.

There will be quite a sum of saber rattling.  However, if either one of the four changes the status quo, then it is difficult to predict.  Like if Taiwan declares independence, or N. Korea drops a nuclear weapon somewhere.

I think S. Korea is in a difficult situation.  Because of Kozumi's positions & the US's heavy handed approach to the N. Koreans, they are pushing the S. Koreans more toward the Chinese side.  Also, (correct me if I am wrong) I get the impression that Japan is a more "important" ally to the US than S. Korea.

I think my post should be in the current event forum.  Sorry about that.

Jiangwei

I agree here with MoriheiUeshiba.

  I have spoke with many American friends and they all express the difficulties that American faced fighting Japanese from an island to an Islan in the Pacific. Invading mainland Japan would have been a disaster to the US and the allies.

  Instead, they adopted the principle of "the ends, justify the means". So let us nuke Japan and nuke each city till they surrender. I've read that USA was expecting Japan to resist further and a 3rd Nuclear bomb was on its way too except that Japan really surrendered.

   Did I want Japan to win the war? Hell no, for all their atrocities in Korea, and China especially. But at the same time, I cannot buy the argument that bombing Nagasaki and Hiroshima was to destroy military factories and harbors. The US just wanted to end the war even if it meant nuking every major city in Japan.