Japanese War Apologies
Tuesday, April 12, 2005 Posted: 11:59 AM JST
The past week has seen violent anti-Japan demonstrations in China and Korea. There appears to be a strong undercurrent of anti-Japanese feelings in these countries. Surprisingly, especially among people too young to have any experience of the Second World War. This requires careful thought and a discussion of Japanese war apologies.
Although portrayed in the popular press mainly as unfinished business of WWII, I believe it is important to realize that these are the symptoms of a new balance of power emerging in Asia. Never before has there been a strong China and Japan at the same time, let alone a strong Korea. As we are moving towards this new reality we will enter uncharted territory with all the dangers that encompasses.
Japan now has territorial disputes with all its neighbors: China, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan. Will these countries be able to solves these disputes in a peaceful way that satisfies all? One important aspect will be how Japan's neighbors interpret the Japanese will to resolve outstanding issues of the Pacific War: war apologies and reparations.
To help in fostering a discussion on this and to create a place where Japanese apologies can be easily found, I have created a new category, "War Apologies". Here I will start to list any Japanese apology I am aware of. Please send me other ones if you find one missing. And add your comments, or send me your essays, to discuss why this enormously long list of apologies is still not enough, as claimed by many critics of Japan. Or why you think it is enough.
Recommended reading:
Japan Apologetic: Prisoner of the past?
Political Hara-Kiri: The danger of keeping Japan in its place
Keywords: war_apologies opinion_item political_news
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