Comments on: Japan’s Apologies to China

By: Lobsang

Lobsang — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:28:38 +0000

What Japan has done on Chinese is exactly what China has done in recent years in Tibet, since the invasion of Tibet in 1959 to Present!
This is a vicious cycle that China is not admitting. When Tibetan or Chinese protest against the CCPs (Chinese Communist Party) various cruel policies, The CCP is quick to use brutal forces to crush these peaceful protest. But when there is “anti-japanese” or anti-non-CCP protest is happened in China, it is well documented that CCP’s agent provocateur, provokes and encourages these protest. This what CCP has been known to do well when they see the anger of the mass coming their way, CCP uses “Patriotic lingo” to charge their youngsters and their mass to vent their angers at some other source, as long as its not the CCP.

This article shows in clear precision how the Chinese Communist Government manipulates and regulates its Citizens opinion.

http://clearharmony.net/articles/200508/28229.html

As a Tibetan but more importantly as a Human being, it is common sense to REALIZE that What Japan has done in the past is very sad and inhumane but What China has done and is still doing in Tibet is Horrifyingly the same. This is hypocracy in action. The more than 150,000+ Tibetan refugees are the proof. We can’t live in our own country and we can’t escape our own country to seek freedom in Exile ( ex: Nangpa la shooting ).

By: Xu,Chong

Xu,Chong — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:36:49 +0000

Thanks for your important information. I am chinese. I really dont understand that our goverment always says that Japan had never made apologise to China… … It is not true. No war again.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 06:20:54 +0000

What exactly do you people want? Should the japanese prime minister fellate every single citizen of China and Korea? No matter what they say you’ll still say “NOT GOOD ENOUGH.” All it does is make you look immature.

The Japanese have issued enough verbal/written apologies to satisfy anyone sane. If you want to keep pressing them on the textbooks, fine. Good. That’s a practical matter that they are definitely in the wrong about. But continuing demands for apologies while ignoring or dismissing any that come is childish.

By: kb

kb — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:31:26 +0000

Great job compiling the apologies. Personally, I agree with you that they really mean very little and do not represent a full and unambiguous apology like those we can see everwhere in Germany.

I also agree with you that issuing or hearing statements like these are strangely unsatisfying and troubling.

However, unless China or the rest of Asia become as developed or as strong, economically and technologically, as Japan, it will be very difficult to see the Japanese becoming humble.

On the other hand, globalization and the increase use of English in Japan might enable the Japanese to appreciate how others around Japan view them, without the distortion of the Japanese media in translation.

By: bob

bob — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 05:27:57 +0000

Isamu,
I beg to differ with your arguments.
Yes, China is a communist country but it doesn’t mean Japan should not issue a formal written apology for its war atrocities. Apology by Japan has nothing to do with China being a Communist country. Do you mean that becasue China is a communist country, Japan should not issue a written apology? I find this kind of reasoning strange. I also disagree with your saying that ‘Even if a written apology did happen, I doubt that anyone in China would know’ Base on what evidence do you say this?

By: Isamu

Isamu — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:27:45 +0000

Bob,

I think that people seem to forget that China is a communist country. Japan could apologize all day, and I think it would have very little effect. Even if a written apology did happen, I doubt that anyone in China would know.

Communist countries need a scapecoat for internal problems. Protest about Japan are fine, but if those same protest were directed at the Chinese government, they wouldn’t even be reported by the Chinese media.

I really really don’t believe that it’s all about an apology. And about the textbook thing, which I understand, but really don’t… Dose anyone really think that Japanese have no idea what went on during the war? I mean really… C’mon. Its also silly to think that Japanese people are happy about it.

By: bob

bob — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:21:15 +0000

I have read all the English and Japanese versions of the apologies and have the following observations:
1. Difficult to know whether Japan is really sincere in its apologies. Because they seldom use the Japanese word “owabi”(apology) and only in 3 occasions in which 2 were directed to Korea. The apologies were worded very carefully to avoid any embarrassment to Japan.
The Japanese word used very frequently in these apologies is “hansei” which literally means “reflection”. These apologies indicate that Japan doesn’t really want to apologize but in order to pacify the neighbouring countries Japan has no option but to apologize in a rather reserved “aimai” manner. Please don’t forget Japan has killed millions of Chinese, Koreans and other Asians in the second world war. These countries deserve a more formal, written apology from Japan. No country in the world has killed more people than Japan has in the second world war. Besides, most victims were civilians and were brutally massacred.

2. There is no written apologies to China, but to Korea only. Strange. Any one knows why?

By: Linktastic II | Life In Suzhou China Blog | Adventures of the Humanaught

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:53:30 +0000

[...] Japan’s Apologies to China – Interestingly enough, this site is blocked in China and you’ll need to visit this Anonymouse’d link if you’re in The Zhong. This post is a list of apologies Japan has made over the years regarding their cruel and imperialistic nature during the 1930s and 40s. I think the kicker to the post is Muninn’s comment that sort of sums up the situation from both angles: … part of my reason for posting this was so we can look beyond the number of 17 or 21 or whatever statements of regret or apologies. As you can see, these statements vary considerably in their wording and their reluctance to concede Japan’s role during the war. I agree the apology issue should die, but I’m as concerned as anyone about the increasing attempt by revisionists and their growing number of supporters amongst conservatives in Japan to recreate a liberation-of-Asia narrative of their colonial and wartime history that leaves out the many horrible atrocities and oppressive nature of their colonial/occupation regimes. [...]

By: Jun Wang

Jun Wang — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 22:43:23 +0000

The apologies are not sincere! without the simple word ‘apologize’, they were only showing they are hypocritical.

By: Japan’s 21 Apologies to China « Waviaei

Japan’s 21 Apologies to China « Waviaei — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:50:39 +0000

[...] Muninn » Japan’s Apologies to China. Only had a glance look at it, but looks well wrote. [via Japan’s 21 Apologies To China] [...]

By: davidmichaelporter » Japan PM apologizes for WWII aggression

davidmichaelporter » Japan PM apologizes for WWII aggression — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:22:12 +0000

[...] Here is a list of apologies to China. Posted by davidmichaelporter | [...]

By: Richard Daehler, MA

Richard Daehler, MA — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:46:51 +0000

excellent summary.

By: David Nugi

David Nugi — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:05:58 +0000

The apology demanded seems to drag on and on. Both North Koreans and China still fiind time to throw rocks at Japan whenever it pleases to mantain the perception that it is the main aggressor in the asian circle. Japan has established funds to compensate victims and even gives aid to both countries. The nanjing massacre, the comfort women, and chemical attacks on China is repeatedly stated over the media . Japan has apologized 21 times so what is the real issue here? Is it because of fear that Japan is pushing for a greater power in the region through economic means and also submission to be the permanent member of UN security council?

Lets talk about the real meaning of this dragging of wartime past attrocities. Why cannot Japan China and North Korea form alliances to improve both social and economic infrastrues to develop its country. Can German apology and compensation to the Jewish race be a good example?

By: Lihua

Lihua — Tue, 03 May 2005 17:28:10 +0000

The wording of Japanese “remorse” doesn’t surprise me at all. Just remember the words President Clinton used after they “mistakenly” bombed the Chinese embassy in 1999. Also President Bush has never apologized for the misuse of intelligence. So much for the “beacon of freedom”.

By: Muninn

Muninn — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 00:39:43 +0000

Hmm…Jim, part of my reason for posting this was so we can look beyond the number of 17 or 21 or whatever statements of regret or apologies. As you can see, these statements vary considerably in their wording and their reluctance to concede Japan’s role during the war. I agree the apology issue should die, but I’m as concerned as anyone about the increasing attempt by revisionists and their growing number of supporters amongst conservatives in Japan to recreate a liberation-of-Asia narrative of their colonial and wartime history that leaves out the many horrible atrocities and oppressive nature of their colonial/occupation regimes.

As for China, the atrocities of Tibet are significant, and China is indeed not ready to come to terms with the horrible millions of deaths during the Great Leap Forward and cultural revolution. However, I would also guard against making a “calculus of atrocity” in which we compare the horrible policies of the end of the ’50s which led to millions of deaths mostly through starvation – and wartime atrocities in which individuals attacked non-combatants. It just isn’t a good game to play.

Finally, I don’t like anyone responding to accusations of “forgetting atrocities of the past” with “hey, you forgot yours too!” That doesn’t get us anywhere. We need to look at all of these things without regard to nation – as if we are in some kind of atrocity-spitting contest.