"Japanese PM sends offering to controversial war shrine..." Topic

… on WWII anniversary.

"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a sacred tree branch as an offering to the Yasukuni military shrine on Monday to mark the 71st anniversary of the end of World War II.

The offering was presented in Abe's name as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), rather than as prime minister.

"This was out of respect to those who gave their lives for the country," said Yasutoshi Nishimura, an LDP aide.

Abe did not visit the shrine personally, perhaps in an effort to thwart controversy with neighboring countries China and South Korea. His last visit to the shrine in 2013 drew sharp remarks from both countries…"
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Amicalement
Armand

I think it is high time Japan and Germany stop worrying about offending people. The future aggression of China will likely explode into something far worse than what Japan was once capable of doing.

Guys went and died because their country asked them to.
That should be honoured and remembered no matter which side.

I think we're far enough along we don't have to worry about remembrance being a focus for resistance to the victors.

You probably didn't have family members who were enslaved, tortured, raped, starved and murdered by the Japanese.

Easy for you to say "move on". You shouldn't try telling that to an entire continent of people who still remember.

This by it self is not a big deal. This together with all the other militaristic stuff this guy and his party has done. It's worrisome.

It was moving along so well with adults playing nicely then someone says…and its acrimonious.

Do we honour the sacrifice of soldiers, peoples, families or is it the politics of the era that rankles and would have some sit in perpetual limbo because there is feeling amongst others that their side had the moral high mark.

If we cannot honour our war dead as the vanquished whatever the ideals of their times, can the victors be allowed the same?

We have to move on I agree, forget no, understand yes, remember the lost, and try our very best to not repeat.

The Japanese it seems may have not totally "embraced" their WWII atrocity record as the Germanys have, IMO … Generally AFAIK they were teaching mostly about the time period just before and then after the 2 A-bombs were dropped. It may have changed ?

Regardless both the Japanese and Germans are very good allies to the West. So that seems to speaks volumes. And as always, never forget the lessons of history …

They've done hardly anything in a region where two nations are being extremely belligerent and aggressive, Gunfreak, e.g. China and North Korea.

The former is seizing territory illegally, and threatening to do more, while conducting a huge naval, air, and military buildup, and the Norks are creating nuke warheads and firing off ballistic missiles in the direction of Japan on a regular basis.

It's about time they stand up and prepare for their own defense.

Glad to see that they are. I encourage them to do more, since if not they'll be at the mercy of their opponents.

After 70+ years, I have no issue with this.

I wonder what Americans would say if Japan demanded we rewrite parts of our constitution for their benefit?

Some of you guys may not be aware that this isn't just a typical cemetery or a war memorial to soldiers drafted into WWII.

The Yasukuni shrine is where the Japanese buried/interred those military officers who were executed by the Allies for war crimes. 1,068 war criminals to be exact.

Hideki Tojo is there.

Would you guys be happy if the German government went and laid a wreath every year at Hitler's grave? (for sake if argument)

Same apologists for the Japanese war crimes… see ThePeninsularWarin15mm

re: The future aggression of China will likely explode into something far worse than what Japan was once capable of doing.

That is a real ignorant comment!

You ever ever hear of Bataan death march or the Nanking massacre?

I wonder what Americans would say if Japan demanded we rewrite parts of our constitution for their benefit?

You mean after WWII ? The US rebuilding of Japan, like Germany was to prevent either of them going on an Imperialistic "bender" again. And preventing them for going Communist.

I think the US Marshal or "Mac's" plans have demonstrated few negatives for both locations. Today and for decades past, both are economic "powerhouses", so to speak. With Germany reportedly having one of the best economies in Europe. And the Japanese don't appear to be doing too bad for themselves either.

The companies that made weapons for the IJF as selling their cars, etc., here in the US "like hot cakes". And something similarly can be said about Germany. The interdependencies of economies is pretty clear. And a win – win for all involved.

So what do you find "bad" ?

Berzerker73,

"Same apologists for the Japanese war crimes… see ThePeninsularWarin15mm"

The Japanese showing respect for their dead is not support of war crimes. You've tied a negative emotional argument to a sign of respect for the dead. If you're not mature enough to respect the dead and twist it into some political argument than that says far more about what you support than it does me.

Legion –
I find that the question of whether Japan should be rearming for offensive military operations should be left to Japan.

I was not aware of that, but respect for one's own dead isn't a bad thing.

Hopefully, the Japanese see the error of the ways of previous leadership, and won't make the same mistakes again.

On a somewhat related note, Japan is going to boost their spending on defense, to counter China's spending binge.

Yasukuni is a bit of a sore spot due to the fact that not only are there lots of Class A War Criminals enshrined there, but there are also Koreans and Chinese that "died for the Emperor" enshrined there against the wishes of their families. Oh, and the shrine refuses to remove them, saying it can't be done (when all other Shinto shrines will).

Beautiful place, to tell you the truth (it was two blocks from the university I went to in 2011-12), got some great pictures of the Cherry Blossoms there.

But it's very much a place of "say no ill of the dead."

I find that the question of whether Japan should be rearming for offensive military operations should be left to Japan.

Well that is true to a point. The Japanese are going to depend on the USA for some of their defense and if need be … to conduct offensive operations.

Like the (West)Germans eventually were rearmed and refitted, etc., to if need be, defend and possibly counter-attack across the inter-German border.

To defend against their neighbors across the sea, the North Koreans and maybe the PRC. It would be prudent for Japan to upgrade, etc. And be prepared for some of the worst contingencies. Or do they think like some in Europe, that the US should or can do this all by themselves ?

ThePeninsularWarin15mm,

I get your point that each country should be able to honor their war dead.

I just took exception with the comment about 'The future aggression of China will likely explode into something far worse than what Japan was once capable of doing.'

That seems to be an absurd argument, so the war crimes Japan has already committed is better than some future aggression China might commit?

You might want to look at Japan's record in WWII, I think it speaks for itself.

It's a complex issue. Basically Japan is totally out of order with regard to acknowledging its behaviour in WW2.

You get apologies like 'we regret that a lot of people died – it is so sad' when it should be more like, 'Japanese military and civilians willfully murdered, starved, enslaved, tortured, raped and experimented on innocent people and helpless POWs for over a decade. It is a crime that can never be forgotten or forgiven. We will live in shame in perpetuity for what was done.'

It is a small step in the right direction that Abe did not attend as PM. Most Japanese are utterly ignorant and many are downright in denial about what happened in WW2. If anything it is getting worse. The recently elected female mayor of Tokyo has some pretty repugnant views on this topic.

I agree with what you have posted here Skarper. And many of the IJF's war crimes, etc., are well known. If researched, etc., …

In the book "War Without Mercy". The author outlined these crimes. And that blatant "racism" was prevalent on both sides. Which as we know only makes any conflict ever worse. So I guess in both cases that really is not a surprise.

It is well known, you generally had a much better chance to survive as a POW of the Germans than the Japanese. And it must be remembered how horribly the Chinese were treated by the Japanese. As well as the heinous treatment of other Allies. The "ANZACs" especially. It may take a long time for the Allies to forget …

And did I hear correctly in the media, that the Emperor wanted to step down ? And/or the position abolished ?

By wars end, when it came time to exchange POW's, the Japanese could find a total of 56 living chinese POWs.

That's after years of war.

It's a complex issue. Basically Japan is totally out of order with regard to acknowledging its behaviour in WW2.

Yup. They don't teach anything that happened between 1941 and 1945, so the typical Japanese civilian thinks that the Mukden Incident and the Rape of Nanking are total fabrications.

The first step in fixing a problem is to admit you have one. I don't think the Japanese have generally done that.

Japan is perhaps the most egregious denier of its past crimes, but are far from the only one. Recent revelations about British colonial repression in Kenya are very disturbing. Growing up in Britain we are encouraged to think the Empire was a jolly good thing without any negative side at all.

The British do have open discussions about our history. The Japanese don't. Worth remembering that South Korea actually had better relations with China than Japan…

"And did I hear correctly in the media, that the Emperor wanted to step down ? And/or the position abolished ?"

Step down and his son take his place.

Thanks Marc … the Emperor is really just a figurehead, more tradition than anything else, AFAIK …

The Emperor is the ceremonial head of Japan, he doesn't wield any actual power.

Rather like when the Shogun ruled, but the Shogun's title these days is "Prime Minister".

That is what I thought … but some "traditions" take time to get over.