Nanjing Massacre 75 years ago today
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solarz
Brigadier
Japan needs to make its own fate. I hold opinions only so far as its decisions affect that of my motherland, China.
If the Japanese apology sounds hollow to victims of its Imperial past, then that is a failing the Japanese must address themselves. I am atheist, but I believe in Karma: you reap what you sow. No matter if it's perceived or actual, Japan pays a price for not being sincere enough in their apologies: just look at the South Korean outrage against a "secret" intelligence sharing treaty. Thus, what you are describing is a Japanese problem, not a Chinese problem, and China need not interfere.
On the other hand, I think there is much to be admired in today's Japanese society, and much that China could learn from. For example, I once read an article from an english-language Japanese newspaper about the need for improving social support for the blind. It struck me because even in Canada, we don't have this kind of social dedication toward helping the disadvantaged.
I have several Chinese friends who have traveled to Japan. All of them remark on how polite the Japanese are, and how clean its cities and streets are.
China and Japan have many common cultural characteristics, making Japan a better role model than, say, the United States. Right now, I think it is a shame that so many Chinese people are blindly rejecting all things Japanese simply on account of historical hatred. This is something that would only harm China in the long run, not Japan.
This is why I say: forgive, but never forget. Learn the lessons of history well, and keep them close to heart, but let go of the hatred: it serves only to hold you back.
I think many chinese feel a sense of injustice and anger because of the inconsistencies of post war japan treatment wrt war criminals and post war germany... That article sums it up nicely. Another symbolic example is looking at flags. As offensive as the swatsika is internationally, the rising sun naval flag is almost equally as bad in the minds of some, yet the latter has been retained aboard JMSDF ships.
Germans are ashamed of Nazi germany, while most Japanese, while they do not certainly talk about that time with pride and they do recognize faults, do not have a strong a sense of cultural trauma and regret.
In a way I think this is what many Chinese think the Japanese... deserve? (maybe too strong a word)
But there's no practical way at this point for such a hope to materialize into action short of bringing up a whole sh*tstorm. I personally think chinese should not forgive or forget, but they shouldn't constantly be heckling this matter either. Anger, protests to visits to war shrines, controversial statements made by japanese politicians, and anniversaries like these few days, are justified. Going too far beyond that will just be laying it on thick imo
Germans are ashamed of Nazi germany, while most Japanese, while they do not certainly talk about that time with pride and they do recognize faults, do not have a strong a sense of cultural trauma and regret.
In a way I think this is what many Chinese think the Japanese... deserve? (maybe too strong a word)
But there's no practical way at this point for such a hope to materialize into action short of bringing up a whole sh*tstorm. I personally think chinese should not forgive or forget, but they shouldn't constantly be heckling this matter either. Anger, protests to visits to war shrines, controversial statements made by japanese politicians, and anniversaries like these few days, are justified. Going too far beyond that will just be laying it on thick imo
How could you forget the hurt if every once in a while some people rub salt into old wound.
Even if those people are not the exact person that make the wound but it would still hurt.
It is important that these revisionist lot recognize and would not repeat the same mistake.
China has been repeatedly emphasizing friendship and 以史为鉴 (learning lesson from example in history) to Japan for decades. Increasing it became obvious that they do not care.
Even if those people are not the exact person that make the wound but it would still hurt.
It is important that these revisionist lot recognize and would not repeat the same mistake.
China has been repeatedly emphasizing friendship and 以史为鉴 (learning lesson from example in history) to Japan for decades. Increasing it became obvious that they do not care.
solarz
Brigadier
Exactly!
airsuperiority
Captain
Very well said once again Solarz. I share the same thoughts as you in these matters, especially my impression of Japan. If aside from the older generation and right wing politicians, Japan and the people do share a lot of similarities with Canada, including pacifism, politeness, manners, quality ethics, emphasis and respect for cultures. These are things we all have a lot to learn from. There are reasons why Japan's goods and industries are so successful today. on the other hand, it is unfortunate Chinese have so much unnecessary hatred towards Japan. We keep getting stuck in the mentality of the old days and refuses to move forward and learn and appreciate. We boasted how great we are but there are so much we are still are inept and lack of when compared to them.
"Respect for other cultures" I wish to dispute. Take a look at translated Japanese online netizen comments and you'll see just how "respectful" they are of other cultures. Here's a good place to start;
China does not have any "unnecessary" hatred of Japan, China has "justified" hatred of Japan's ATTITUDE. I seriously wonder what Japanese would feel if Chinese invades their country, massacre a dozen million civilians and leave without leaving so much as an apology. Any country who does not feel hatred towards another which has done this to them is devoid of emotions to say the least. China has been waiting for a sincere apology since 1945, many victims of Japanese cruelty are still alive today, I wish for their sake that they will be able to witness an apology before they leave this earth forever. Unfortunately, with the current situation as it is and the US continuing to fuel Japanese ego by supporting their revisionist "history", I doubt the victims would be able to witness an apology ever in their lifetimes; in fact, I doubt China and Korea will ever be able to receive a heart-felt apology from Japan.
Where did you get this from? This is a lie from the pit of hell. I deify you to find one textbook in the US with revisionist history about the Japanese behavior during WWII or before and in Nanjing...You will not find one used in any classroom.
Do some of you make this stuff up or what? Get a clue.
I read it as "their" as in the Japanese revisionism not the US's.
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