Skykid wrote:
I was under the impression it was the same can of worms (same war, right?) The Koreans are especially pissed.
Not necessarily. The Korean Annexation just had it's 100 year anniversary. The Nanking Massacre occurred in 1937 (in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War) according to
Wikipedia. These are all pretty much referred to generally as "the events leading up to WWII". Just think what Asia would be like now had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor.
I was also under the impression the recent visit (last year?) to the Yasukuni Shrine was considered insulting by victims due to its low profile and fleetingness.
All of them have been considered "insulting" to someone. The big stink came (at least the one that I remember) when Koizumi went there, as PM (not as an individual) and pissed off the rest of Asia. It is always a big deal as that's where those war criminals are technically "remembered".
Of course, this will be going on for fucking ever in this region. When I first moved back, in 2007, the King of China or whomever came to Japan in a move to tighten trade between the two nations (which worked, mind you). He said that Japan needs to come clean about their actions in the past (this is probably referring to a more specific apology) and blah blah blah. 2 weeks later China is world famous for killing puppies with shit dog food, toys tainted with lead paint, and other shit that happens b/c China simply doesn't have it's shit together as an industrialized nation. Ironic thing is I have tons of Chinese friends in the US & a few here, and just like Japan, as individuals most are noteworthy. Where the wheels come off in politics (and organization in at least Japan's case) is beyond me.
The sino-Japanese war is practically still current affairs. If we were talking in 150 years it'd be like "whatever, shit happens."
Indeed. Now I won't defend anything that happened but I see any of those shenanigans of the time of Japan's side as that typical style of thought that exists today. A few dick heads up top and everyone falls into place under them. It was not democratic, after all. Find an educated former Yugoslavian and anyone that won't bullshit you (although I assume most will) will tell you it was the same thing there in the 90s. The peasants, if you will, completely manipulated by their "leaders". Also a very, very fucked up situation (that a lot of the world turned a cold shoulder to) that was definitely recent history. Fuck... I remember it. I went there when I was 18. Shit my pants almost.
I like my history, but despite it being the largest Asian conflict of the last century I learned little to nothing about the Sino-Japanese War. It was well hidden.
Unless it has to do with money, most people don't study Asia. I find the history of most countries frighteningly dense and LONG. It's very hard for westerners to relate to as well. It's a seriously fucked part of the world in a lot of ways. The whole North Korean kidnapping idea really opened my eyes to how crazy this place is.
I... find that a little hard to chew on. That's the "official" reason perhaps, but the lack of candidness regarding the whole shitstorm has long been a bone of contention. Taking it out of the history books cos Japanese people committed inhuman civilian slaughter during wartime seems the more likely reason behind it.
Well, I laugh at the education system in general. If the PM and Emperor both apologize, and the "official committee" agree that Japan was at fault, obviously there's at least some face they're trying to save. But don't cast judgement until you really know the whole story. The education system is pretty fucked up in a lot of ways. I don't know how the history stuff works per se, but as a whole, it is regarded as a system that "does no promote thinking". So, take that as you will. I do recall my history class being a bit watered down. Everyone knows about the holocaust in the west, but my teacher pointed out that Mao Tse Tung killed way more of his own people.
