War Apologies

From Yahoo:
"Japan must apologise for WWII until it is forgiven: Murakami"

Japan must repeatedly say sorry to China, Korea and the other countries it invaded in the 20th century until its former victims have heard the apology enough, novelist Haruki Murakami has said. "The issue of historical understanding carries great significance, and I believe it is important that Japan makes straightforward apologies," he told Kyodo News in an interview in Tokyo earlier this month. "I think that is all Japan can do -- apologise until the countries say: 'We don't necessarily get over it completely, but you have apologised enough. Alright, let's leave it now.'" Murakami, one of Japan's best known writers who has repeatedly been tipped as a future Nobel Literature laureate, has often chided his country for shirking responsibility for its World War II aggression. His remarks come as the world watches what Japan's conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will say in a statement expected to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII this summer. Observers are focusing on whether Abe will make direct reference to Japan's "colonial rule and aggression" and express an "apology", as previous premiers did on the 50th and 60th anniversaries. Abe, a strident nationalist, wants Japan to have what he says is a less masochistic view of its history, but has caused waves by quibbling over the definition of "invade" and has provoked ire by downplaying wartime sex slavery.

While many of its former foes have moved past the enmity of last century, Japan is regularly lambasted by Beijing and Seoul for a perceived failure to atone for the past, and for being unwilling to "face history squarely". Without referring directly to Abe or his upcoming statement, Murakami said: "Apologising is nothing to feel embarrassed about."

^ Murakami is absolutely right. Japan hasn't done enough to atone for the crimes it committed during World War 2. They invaded countries, bombed, raped, massacred innocent men, women and children. The Japanese tortured surrendered soldiers and civilians. They used chemicals, beheadings and death marches. They, along with Germany, started the war and so must take full responsibility for their crimes. The Germans were allowed to get away from most punishments after the war because the Americans, French and British wanted to focus all their attention on the Soviet threat. The Japanese were allowed to get away from most punishments after the war because the Americans needed to focus their attention on South Korea and the Soviets, Chinese and North Koreans fighting there. It has been 70 years since World War 2 ended and the least the Japanese Government and people can do is apologize to the world for the crimes the committed. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/japan-must-apologise-wwii-until-forgiven-murakami-111408641.html