Japan won't forget error of militarism, Fukuda vows

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

Japan won't forget error of militarism, Fukuda vows

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20071229as.html

May I say, as a foreigner; "Japan you have a very wise and thoughtful Prime Minister."

Yasuo Fukuda said; Japan will "look squarely"at its wartime militarism and teach its children and grandchildren the tragic lessons of that past.

What a wonderful message for 2008!

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

URL should be : http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20071229a5.html

Sorry for my untidy mistake!

[Mars Man]

Thanks for that link fix...and the information. It may be window dressing to some extent, but I tend to think it is at least a good attitude to take in presentation. At the same time, I really regret that anything of the sort has to be felt as though it needs to be said anyway. That is because I am of the forgive and forget position--this forget does not literally mean no longer have memory of, but simply to not hold grudge for or think ill of due to. (we all should have put that behind us now rather than let it continue to bother the present world state...as it does.)

Of course it is not only this matter which bothers the world state now, but this is a big one in the Asian region...it so seems.

ps. I hope you understand Elizabeth Van Kampen san, that I have moved this into the better area, since it does exactly deal with Japan, and since it is news that is very recent. Thanks. Mars Man

[GodEmperorLeto]

This is a step in a good direction. However, it remains to be seen whether the history books will be clarified or still suffer from burdensome political "spin".

[tokapi]

I think it's more of an usual PR announcement,don't anticipate any concrete actions.

[Elizabeth van Kampen]

Thanks a lot Mars Man, yes it was in the wrong place.

Mr.Yasuo Fukuda, has stolen my heart, because he means that Japanese children should learn about the dark pages in history just as well as the good pages. Thank goodness that is also done in the Netherlands schools today, slowly but surely. Also overhere stories have been wiped under the carpet.
We all have our dark pages in history, such is life.

What I like so much about Mr. Fukuda is that he doesn't come with apologizes, no he comes with the correct history. That is what I love about him.

As for myself I never hated the Japanese people and I will tell the Forum why.
Not today, but in the very beginning of 2008.

[Astroboy]

As far as I remember, "apology, etc." is a ritual procedures of all Japanese PMs when they meet Chinese or Korean Presidents for the past 60 years.

So, Nothing new.

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

Thanks a lot Mars Man, yes it was in the wrong place.
Mr.Yasuo Fukuda, has stolen my heart, because he means that Japanese children should learn about the dark pages in history just as well as the good pages. Thank goodness that is also done in the Netherlands schools today, slowly but surely. Also overhere stories have been wiped under the carpet.
We all have our dark pages in history, such is life.
What I like so much about Mr. Fukuda is that he doesn't come with apologizes, no he comes with the correct history. That is what I love about him.
As for myself I never hated the Japanese people and I will tell the Forum why.
Not today, but in the very beginning of 2008.

Hi Elizabeth

I have many Dutch friends on business and personal. Although Ik kan neet spreekt Nederlanse, I can communicate with them well in english and even Japanse. Nobody Japanese hate Dutch. We are all old friends except some period of history.

I wish you all a very happy new year 2008.

[tokapi]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth van Kampen

Japan won't forget error of militarism, Fukuda vows

Yasuo Fukuda said; Japan will "look squarely" at its wartime militarism and teach its children and grandchildren the tragic lessons of that past.

Treatment of Westerners in Asia Far East during WW 2

Dutch policemen in the Dutch East Indies were used as objects to practice sword cuts on by cutting limbs from living people. Pretty soon after Japanese occupied colonial areas it was claimed by propoganda the Japanese were freeing the Asian from white rule.The white people were enemies.They were coolies and forced labourers like any other and prone to be bayoneted any time it suited a guard.

i.e A witness talked of a POW with dystentry relieving themselves over a latrine being bayoneted to the amusement of Japanese gaurds who see the dying man fall into the hole containing human filth. The witness was angry and horrified but couldnt do anything.

Forced labour and very high rates of death in Japanese custody as well as medical experiments on European POWs, like removing organs and infecting with diseases all show Japanese conduct against Europeans was also criminal in the truest sense. At the end of the war the captured soldiers looked like Jews in a German camp.( see photos below )

The Imperial Japanese infamously practiced cannibalisim of dead white soldiers for continuing the war on encircled islands that could not be supplied and apparently even when it wasn't.Even officers tasted of flesh from allied soldiers.

Lord Russell of Liverpool wrote a book on the various crimes of the Japanese called "Knight of Bushido" which includes the cruelties against both Chinese, asian and white peoples & has some pretty awful photographs.( photos below )

[Goldiegirl]

It's good of course to teach the truth in so much as anyone can write the truth as far as history is concerned. I hope this isn't too off topic, but what I noticed with my Japanese friends and husband even, is this peace at all costs behaviour. They won't stand up and say that they think something is wrong. My husband says to me that I shouldn't argue on the internet, that it's ok to feel what I feel, but not to argue. I can't have an argument with him because ultimately he doesn't fight. I hope that all these pushes for apologies over and over again won't diminish the spirit of the Japanese people.

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by Goldiegirl

It's good of course to teach the truth in so much as anyone can write the truth as far as history is concerned.

True. History is not one side.
War must have not been Samurai vs Europe's Knight. It must have been "Kill or killed". No Mercy. No Geneva Convention....
After WWII, The world still repeats the same. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, etc.

[Astroboy]

There must be many different history interpretations about the modern world history and Japan.

But I think the most important thing of the world history is that Japan was Pandora's Box.

Europe/USA forced Japan to open the country in mid 19th century. Since then, everything began to change.

First, Europe/USA treated Japan as a second-class country and forced Japan to conclude unequal treaty because they said that Japan was not civilized yet. Yes. Japan was a peaceful country and people were modest/non-assertive at that time.

However, once Japan beat China and Russia, and Japan killed many Chinese/Russians by following the same militaristic power as European. Europe/USA agreed to abondon unequal treaties because they admitted Japan was not uncivilized anymore.

In short, militaristic strength and killing many people were the way to first class (civilized) country according to their definition. Interesting, wasn't it?

In the early 20th century, some 70% of this planet was ruled by Europe/USA. In Asia, only Japan and Thailand maintained independence. Thailand maintained independence as a buffer area between French Indochina and British Burma. China was eroded and being in the midst of chaos.
After all, only Japan maintained its full independence.

It was very natural that Japan followed the same path (imperialism/colonialism) as Europe, while it was too late.

Anyhow, Japan's aim to establish "the Great East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" was too radical and failed.

However, it is an irony of history that the world became more fair and equal after WWII with less racial discrimination and more free trade. and ... it was what Japan wanted.

Before WWII, Japan showed Asians (mostly ruled by Europe/USA) how to fight.

After WWII, Japan showed Asians (mostly less developed) how to become rich. First Taiwan and S Korea followed Japanese success model, and then China. Today, most of Asian countries introduced Japanese know-hows/ success model and lifted off towards prosperity.

After all, Japan was Pandora's box, and still Pandora's box.

[Astroboy]

Probably, Europeans and Americans must unconcsiouly be afraid of something JAPANESE because Japan continued to destroy their superiority...even after WWII.

Treatment of Westerners in Asia Far East during WW 2
Comfort woman resolution
Nanking massacre
Japanese War crimes
Whaling
Japanese unfair trade
Japan's Conspiracy, etc.

are typical examples.

They want to establish image of ugly, brutal, inscrutable, less educated and unethical Japanese.
And they want to tell that they are much better than Japanese. In addition, China and Korea are fueling such because of their internal problems.

Maybe it cannot be helped because Japan was not perfect and failed physically.
However, it will not work out forever, I think. Because younger generation can access more information and better exploit history.

[tokapi]

America is still the superpower whacked Japan in WW 2 & won trade war of 1990's.Japan unloaded many assets in USA on the cheap ( sold some prime commercial properties @ 35%-40% of original purchased prices ) in the mid 1990's to fund ballooned bad debts ( the nation was living on savings with industrial capacities running @ 45% ).apan Inc is now back to own shores with struggling economy of countless thousand college-educated younger generation Japanese don't have full time employment & another million or two working poors shuffle between low-pay part time jobs.

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by tokapi

America is still the superpower whacked Japan in WW 2 & won trade war of 1990's.Japan unloaded many assets in USA on the cheap ( sold some prime commercial properties @ 35%-40% of original purchased prices ) in the mid 1990's to fund ballooned bad debts ( the nation was living on savings with industrial capacities running @ 45% ),Japan Inc is now back to own shores with struggling economy of countless thousand college-educated younger generation Japanese don't have full time employment & another million or two working poors shuffle between low-pay part time jobs.

This is very interesting post, and partly agree with you.

1. Pacific war: Japan failed .... physically.
2. Trade war: Japan failed .... financially.
3. Then how do you predict the next?