Quote:
Originally Posted by dut99002
I'd never heard of that facet of Japanese WWII history. It's shocking, but knowing the Japanese and their other acts during WWII, it really doesn't surprise me all that much.
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I've studied many of the events leading up to, and the Japanese actions in, the Pacific theatre in WWII, some of them in depth. As with most of my academic Japanese learning, it's rusty now. With that said, I've gleaned a few opinions from my studies:
1. The Germans were about eliminating certain undesirables. So were the Japanese. The difference is that the undesirables in the case of Japan largely consisted of everybody else. People who recognize the literary reference to "Krikkit" would do well to make that comparison, as I think it's appropriate. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Japan was the inspiration for Krikkit.
2. Japan spend 2,000 years being the lap-dog of China, and when they got their chance, they exerted their supremacy in every way possible. The Rape of Nanking is one of the most depraved actions I've ever read about.
3. I personally (and there are varying opinions here, so I won't be offended if anybody disagrees vehemently) think that Hirohito was largely a victim in the entire deal. The Japanese emperor, with a few minor exceptions, had not had any real power since sometime in the 7th century A.D. (indeed, that's why the imperial line has lasted so long) and Hirohito was no different. Real power was wielded by the military (they'd essentially performed a coup against the original democracy in place, and the military itself had had sort of a coup by junior officers within a bit earlier in Manchuria). Hirohito, in my opinion, was largely powerless, and his one true contribution was in fact to circumvent the military and sue for peace after the second A-bomb.
4. The Japanese have largely whitewashed their history with respect to WWII. Part of me can hardly blame them, as it's a pretty sordid history. Part of me thinks it's a bit irresponsible. Part of me thinks the rest of Asia should get over it already and shut up already to some extent. All of me thinks that the Japanese government should bite the bullet and give a formal apology to the comfort women. All of me and more thinks that the rest of Asia (especially China) should get N. Korea in control or else Japan may become nuclear in very short order.
I have many, many, many more opinions than this, but I'm sure I've created enough discussion topics for one post.