Japanese Prime Minister Says Japan Should Not Have to Keep Apologizing for WWII

[Dashinka 23,190]

I wonder if this will come to pass? Japan certainly paid a big price for what they did, but for some reason, I am not sure if China, Korea, or any of the other countries involved will ever forget.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3199103/Japan-marks-70th-anniversary-VJ-Day-Prime-Minister-admits-immeasurable-suffering-country-caused-buts-sparks-fury-says-shouldn-t-apologising-forever.html

[Expat1 971]

After 70 years almost nobody is left alive from that time to apologize to.

Maybe it's time to move on.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I get that Japan behaved badly in WWII. I don't get the cultural refusal to acknowledge it. Japan indeed paid a heavy price at the time for their bad actions so it's a little bit complicated in terms of what victimized Countries actually want Japan to do or say that could possibly make it all better.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

The same cultural refusal to acknowledge the wrong doing done to slaves and their descendants right here in the U.S. is why. Pride, ignorance and a sense of dominance.

[Expat1 971]

Don't forget innocence. Why should someone who was neither there nor involved apologize to someone else who was neither there nor involved?

Sounds like the pride and dominance are with those who demand apology for "wrongs" that they did not actually experience.

Edited August 15, 2015 by Expat1

[Jacque67 7,328]

Saw the VJ parade in London several hours ago.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Several generations after the war you'd hope people aren't living with the prejudices of their ancestors. Sadly, the hiroshima thread proved otherwise.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Precisely. No different from those who claim heritage over wars in which they didn't participate.

Don't forget innocence. Why should someone who was neither there nor involved apologize to someone else who was neither there nor involved?

Sounds like the pride and dominance are with those who demand apology for "wrongs" that they did not actually experience.

[JohnR! 5,495]

There are always those who insist on being on the wrong side of history. To their defense one can only say that since they lack knowledge of history, they couldn't really pick a side by design - their position, as always, based on sheer prejudice and unmitigated ignorance.

Fortunately, the rest of us know better and will continue to educate the less aware whenever and wherever possible.

Several generations after the war you'd hope people aren't living with the prejudices of their ancestors. Sadly, the hiroshima thread proved otherwise.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There are always those who insist on being on the wrong side of history. To their defense one can only say that since they lack knowledge of history, they couldn't really pick a side by design - their position, as always, based on sheer prejudice and unmitigated ignorance.

Fortunately, the rest of us know better and will continue to educate the less aware whenever and wherever possible.

I think everyone has a duty to commemorate the atrocities of past wars, especially when their country was involved. You can't move on by glossing over the past.

I don't blame the Japanese any more than the Germans and as a Briton I recognise that there are a lot of people who suffered because of Britain's imperial ambitions. The US isn't there yet, the whole confederate flag thing being a case in point.

[JohnR! 5,495]

We'll keep reminding them lest they forget.

I think everyone has a duty to commemorate the atrocities of past wars, especially when their country was involved. You can't move on by glossing over the past.

I don't blame the Japanese any more than the Germans and as a Briton I recognise that there are a lot of people who suffered because of Britain's imperial ambitions. The US isn't there yet, the whole confederate flag thing being a case in point.

[Expat1 971]

You can't move on by glossing over the past.

I don't blame the Japanese any more than the Germans and as a Briton I recognise that there are a lot of people who suffered because of Britain's imperial ambitions.

We don't move on. We celebrate our freedom over Britain's imperial ambitions every July

[GandD 5,966]

We don't move on. We celebrate our freedom over Britain's imperial ambitions every July

The United States and Briton have (arguably) a closer and stronger relationship than nearly any other two countries in the world. Looks like we have moved on.

[Dashinka 23,190]

I think everyone has a duty to commemorate the atrocities of past wars, especially when their country was involved. You can't move on by glossing over the past.

I don't blame the Japanese any more than the Germans and as a Briton I recognise that there are a lot of people who suffered because of Britain's imperial ambitions. The US isn't there yet, the whole confederate flag thing being a case in point.

Completely agree, and reminds me of a quote "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it". Remembering history is a good way to teach future generations.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I think everyone has a duty to commemorate the atrocities of past wars, especially when their country was involved. You can't move on by glossing over the past.

I don't blame the Japanese any more than the Germans and as a Briton I recognise that there are a lot of people who suffered because of Britain's imperial ambitions. The US isn't there yet, the whole confederate flag thing being a case in point.

Is that why you called July 4 happy traitor day SMH