Would you fight for Japan?

[Suki]

Originally Posted by Sitron

If Japan was ever to get involved in a war. Would you enlist in their army and fight for the nation that gave us anime and manga? I certainly would. Especially if its against hostile China. I've even thought about enlisting in the Japanese army even though I'm Norwegian. But sorrily it's not possible.

No, I wouldn't. I'd sit at home, watch it on the news and pity them.

[JamboP26]

Originally Posted by dogsbody70

You mean rather than fight for your OWn country?

If Scotland had their own army, I'd still choose Japan but with more thought in to it. The fact it's the British Army, really puts me off. Also, I love the Japanese national anthem. I hate God Save The Queen, & prefer the Flower of Scotland. The British Army would play God Save The Queen. Its a petty argument, but just how I feel. Its a true test of how much people love Japan, this thread

[KyokoUK]

Originally Posted by dogsbody70

I wonder if you have read about the way the Japanese behaved towards Prisoners of War during the PAcific war. Maybe its time you did some research.

And two atomic bombs killing and striking a generational horror that will never be forgotten isn't enough of your "pay back?" And it was not the Japanese people who did that but mis-let military officers who sold Japan down the proverbial river who did that. They perverted Shinto to give a false message to the people and basically went to war for their own gain. Why not just carpet bomb Iraq and Afghanistan with atomics while you're over there. Maybe that will make you feel big.

[Barone1551]

Originally Posted by KuranUSA

What a silly thing to say.

Do tell why it is such a silly thing to say? Do you know the events that took place after the WWII. And I don't think Japan should be stripped of an army forever, but the promise of being protected by a powerful nation can be reassuring.

And to the person about talked about being bullied. Japan has the ability to protect themselves, so no, I would not go down the street. I would be able to handle myself.

[KyokoUK]

I am sure that Japan welcomes America's friendship and any help in any conflict, as would Japan be at America's side if they were attacked. I would just like to see things start returning to normal after all these years. Will another century of keeping the boot of America on Japan's neck work toward any good whatsoever?

[duo797]

Originally Posted by KyokoUK

And two atomic bombs killing and striking a generational horror that will never be forgotten isn't enough of your "pay back?" And it was not the Japanese people who did that but mis-let military officers who sold Japan down the proverbial river who did that. They perverted Shinto to give a false message to the people and basically went to war for their own gain. Why not just carpet bomb Iraq and Afghanistan with atomics while you're over there. Maybe that will make you feel big.

War isn't a pretty thing, and I'm not going to say the A-bombs were justified (different books and different people have different opinions on whether or not they were necessary to end the war, and I'm not asking for anyone to tell me whether or not they think they were, because I don't care for an internet opinion on this matter), but saying your pay back is unfair. Just like how you argue the japanese public can't be blamed, it's hardly fair to blame the american public for the a-bomb. One more thing, I'm fairly certain you can't carpet bomb with nuclear weapons just by the sheer radius and force of their explosions. Edit: I don't want to get snippy, I'll just cut this.

[KuranUSA]

Originally Posted by KyokoUK

I am sure that Japan welcomes America's friendship and any help in any conflict, as would Japan be at America's side if they were attacked. I would just like to see things start returning to normal after all these years. Will another century of keeping the boot of America on Japan's neck work toward any good whatsoever?

No,it won't do any good. at all. ever.

In order to see why there is such animosity now,we must travel back.

in 1940,the vast majority of Americans did not know where Japan was. They didn't even know it existed. This all changed midway through 1941,when the US decided to stick it's nose in and say,'no Japan,you can't invade China for oil.' To which Japan promptly responded(i'm cutting down a lot here to the basics,or this post would be pages long) "we can do whatever we want,but we will negotiate with you." Fair enough. Now,the vast majority of American's knew of the Empire of Japan,but they still knew nothing of the country itself. It was just'that one that they talk about on the radio.'

This all changed on december the seventh,1941. Peral harbour immediately thrust America into a war in which the general public knew nothing about the enemy. All they knew was that they had been attacked,so it was time to respond in force. The news immediatley responded with the kind of propaganda that any war brings,that of the"savege Japanese,who still use swords,who eat their captives(really,they said that) and live in wooden huts.' This was broadcasted for four and a half years,and so naturally people who never saw a Japanese person themselves started to believe it. Then the atomic bombs droped,and people were happy. The war is over,they said. Let's bomb them all and have done with it. Fortunatley more bombs were not used. After the war,soldiers brought home tales of the war,and naturally,as any soldier will do,they focused on the bad parts,namley,the enemy. and so the 'savage' image continued.

It continues to this day,because while the propaganda has stopped,people by and large still belive in the'them Japs' image brought home by the war.

Should Japan have it's own army? Definitley. It is any one country's right to have an army to defend itself,and attack another should it be nessescary. There is no reason for Japan not to have it's own army.

[Barone1551]

Originally Posted by KyokoUK

I am sure that Japan welcomes America's friendship and any help in any conflict, as would Japan be at America's side if they were attacked. I would just like to see things start returning to normal after all these years. Will another century of keeping the boot of America on Japan's neck work toward any good whatsoever?

I feel "keeping the boot on" is a bit strong. Japan is not the US lap dog. America cannot make Japan do whatever it wants. That is why the peace and security treaty exist. But I ask you, whats normal? For Japans most recent military history, "normal" is what they were like in WWII. Before that "normal" was samurai. Japan has greatly benefited from this relationship, and can greatly benefit from it. Especially now with the recession.

[duo797]

Originally Posted by KuranUSA

It continues to this day,because while the propaganda has stopped,people by and large still belive in the'them Japs' image brought home by the war.

I don't think this is true. I think this mentality was around in my grandparents generation, and partly in my parents generation, but outside of general bigots, most people I've come across have not shared that mentality.

[KyokoUK]

Originally Posted by duo797

War isn't a pretty thing, and I'm not going to say the A-bombs were justified (different books and different people have different opinions on whether or not they were necessary to end the war, and I'm not asking for anyone to tell me whether or not they think they were, because I don't care for an internet opinion on this matter), but saying your pay back is unfair. Just like how you argue the japanese public can't be blamed, it's hardly fair to blame the american public for the a-bomb. One more thing, I'm fairly certain you can't carpet bomb with nuclear weapons just by the sheer radius and force of their explosions. Edit: I don't want to get snippy, I'll just cut this.

Ok, yeah, I sort of over-reacted on that one. But people are still happily bashing Japan over Pearl Harbor and totally forgetting the horror that ended that war. Now it WAS our emperor that said he would never surrender and the beaches would run red with the blood of every Japanese soldier and citizen before it was over. The atomics killed a lot less than a frontal assault would have but the absolute horror of the atomics...just to see one pop was enough to cause Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic age" to quote in horror from the Bhagavad- Gita, "I have become death, the destroyer of worlds." Can you imagine if your state, probably about the size of Japan, had two atomics dropped on it?