When Will World War II End in Japan?

Foreign Policy ^ | Aug 15 | By Alexander Wooley

[RandFan]

Silence on the official history of 1939 to 1945 has led to a flowering of creative interpretations.

When did World War II end? Or, when will World War II end? This may seem a rhetorical question to most, with Aug. 15 marking the 80th anniversary of V-J Day (Victory Over Japan Day).

On that date, Japan supposedly surrendered unconditionally. Few realize, however, that the state of war between the Allies and Japan did not legally end until years later with the Treaty of San Francisco, which was signed in September 1951 and took effect in 1952. That treaty did not include the Soviet Union, which attended but did not sign the agreement. The Soviets and Japan, through a joint declaration in 1956, reestablished diplomatic relations and ended hostilities, but to this date (and with Russia in the place of the Soviet Union) have never signed a peace treaty. Ongoing disputes, such as over the Kuril Islands, remain.

“Unconditional surrender” may have a ring of finality and totality to it, but in Japan it was never so. When Japan assented to the Potsdam Declaration, issued by the United States, United Kingdom, and China in July 1945, the terms called only for the surrender of the armed forces, and for some parts of the country to be occupied. As Richard Overy describes in his new book, Rain of Ruin, the Japanese emperor’s address on Aug. 15, 1945, did not even include the word “surrender.” Two days after V-J Day, when the Japanese were still lobbying to avoid having mainland Japan occupied in its entirety and protesting having to turn over their overseas embassies to the United States, it was clear their interpretation of Potsdam differed from that of the Americans.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Conspiracy; History
KEYWORDS: japan; surrender; ww2

[RandFan]

Fascinating. I hadn't heard of the treaty in 1952? Was this after the Korean war? Which some suggest is the true forgotten war...

-- Just had a quick look. Korean War ended in '53 🤔

[ansel12]

The Korean War had its day and it wasn’t as dark and negative as the media treatment of Vietnam.

Vietnam is so dark that if you think back to the modern sitcoms and cartoon shows with the dad, or uncle being a war vet, none of them were ever Vietnam vets, instead they would make him a Korean War vet, is grandpa ever a Vietnam vet, even now?

[logi_cal869]

The story of Edward Lansdale is more interesting...

[equaviator]

World War II is over. It’s the aftermath we’re still dealing with.

[7.62mm]

FYI: The Web page blocks access if you have ad blockers and/or VPN. I haven’t found a way around the prohibitions.

Interesting article, wish I could read all of it...

Have a blessed day!

[PIF]

World War II is over. It’s the aftermath we’re still dealing with.

—
The aftermath being mainly Russia

[dfwgator]

And our other “ally” from that war....China.

[gundog]

”It ends when the US surrenders unconditionally.”

[kabar]

We influenced the Japanese Constitution (Article 9), which essentially limits the ability of Japan to have an armed forces beyond defensive capabilities. Time for Japan to build a robust military to counter the Chinese.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I loved Jerry Lewis!

[gundog]

Hey, lady!....that’s Vito Scotti.

[libertylover]

On that date, Japan supposedly surrendered unconditionally.

Except the Emperor was not to be tried for war crimes.

[Conan the Librarian]

One of the GREATEST character actors to have had the privilege to see.

[DIRTYSECRET]

-World War II is over. It’s the aftermath we’re still dealing with.-

Chicoms-payback.

[fidelis]

From Mark Felton Productions:

Japanese Jungle Holdouts - The Soldiers That Ignored VJ Day

[gundog]

[GingisK]

...is grandpa ever a Vietnam vet, even now?

Don't remember any in TV shows, but many movies are based on Vietnam Vets.

[ansel12]

Movies would have nothing to do with light TV fair, but do you notice why Vietnam vet is used in the movies, it isn’t used purely for patriotism, or for lightheartedness, it is always used to brand the character, as a psycho, or possibly unsafe, or to indicate his ability to fight. A beloved and sweet grandpa or dad in a movie or sitcom could always be a WWII vet or a Korea vet.

Even in light hearted TV shows a man could be a WWII vet or a Korean War vet, but Vietnam vet is too dark for sitcoms and sitcom like, cartoon shows.

[GingisK]

To a large degree, you are right. There are a few exceptions like:

We Were Soldiers
Good Morning, Vietnam
Operation Dumbo Drop
Air America
Faith of My Fathers
Rescue Dawn

[NorthMountain]

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Foce looks an awful lot like a classy medium sized Navy with some real blue water capability, designed for joint operations with the United States Navy.

The Japan Air Self Defense Force looks an awful lot like a small well equipped Air Force with some power-projection capability, designed for joint operations with the United States Air Force.

The Japan Ground Self Defense Force, at least, looks like its task and purpose is defending the homeland. It doesn't appear to have much expeditionary capability.