Quote:
Originally Posted by Kanji_The_Wanderer
I am sure many of them hate Americans and America. They have good reason to if they do. It is hard to forgive a country for changing your way of life. But regardless, I am glad they 2 are now allies...
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You'd be wrong.
Most older Japanese remember how Douglas MacArthur helped rebuild their country and set it on a course that led them todays success. Those older Japanese are the ones that built statues of him.
I've discussed the war with several elderly Japanese. Some were even WWII vets. None of them seem to bear a grudge. It is no different from most American veterans. I remember one fella that was my Sunday School teacher. He was on the Battaan death march. He was actually a pen pal with several Japanese vets.
IMO discussing the war is fine. Just don't do anything that acts as if you are throwing it in their face. In other words, as with anything Japanese, BE POLITE.
Oh, BTW "Letters from Iwo Jima" was hugely popular in Japan. IMO it is a good starting point for any discussion.