U.S. President Barack Obama (L) carries a wreath as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks on, in front of a cenotaph at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan May 27, 2016. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo
Voice Of America: Japan: Abe Will Not Apologize at Pearl Harbor
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not apologize for his country's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor when he visits the site on the U.S. island of Hawaii later this month, a representative said.
"The prime minister's visit is to show his commitment toward the future and to never repeat the tragedy of the world war, as well as to send a message of reconciliation between the U.S. and Japan," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the attack that precipitated the American entry into World War II. Six months ago, U.S. President Barack Obama became the country's first sitting leader to visit a memorial in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, where in 1945 the United States detonated the world's first atomic bomb intending to end the war.
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WNU Editor: Cannot say that I am surprised .... and until Japan officially and publicly recognizes and atones for what it did during the Second World War .... this will always be a scar that will not heal .... even if the Japanese like to proclaim that they want to look at the future .... not the past.
More News On Japan's Prime Minister Decision To Not Issue An Apology On His Visit To Pearl Harbor
Japan PM's Pearl Harbor visit won't be for apology: spokesman -- Reuters
Japan PM Abe won't apologise at Pearl Harbor: government -- AFP
Japanese PM will visit Pearl Harbor to pay respects, not to apologize -- CBC/AP
No apologies: Abe visits Pearl Harbor to show strength of U.S.-Japan ties, not regret -- Globe and Mail
Suga: Abe’s Pearl Harbor visit not for apology -- Japan News/JiJi Press
Abe’s Pearl Harbor visit for remembrance, not apology: Suga -- Japan News/Kyodo
Pearl Harbor commemoration won't include apology from Japan -- DW
8 comments:
Many people forget, that USA together with her alies where in war against an Empire, not a simple pacifist nation that Japan is today....and Empire of the Rising Sun whas no diferent from nazy Germany.
We don't need an apology; we got a surrender.
You have a good point Matthew.
I must agree with you Matthew and second the editor. Frankly I wasn't aware an apology has ever been expected. As pointed out, it's time to move forward. The problems the world faces are far to massive to waste energy and time looking in the past and wallowing in it.
With that said and not trying to sound ugly here it's long past time for Japan to be meeting their own military needs without a US presence. When they are able to do this, this will be extremely helpful to the alliance between our countries.
Those who would expect Japan to apologize remind me of people who live in glass houses. Such people should not throw stones.
Matthew Dupuis said...
"We don't need an apology; we got a surrender."
A surrender is not enough depending on what they teach about WW2 in the history books.
If they teach the right things, then skipping an apology can work.
http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/japanese-troops-using-prisoners-target-practice-1942/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3028694/U-S-POWs-shot-Japan-70-years-ago-dissected-ALIVE-macabre-experiments-controversial-new-exhibition-shows.html
http://www.historynet.com/american-prisoners-of-war-massacre-at-palawan.htm
http://www.politifact.com/virginia/statements/2015/jan/12/bobby-scott/bobby-scott-after-wwii-us-executed-japanese-war-cr/
http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/247337/unbroken-japan-still-deep-denial-over-cannibalism-daniel-greenfield
My family fought in the Pacific during WW2, like millions. Sure surrender/defeat was the realized goal. But scars prevail, both in the victors and vanquished. Healing, reflection and for some permission is needed to move on still after all these years. This visit will help to close that chapter and cement our friendship and alliance for future wellbeing.
Apology
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/apology
1. a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another:
2. a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.
3.(initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.
4.an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift
So PM Abe born 21 September 1954 should apologize for something he did not do? He should on behalf of the Japanese people 90% to 97% of who were not alive then?
The next fascists/communists could more easily come from Moscow, Riyadh, or Milan than Tokyo. So why go after the current generation of Japanese?
There is precedent. Bill Clinton apologized for slavery. So maybe it is a new thing. Apologize on behalf of others for something you did not do yourself.
Maybe YC could apologize for the Peloponesia War, the Sack of Carthage, or Mussolini.
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