Posted on 12/22/2005 2:33:58 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
JAPANESE Emperor Akihito has called on Japan to "accurately understand" its history at the end of a year marked by criticism abroad that the country fails to atone for its militarist past.
In an interview marking his 72nd birthday today, the Emperor said "there were rarely peaceful times" in the 20 years to 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allies to end World War II.
"I believe it is extremely important for the Japanese people to strive to accurately understand this past history along with the ensuing era," Akihito said.
"This is also important when the Japanese people interact with other peoples of the world," he added in the interview held recently with the Imperial Palace press corps for publication today.
The past year has been cluttered with ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the war's end.
Japan came under intense fire from its neighbours throughout the year about how it perceives its past aggression.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi again visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honours the Japanese war dead including convicted war criminals.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko toured the Pacific island of Saipan in June, their first overseas trip solely to pay respects to the war dead.
He said he felt "heavy-hearted as I thought of the severe combat 61 years ago."
Akihito also used the interview to praise "major roles" by women in Japan's royal family, in a carefully worded comment. The country is moving to break with more than two centuries of male-only rule.
He refused to clarify his view on a recent proposal by a government panel to allow women to ascend the throne of the world's oldest monarchy.
The imperial household law, first enforced in 1889 and revised after World War II, maintains a male-only succession rule.
"I believe women have played major roles, both tangible or intangible, in the imperial family," Akihito said when asked about the possibility of a female monarch.
No boys have been born to the world's oldest monarchy for 40 years, putting intense pressure on Crown Princess Masako to produce a male heir.
Masako, a 42-year-old former career diplomat, has been recovering from a disorder blamed by royal doctors on her difficulty in adjusting to royal life. She and Crown Prince Naruhito, 45, have one child Princess Aiko, who turned four this month.
Akihito, tutored by an American woman in his youth, said the presence of women in the imperial household brings "some very good elements" such as warmth and encouragement.
"In this sense, I am pleased to see the Crown Princess's health gradually improve. And I am awaiting her further recovery," he said.
The imperial household's year was crowned with the late marriage of the Emperor's only daughter Sayako, 36, in November to a Tokyo metropolitan city planner. Because of male-only succession, Sayako lost her imperial status.
"Various tasks have kept my days busy so that I do not feel there has been that much change," the Emperor said. "Although the Empress may miss her most, she cares about me more than ever."
The time has been long overdue for the Japanese to accept their criminal behaviour in World War II and apologise to those who suffered at their hands.
I love how you people spell "apologise". You do need to knock it off with the "zed" nonsense though.
They've been apologizing for at LEAST the last 40 years. Haven't you paid attention?
Most of them haven't even recognised what they did. The Emperor's comments pretty much back that up.
What do you mean "Zed nonsense"? Your're not suggesting we start with the Zee thing, are you? :)
Heck yes, I am. Zed sounds like an evil alien or something. :-)
It's taken most of the year, but I think we may have stumbled upon THE issue of 2005...
Is this all about how the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
JAPANESE Emperor Akihito has called on Japan to "accurately understand" its history ............REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR! (Paul Tibbets) ........accurate enough?
I feel very sorry for Princess Masako. She was well on in middle age when she married the Crown Prince, and then being immediately under pressure to have a son ... so terribly stressful.
I thought the Emperor's statement sounded apologetic, although it certainly wasn't detailed. He seems like a real gentleman. Of course, it's hard to say with Japanese ... straightforward openness isn't exactly their strong point!
They've never apologised. They've said it was regrettable, they've said their past actions hinder diplomacy, and they've said they were excessive. They have NEVER come out and said "We apologise" or "We're sorry" or anything remotely similar.
Ping
A carefully orchestrated public speaking engagement to a very select group of reporters who are then told what they can and can not report. I'd fall asleep...
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
When the Japanese "apologise" it is like someone who made a racist slur and then realizes that a black person overheard and took offense. The person "apologizes" to avoid a confrontation. He's not really sorry he said it. He is just trying to defuse a conflict.
The Japanese still believe their old wartime propaganda. Their school history books praise the "advance" of their soldiers into China and question whether the Rape of Nanking ever actually happenned. It would be as if German school history textbooks were written by Holocaust deniers and Neo-Nazis and German generals and politicians wanted to build a monument to Heydrich in Prague and laid wreaths at the graves of SS men.
I've been married to a Japanese woman for 18 years ...and she NEVER says she is " sorry " when she's wrong . It's always MY fault . ;)
15. It happens now and then.
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