Posted on 03/28/2005 11:01:28 AM PST by nickcarraway
Drafts of a new edition of a history textbook used in Japanese schools have again sparked waves of criticism.
Japan's Asian neighbours including China and the Republic of Korea say they have been "deeply hurt" by the "twisted history" in the school books which "again" fail to mention the atrocities the Japanese committed during World War II.
The People's Daily, one of the largest circulated newspapers in China, published an article on Friday, saying the books "greatly hurt the feeling of the Asian people" and expressed outrage in an editorial.
The paper cited ROK's decision to internationalize the Japanese history textbook issue as "a very necessary measure," saying "it is a powerful counter blow to Japanese right wing's aggressive action."
The paper said the current situation indicated that it is hard to resolve the textbook issue within the bilateral jurisdiction and it would be a smart choice to go to the international level.
It noted that 2005 is the 60th anniversary of World War II "an anti-fascist war" and said it would be "very significant to let the international community learn more about the truth of Japanese invasion history."
Overseas Chinese are also planning to buy an entire page advertisement in New York Times, opposing Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, reported another popular Chinese newspaper, China Youth Daily.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been arguing in recent days against Japan's bid on the Internet, demanding Japan heed its past atrocities first.
The ROK Government said it will raise a proposal about the textbooks at international conferences, including the conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It has said it will take other measures to force Japan to correct the wrongs.
The textbooks are inspected every four years in April by the Japanese Government. They are used during history lessons at all middle schools in Japan.
The latest edition of the disputed textbook, which was written by a group of "right-wing" Japanese academics, was approved in 2001 for use in high schools - despite strong protests from neighbouring countries.
ROK non-governmental organizations vowed to work together with its counterparts in Japan as well as the international community to prevent the approval of the new textbook.
There are media reports from the ROK detailing the controversy. US representative Lane Evans said on Thursday that he and 13 other representatives are working hard to push forward the resolution calling on Japan to apologize for the sexual enslavement of young women in Asia who were used as "comfort women" by Japanese troops during World War II.
In the press briefing held in congress the same day, which was also witnessed by some former "comfort women," Evans said Japan is one of the leading countries that has not shown any sincerity in taking the responsibility for its historical actions.
He said it was quite shocking to see the Japanese Government has not fully apologized and compensated the "comfort women" 60 years after World War II.
I could say something, but it would not be politically correct, so I will restrain myself.
What do the Japanese call Americans ?
If there is a slur that can be used (and there is), does that justify rightwingcpa?
WE were taught that Pres George Washington ,as a boy admitted to chopping down a tree and thus proved that he had a trustworthy CHARARCTER
Yes, if Japan refused to face the TRUTH and worse still, CHANGE History by not mentioning ther WW2 evil deeds, then let Japan's neighbours beware, because by not admitting that those were WRONG they may have secret intentions to do it again.
This LACK of character by JApan is worrying, it will create FEAR and apprehension among its neighbours that the fanatical Japanese militants "Knights of the BUSHIDO" ae ALIVE and wel
My guess is that the Chinese reaction may be build up an ICBM force of at least 1000, with MIRV capability to be prepared for another Pearl Harbour but this time on Shanghai. Also 25 megaton warheads, as a deterent. Sun Tzu,"In peace, prepare for war, in war, prepare for peace" Unwitingly the Japanese might have stirred up an arms race
Does Japan possess the CHARACTER good and honorable to be a world leader. By George Washington standards? NO, NO, No
To Japan, "If you are Man enough to do it, be Man enough to face the music"
THAT is character
In the early 20th Century, Japanese schoolchildren and people were taught that they are "GOD's chosen people"
And that they had the DIVINE right to inflict atrocities no matter how cruel on non-Japanese, the "GOD's un-chosen peoples", or scum, in nazi terminology
The refusal to denounce this doctrine is creating suspicion and contempt by Japan's neighbours on Japanese secret intentions and new dreams of new military adventures
but this time, 10,000 25-megatonners warheads may be ready to respond to any new pearl harbours. May GOD have mercy on their souls
Evil to those who thinks evil
On this one, the Chinese have good reason to be upset. What the Japanese did in Nanjing was an atrocity on par with any other.
I'd say on this one the Japanese are bringing it on themselves.
I agree. Both Japan AND China should admit to their atrocities.
Yep. I do not know everything, but I do know that Japan handed Taiwan to the United States as well and was never turned over to anyone. In 1895 the Mancurians gave Taiwan to Japan which used it as a colony. In WWII it was used as a manufacturing base (slave labor) and a source of sex slaves, better known as Comfort Women. Anyway Taiwan shares a similar status that the Phillipines did after the Treaty of Paris.
China is using Taiwan and Japan as excuses to flare up antagonism to divert attention from its own atrocities. While Japan should admit and apologize for its atrocities, so should China. But old grudges look to be flaring up and may very well turn out to be the next major war.
THe Chinese emperors certainly regarded themselves as the "BIG BROTHER" to all their neighbours.
Historically, as long as the neighbours officially acknowledge China as the "Big Brother" ( or GODFATHER if you will) and pay an annual symbolic tribute of a "GOLDEN FLOWER" and then become what is known as a "VASSEL" state, the Chinese emperor will promise to offer "protection" to his "younger brother"
As in the case of MAlacca, (16th Century)when constantly being attacked by SIAM, kow-towed to China, and in return, China gave protection and kept the Siamese away (the Siamese knew better than to tangle with a protectorate of the mighty CHinese empire
Oh, yeah, there was also the Vietnamese thorn in the foot of the Chinese for 2000 years. There was also the matter of the Emperor copulating with the Earth, literally, once a year.
precisely
the Vietnamese are great warriors, taking on the Chinese, French and Americans, and even beating the sh*t out of them
The vietnamese were a vassel state of China before the French moved in and colonize them
The Chinese could never fully subjugate the great Vietnamese fighters, so, a compremise was reached. Neither side could conquer the other. Oriental "face-saving".The most convenient was for the Vietnamese to become a synbolic vassel-state
More of a charade if you ask me
mostly you might "Gaijin"
Essentially it's the word for foreigner, but is used by some--but not all, as a slur.
A shame the youngsters forgot to listen to the elders.
I've seen some of the kiddies doing their demonstrations in Seoul. No doubt the placards and posters were paid for by Kim.
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