Japanese politician launches attack on 'River Kwai' Britons

The Telegraph ^ | 8/26/2010 | Chris Irvine

[bruinbirdman]

Politician tipped as a future Japanese prime minister has said the British are not very likeable, but admitted the way British prisoners marched in The Bridge on the River Kwai demonstrated their best qualities.

Ichiro Ozawa, the former secretary-general of Japan’s ruling Democratic Party, also said he values US democracy but dismissed the American people as “simple-minded”.

Ichiro Ozawa

The 68-year-old veteran politician, who resigned as the second most important official in the ruling party in June after coming under fire for campaign finance scandals, reportedly said: “I don’t like British people,” before praising British democracy and their discipline, citing the 1957 Second World War II film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, in which British prisoners of war march in orderly ranks.

The film, based on the novel The Bridge over the River Kwai starred Sir Alec Guinness, William Holden and Jack Hawkins. Guinness won an Oscar for his portrayal of Colonel Nicholson, who convinces the other British prisoners of war to build a bridge for the Burma-Siam railway as a means of boosting British morale but which eventually turns into a monument to himself. The film won six other Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Veterans of the Second World War who fought against Japan said Mr Ozawa’s comments about Britain were insensitive but they would “not get into a sweat about it”.

John Weeks, 92, secretary of the Burma Star Association, an organisation for those who fought in the Burma campaign against Japan, said: “I don’t like this, I must say. He is just having a go at us but I think we should just let that sort of thing pass us by.”

The former soldier, who served as a captain in the Royal Artillery in Burma, added: “The Japanese are clever people there’s

[Ronin]

Oh Gawd...

If there was ever any doubt that Ozawa is a totally clueless bonehead, this last week kills them.

I am firmly convinced that Ozawa and his scandals was THE biggest reason the DPJ lost the recent Upper House election. Number two was the overall total incompetence of the Hatoyama administration.

Yet, in spite this rebuke, and unwilling to give Nobuto Kan a chance to revive DPJ fortunes, Ozawa is determined to call in all his chits and muscle his way into the party Presidency and thus the Prime Ministry.

This is just as much of an “in your face” Ef-Off!!! to the Japanese public as Obama and the Dims ramming health care past the tonsils of the American public.

I imagine they will express their displeasure the same way Americans are going to in November — when they get their chance next.

[Bobalu]

dismissed the American people as “simple-minded”

After watching the American people elect a creature like 0bama I find it hard to argue with the statement...sigh :-(

[PzLdr]

How clever could the Japanese have been to go to war in Malaya, Burma and the jungles of the South Pacific without coming up with a submachinegun?

[infowarrior]

How clever could the Japanese have been to go to war in Malaya, Burma and the jungles of the South Pacific without coming up with a submachinegun?

Japan had actually developed their own submachinegun, which was not a bad weapon. They just didn't field enough of them to make a difference...

the infowarrior

[Finalapproach29er]

dismissed the American people as “simple-minded
********
Isn’t generalizing a trait of the simple minded?

Not too sophisticated Ichiro-san s/

[ltc8k6]

I thought that everyone knew that the movie bore pretty much no resemblance to reality whatsoever?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_on_the_River_Kwai#Historical_accuracy

As far as Americans being simpletons...well, just look at what we did in November 2008...

[VanShuyten]

"Two nukes were not enough..."

They were just enough.

[cynwoody]

Ichiro Ozawa, the former secretary-general of Japan’s ruling Democratic Party, also said he values US democracy but dismissed the American people as “simple-minded”.

The evidence is on Ozawa's side.

[VanShuyten]

"They’re all bravado, no substance."

Born to Conserve

"...dismissed the American people as “simple-minded ******** Isn’t generalizing a trait of the simple minded?

Finalapproach29er

[rob777]

"If McCain has truly been converted to a conservative then Palin will shine. If he goes back to his RINO maverick ways it will be a curse on her, ..."


I am more concerned for her support for Cap and Trade and the Law of the Sea Treaty as Governor and TARP as a VP candidate, than I am her support for McCain. A McCain conversion will do nothing to lessen those concerns.

[rob777]

Sorry, wrong thread. :-(

[dfwgator]

I miss Koizumi, coolest Prime Minister, ever.

[CholeraJoe]

They’re all bravado, no substance.

My father fought the Japanese in the Pacific during WWII. He had immense respect for their bravery, innovation and fighting ability.

[SunkenCiv]

he's challenging another born loser, Naoto Kan, for the leadership. Kan wants to double the Japanese VAT.

• Japan PM warns of eventual default if debt not fixed (Even one of our biggest debtors has problems)
• New Japan Prime Minister Warns Country May Default
• Japan: [PM] Kan's election greeted by yawn overseas
• Major Setback for Japan's Ruling Party in Midterm Vote -- The results, if they hold up with further tallying, would be an embarrassing reversal for the Democrats, which last year ended the Liberal Democrats' long grip on power with a historic election victory, but then got mired in money scandals and a dispute over an American air base.

Ichiro Ozawa

Google

Thanks bruinbirdman.