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06-27-2010, 03:36 AM
From pretty much every single Japanese person I have ever talked to about the war I have been blown away by their lack of knowledge about it. Some even seem to barely realise that Japan was the aggressor! If you believe learning from history is a good thing then the Japanese are completely failing younger generations in providing them with any facts to learn from.
Few people realise that Japan were actually on the verge of landing troops on mainland Australia after having worked their way down throughout SE Asia. Over 50 air raids were carried out on Darwin in northern Australia and there was intense fighting in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. If it is wasn't for the Americans and their strategic naval victories that cut supply lines to the Japanese army then Japan would possibly still hold large chunks of Asia and possibly even Australia under it's rule. I think if more Japanese people really knew what occurred during the war, had some idea of the incredible suffering and bloodshed that occurred due to their advance through SE Asia then the they would be a bit more understanding of the small remaining US military presence in their country. 
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06-27-2010, 10:06 AM
that is very interesting. I had read about what happened in Australia but until recently had been very ignorant.
countries that try to erase such history of their country's deeds are wrong to do that. There is much about English History of which I have been ignorant-- I am trying to learn more. There is a very interesting programme on TV covering various wars-- We all need to learn and try not to repeat such dreadful things. With the internet and easy access to material and books etc more information is more easily accessible. I have been trying to read books on both sides of the equasion--. Here we hear about the Nazi war but I honestly had not known about the PAcific war which was horrendous. Since meeting my japanese friend I have been doing a lot of research and taking an interest in Japan and its culture-- trying to teach myself the language but that is slow going. She was born in 1942 and had a very hard childhood but does not talk much about that time. I was born before the war and remember much of what happened here in England-- always being afraid when I heard an aeroplane overhead. Would it drop more bombs. Mans inhumanity to MAN. Our bible in the old testament is full of war war war-- so will we ever change. It is good to hear from you.
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06-27-2010, 11:12 AM
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The US presence is not to stop Japan from starting up again if that is what you are implying. I dont know how an understanding of it would justify their presence so please explain.
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06-27-2010, 01:30 PM
United States Forces Japan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
this is one explanation not sure how up to date it is
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06-27-2010, 01:34 PM
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06-27-2010, 11:47 PM
I'm not suggesting that the US presence in Japan has anything to do with stopping Japan from becoming a threat again. My implication is that Japan owes a significant debt to this region for the pain and suffering that it caused. As part of that debt I do not think it unreasonable that it assist the US with strategically placed military bases. Whether or not the current location of the bases is the best place for them is certainly debatable though.
And I think it's difficult for younger generations to appreciate the need to owe any sort of debt when they have little, if any, knowledge of the incredible amount of destruction, death and suffering this country caused through the war. Most of them though are well aware of the suffering caused to the Japanese people towards the end of the war which totally skewes their historical viewpoint about the conflict.
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06-28-2010, 08:08 AM
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I agree that the LESSONS learnt in World War 2 are important. But I dont think young Japanese should feel any sort of guilt that their forefathers bore them. Heck if we are going to inherit guilt then we can blame the British for an awful lot that went wrong in Australia and New Zealand as well as white Australians and New Zealanders. But I dont believe in inheriting guilt and that goes for the young Japanese of today to.
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06-28-2010, 08:24 AM
that is my point really-- Ignorance clearly will bring misunderstandings.
I was ignorant about the PAcific war-- because it was scarcely mentioned in our history books. I used to ask myself when young What was VJ day--I had heard about the many atrocities especially to POW's but was ignorant of the reasons for Us to be involved in that war. We heard about the terrible H bombs--but I am ashamed that I knew so little-- and it was not until I befriended a japanese lady-- my attitude previously was very anti- the Japanese--that I have made efforts to learn more and been very shocked by so much of it all-----------------I used not to read anything about war as I hate it so much but I realise that we do need to know the reasons why so many wars are started. I have made efforts to see it from both sides as much as that is possible. Usually it is governments that get us involved. Did not the Japanese people believe in their emperor as a GOD? DID they not fight for Him? EMPEROR HIROHITO - Japan | Facts and Details
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06-28-2010, 08:36 AM
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I like your outlook dude 
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06-28-2010, 08:42 AM
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