Asia stops to remember end of World War II

TOKYO — Asia paused on Sunday to remember Japan's surrender to the allied forces which ended World War II 65 years ago, as the Japanese prime minister apologized for wreaking suffering on the region and the South Korean president said Tokyo's remorse was a step in the right direction.

From Nanjing — the site of a 1937 massacre by Japanese troops — to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which has drawn outrage from Asia for honoring Class A war criminals, people prayed for the millions who died in war and expressed hopes for peace.

In Tokyo, at a ceremony for the war dead, Prime Minister Naoto Kan reiterated his apology to South Korea for wartime atrocities, and this time offered his regret to all of Asia.

Last week, Kan offered "deep remorse" in an apology issued ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula on Aug. 29, 1910.

Link to article

Nice of them.

Thats good to know.

I guess....

the South Korean president said Tokyo's remorse was a step in the right direction.

topsemag55

It's been 65 years. :|

Two countries does Asia not make.

Two countries does Asia not make.

NoobisMaxcimus

That's what links are for...

[QUOTE="topsemag55"]

the South Korean president said Tokyo's remorse was a step in the right direction.

yabbicoke

It's been 65 years. :|

I read it. All they mentioned were South Korea and Japan.

I read it. All they mentioned were South Korea and Japan.

NoobisMaxcimus

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]

I read it. All they mentioned were South Korea and Japan.

Lonelynight

...3 then :P

Japan's had a hard time admitting they are sorry. I think its mostly out of shame and they just want to leave it behind them. But history can't always be forgotten. It was a good step to the right direction though.

Japan's had a hard time admitting they are sorry. I think its mostly out of shame and they just want to leave it behind them. But history can't always be forgotten. It was a good step to the right direction though.

Pikdum

so people NOW are apologizing for THEN? doesn't really seem necessary to me, i mean it was other people that did it, everything's on them.

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"][QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]

I read it. All they mentioned were South Korea and Japan.

NoobisMaxcimus

...3 then :P

Australia was also mentioned.

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"] Nanjing is in China.topsemag55

...3 then :P

Australia was also mentioned.

Since when is Australia part of Asia?

Edit:"In Australia, World War II veterans and representatives from New Zealand, the U.S. and Asian countries were among more than 300 people gathered in downtown Sydney to mark the anniversary."

Nvm. Didn't see the hidden text when I first read it.

[QUOTE="topsemag55"]

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]

...3 then :P

NoobisMaxcimus

Australia was also mentioned.

Since when is Australlia part of Asia?

so people NOW are apologizing for THEN? doesn't really seem necessary to me, i mean it was other people that did it, everything's on them.

needled24-7

What a crass, thoughtlessway to look at it. We are talking about nations, not individuals. It is insensitive to say they aren't remorseful. People died, and it really isn't nice to celebrate murder of any type.

Japan shouldn't apologize for the war crimes.

I mean, the Japanese of today. They had nothing to do with it (outside the really old people).

Did Hirohito ever apologize (but I think he never approved of the atrocities)?

Japan shouldn't apologize for the war crimes.

I mean, the Japanese of today. They had nothing to do with it (outside the really old people).

Did Hirohito ever apologize (but I think he never approved of the atrocities)?

AHUGECAT

I agree with this guy. Current generations shouldn't have to pay for the sins of our ancestors.

Japan shouldn't apologize for the war crimes.

I mean, the Japanese of today. They had nothing to do with it (outside the really old people).

Did Hirohito ever apologize (but I think he never approved of the atrocities)?

AHUGECAT

so people NOW are apologizing for THEN? doesn't really seem necessary to me, i mean it was other people that did it, everything's on them.

needled24-7

I agree with this guy. Current generations shouldn't have to pay for the sins of our ancestors.NoobisMaxcimus

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]

so people NOW are apologizing for THEN? doesn't really seem necessary to me, i mean it was other people that did it, everything's on them.

Ultimas_Blade

What a crass, thoughtlessway to look at it. We are talking about nations, not individuals. It is insensitive to say they aren't remorseful. People died, and it really isn't nice to celebrate murder of any type.

i am trying to say what AHUGECAT is saying here.

Japan shouldn't apologize for the war crimes.

I mean, the Japanese of today. They had nothing to do with it (outside the really old people).

AHUGECAT

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]

so people NOW are apologizing for THEN? doesn't really seem necessary to me, i mean it was other people that did it, everything's on them.

rowzzr

if anybody is still mad at japan, that's not anything japan can help.needled24-7

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]I agree with this guy. Current generations shouldn't have to pay for the sins of our ancestors.Lonelynight

The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.

The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.NoobisMaxcimus

The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.

NoobisMaxcimus

Possibly the Chinese might give the apology some credit, as they hold the concept of "face" as high as the Japanese. It takes a lot to make an apology for an entire nation for a world war.

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.Lonelynight

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"][QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.needled24-7

This. The apology actually is too late. What's done is done. Japan was being too prideful/ashamed/whatever.

i don't think anyone is going to go from :evil: to ^_^ because of an apologyneedled24-7

This. The apology actually is too late. What's done is done. Japan was being too prideful/ashamed/whatever.NoobisMaxcimus

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]i don't think anyone is going to go from :evil: to ^_^ because of an apologyLonelynight

so has an apology never been made? if not, then it is long overdue, should have been done long ago.needled24-7

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]so has an apology never been made? if not, then it is long overdue, should have been done long ago.Lonelynight

Meaning what exactly? Saying it never happened or painting it in rosier colors? Either one is pretty bad.

Meaning what exactly? Saying it never happened or painting it in rosier colors? Either one is pretty bad.NoobisMaxcimus

Singapore accused Japan of straining relations with its neighbors by rendering a "strange interpretation" of World War II in history textbooks. Tokyo has approved a textbook that critics say plays down Japan's wartime atrocities, including mass sex slavery and germ warfare.article

[QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]Meaning what exactly? Saying it never happened or painting it in rosier colors? Either one is pretty bad.Lonelynight

Singapore accused Japan of straining relations with its neighbors by rendering a "strange interpretation" of World War II in history textbooks. Tokyo has approved a textbook that critics say plays down Japan's wartime atrocities, including mass sex slavery and germ warfare.article

Sheesh. People are still doing things like this in the 21st century.

Sheesh. People are still doing things like this in the 21st century.NoobisMaxcimus

[QUOTE="AHUGECAT"]

Japan shouldn't apologize for the war crimes.

I mean, the Japanese of today. They had nothing to do with it (outside the really old people).

Did Hirohito ever apologize (but I think he never approved of the atrocities)?

Lonelynight

admitting these kinds of things out of pride (probably) chaplainDMK

Well take germany, for example...they are trying hard to rid themselves of their WW2 stigma as well.

A few people with power can make people remember dark times.

If every country went about apologising for the things they've done, it would take a very long time. Think of all the things done in the name of the British Empire, has Britain apologised for every horrible deed committed? Has America apologised for trying to wipe out the Native Americans, or dropping two Atomic Bombs on innocent civies. Most Country have something to be shameful of in their past, "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

I think it's unfair for newer generations to apologize for what a previous generation did. Yes, they are reaping the rewards possibly (like the USA and slavery), but in Japan's case, those around during that time paid dearly when the US got involved, eventually nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

If every country went about apologising for the things they've done, it would take a very long time. Think of all the things done in the name of the British Empire, has Britain apologised for every horrible deed committed? Has America apologised for trying to wipe out the Native Americans, or dropping two Atomic Bombs on innocent civies. Most Country have something to be shameful of in their past, "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

Bashers79

We've had a thread on this issue...military were based in those cities.

[QUOTE="Bashers79"]

If every country went about apologising for the things they've done, it would take a very long time. Think of all the things done in the name of the British Empire, has Britain apologised for every horrible deed committed? Has America apologised for trying to wipe out the Native Americans, or dropping two Atomic Bombs on innocent civies. Most Country have something to be shameful of in their past, "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

topsemag55

We've had a thread on this issue...military were based in those cities.

You missed the point of my post. As for military being based in a city making it ok to nuke hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, thats a cop out

hm..interesting...i wasn't expecting them to actually be sorry..

Japan needs to pay China and Korea especially some form of compensation. Seriously what they did in both those countries pales in comparison to hitler imo.

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"][QUOTE="NoobisMaxcimus"]The rape of nanking was pretty bad, so I dont think the Chinese will see todays people apologizing as anything but insincere. Maybe if Japan had apologized soon after the event and made reparations there wouldn't be as much bad blood. Ehh what do I know? Maybe the Chinese will feel the apology is heartfelt.needled24-7

You don't understand japanese culture apparently, it takes alot of them to admit something like this and yes it would change some people's opinions on them.

Japan needs to pay China and Korea especially some form of compensation. Seriously what they did in both those countries pales in comparison to hitler imo.Espada12