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from the japan times re WW2 -
06-23-2010, 10:21 AM
Prayer for peace in Okinawa | The Japan Times Online
this item is an editorial about Okinawa and the end of the war. 
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06-23-2010, 12:55 PM
Interesting.
I am in Japan at the moment and have heard nothing of this. After a quick search of "Okinawa memorial day" the only things mentioned date from this year. Are we seeing a tradition being created? Or should I go beyond the first few hits in the search engine I use.
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06-23-2010, 02:02 PM
I wish I could tell you but it is in the JAPAN times.
I believe the prime minister Hatoyama resigned because he could not do much about the American Base in the Okinawa Prefecture. I feel sorry for those who have the burden of the base in their part of the country. Now you have KAN as Prime Minister so will he make any difference I wonder. It is a good thing to remember what happened in the past, hopefully to prevent it happening all over again.
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06-24-2010, 10:33 AM
I wonder if any of the older generation have ever discussed this with their children.
It may seem long ago but my hope is that we learn from history and try not to make the same mistakes again-- If that is Possible. Here in Britain I was not made aware of what happened in the Pacific war, now I am learning such a lot from both sides. None of us are perfect after all. It seems to me that countries hide a lot from their own people about too many things-- we need to see all sides of a situation and talk rather than make war. One thing is true we are all capable of terrible deeds and many people die in the process. I have a book called SENSHO where soldiers and others who lived through the war wrote to the ASAHI SHIMBUN in the eighties. It is a very fascinating and insightful collection of letters. The battle of OKINAWA was horrific------------ even now okinawa has the American Bases-- causing much distress to the Okinawa people who are affected by it. I believe more consideration should be made for these people who are stuck in the middle of it all. I do hope agreements can be made between Japan and America over that issue. You may tell me to mind my own business as I am in England, but I do feel for those caught up in it all still. More knowledge of the WW2 between the Nazis and Britain and all those involved in that is now being taught to our own children--and I feel that is important so they are aware and don't get entrapped in war again except that now we are in Afghanistan and IRAQ. I do not agree with that either. whether wars are really about owning land and taking other countries over is that the real reason. We had the British Empire-- but how did we go about that. This is something I wish to study. I hope I have not caused offence with this message.
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06-24-2010, 02:35 PM
Quote:
Your signature says you are from England. Are you aware of the fact that hundreds of thousands of English soldiers were killed, injured, or imprisoned in appalling conditions? That those who were not killed outright by the Japanese were used like slaves on the railroads and airfields, or were used for target practice or even medical research? Did you know that the Thailand/Burma railroad built by the Japanese during the war cost one human life for every wooden railroad tie along it's distance (numbering more than 100,000)? Do you remember that at the end of the war Japan surrendered "unconditionally", and that the base in Okinawa was built at this time? If the local people are burdened by the presence of a base which was built before most of them were born, how much of a burden did their ancestors place on the families of your countrymen? When Japan surrendered, America could simply have fully occupied the country and turned it into a permanent American territory. The surrender the Japanese Emperor agreed to gave America that right. I think America acted quite generously in the matter, and as one who's grandfather and other relatives suffered during the war at the hands of the Japanese, I have no sympathy for the "inconveniences" caused to the locals by the American base in Okinawa. The Japan of those days is different from the Japan of today, but the base reminds them of the acts which their country committed, and perhaps this is the greatest nuisance. Were I them, I would find the shame more unendurable than the noise of American airplanes and servicemen. Perhaps you are just a anime/manga fan who knows nothing of history. If you are an anime fan, you should watch this one, which was one of Japan's first animated features. There are 9 parts, you should watch all of them, here is the first one: YouTube - 桃太郎 海の神兵 1/9
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06-24-2010, 02:45 PM
No I am not an anime fan etc.
I have learnt a lot and yes too many people died. I have read many books on the subject also. Is this a subject that should be banned on this forum? I lived through the war here in UK. what I am meaning is that if we do forget history then we are always in danger of repeating things. The whole war was ghastly. It is not my personal business about okinawa but why should that small area have to deal with the Bases? I know exactly why they are there but do the locals not get a say. after all who firebombed Japan even before dropping those heinous monstrosities that ended the war. After all the war on Okinawa was to enable the Americans to bombard Japan cities wasn't it. Americans helped us also and I am grateful to them although many of their lives were lost because of Incompetence by the Generals etc. I hate all wars and the suffering of so many innocents. forgive me if I have touched a delicate subject. I do apologise if I have offended anyone here. After all I am an ENGLISH WOMAN. The reason for the bases is well known. I will keep my nose out of it. I hope amicable agreements can be found. Yes and I know well who started the war. again my apologies for talking out of turn. Let us pray that nuclear bombs will never be used again--ANYWHERE or the world would be destroyed.
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06-24-2010, 05:50 PM
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06-24-2010, 06:08 PM
Quote:
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06-25-2010, 02:24 AM
Quote:
Pearl Harbor did require payback, but don't believe we had nothing to do with getting involved in the war. American Military (and citizens, you know who I'm talking about  ) need to act more respectfully in all foreign countries. We need to set the example.Let the insults fly!
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06-25-2010, 09:29 AM
I have a copy of that it is beautifully done though very understated.
I have some books written by survivors-- as children--------- How brave they were and considering the dreadful things they encountered they too are heros. It was all horrendous-------- I thought the person who was so arrogant about todays residents of Okinawa was totally uncalled for-- Or is it a case of blaming younger generations for the things their ancestors did. Are our children responsible for all we have done or are doing? I would hope that if we keep history alive we CAN learn from past mistakes. If we are kept in ignorance then we are likely to carry on repeating those same terrible mistakes. I pray for a world where we can live amicably-- no doubt that is crying for the moon.-
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