Anyone here live or raised in Japan

[UglyCasanova]

I would like to know how the Japanese feel about the way they teach WWII history over there (or don't teach). Germany is extremely open about the atrocities they committed, but the Japanese still seem to be in denial. The things I've read about Unit 731 literally make me sick to my stomach.

 

[Aquaman]

Also the Rape of Nanking. 🙁

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Glitchny]

It never happened! Everyone was on Vacation!

 

[Lyfer]

Originally posted by: Glitchny
It never happened! Everyone was on Vacation!

😀

 

[thirdlegstump]

Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

 

[dc]

not teaching or acknowledging it != learning

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

By continuing to hide from the past? Sounds like you are really trying to learn from past mistakes. :roll:

And like it or not there are still survivors from these atrocities alive today, ask them if it was just a "fairy tale".

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

It's not THAT long ago....

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
I would like to know how the Japanese feel about the way they teach WWII history over there (or don't teach). Germany is extremely open about the atrocities they committed, but the Japanese still seem to be in denial. The things I've read about Unit 731 literally make me sick to my stomach.

Um here in the states, they dont even touch the atrocities that occurred with Unit 731 (unless you take a specific WWII course) in HS. When I brought this up in class, all of the people in my class had no idea what I was talking about. The teacher wasn't even going to mention it.

EDIT: And the Rape of Nanking is barely touched upon. What I find funny is how even when these things are taught, is how much the western world learned (scientifically) from these atrocities (Unit 731, Holocaust, etc) is completely left out.

 

[Babbles]

As far as I know they still don't allow items such as the Rape of Nanking into History books. Remember the big stink Korea raised after the Japane Ministry of Education decided to alter what the history books said about the 'relationship' between Korea and Japan.
I believe the government never refers to Japan losing World War II, but rather it was just a cease fire.

Also there seems to be a mentality that if you ignore what happened in the past then you don't have to recognize it. By not recognizing it then you do not have to admit guilt or defeat.

 

[LongCoolMother]

ive heard from some that they dont teach WWII (all aspects) in japan, such as the rape of nanking. i think the japanese govt recognized it in the past decade or so but not officially? anyway, some people say there are even a considerable amount of conservatives in japan that deny the occurance of the incident or even transgressions at all. complete contrast to modern day germany.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

By continuing to hide from the past? Sounds like you are really trying to learn from past mistakes. :roll:

And like it or not there are still survivors from these atrocities alive today, ask them if it was just a "fairy tale".

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

 

[CubicZirconia]

It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

It's a powertrip ego thing. We kicked ass in WW2 and don't want anyone to forget it- that sort of thing. Oh, it's also about moral superiority.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

By continuing to hide from the past? Sounds like you are really trying to learn from past mistakes. :roll:

And like it or not there are still survivors from these atrocities alive today, ask them if it was just a "fairy tale".

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

Didn't your government just recognize and apologize for what actually happened with Unit 731 and the others within the past decade or half-decade?

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Oh please, whatever.
We do a pretty good job, relatively speaking, of owning up to what we did wrong. Not even near being hypocritcal.

Even *if* and that is one big *if* we did 'santize' our history as you claim, that does not mean it is okay for another country to do it!

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

It's a powertrip ego thing. We kicked ass in WW2 and don't want anyone to forget it- that sort of thing. Oh, it's also about moral superiority.

Iono, but I remember learning in jr high about how we'd give indians pox-infected blankets and how Jackson killed all those indians in florida and took their land but is now on the $20 bill.

I don't think UglyCasanova wants a damn cookie. Maybe just that when history is taught, its told as it is known to have happened, not how the government feels that it should be told.

 

[thirdlegstump]

We've been through this very discussion before on ATOT. We all (at least the Japanese) basically think the same thing. Forget, forgive and move on. That is the only way society can progress. You don't beat a dead horse over and over again. What for? Just let it rest at ease. On another note I know that my grandfather whom recently passed away was a soldier during WWII and has set foot on Chinese soil. It's too bad I didn't get to listen to much of his stories.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

It's a powertrip ego thing. We kicked ass in WW2 and don't want anyone to forget it- that sort of thing. Oh, it's also about moral superiority.

It's hard to tell what part of history I've been 'sanitized' to, but I can say that I wasn't taught a very 'pretty' picture about the founding of our country. The Native Americans really got screwed over thanks to us.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
We've been through this very discussion before on ATOT. We all (at least the Japanese) basically think the same thing. Forget, forgive and move on. That is the only way society can progress. You don't beat a dead horse over and over again. What for? Just let it rest at ease. On another note I know that my grandfather whom recently passed away was a soldier during WWII and has set foot on Chinese soil. It's too bad I didn't get to listen to much of his stories.

Forgive and forget usually something that is asked of the victim, not the assailant.

 

[CubicZirconia]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Oh please, whatever.
We do a pretty good job, relatively speaking, of owning up to what we did wrong. Not even near being hypocritcal.

Even *if* and that is one big *if* we did 'santize' our history as you claim, that does not mean it is okay for another country to do it!

You're kidding yourself if you think we don't gloss over some of our less proud moments in history. I didn't say we make things up or completely avoid negative issues, but the fact is everyone would rather talk about the good times than the bad, ourselves included.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
It's not like we don't sanatize history here in the United States. Criticizing Japan is hypocritical in my opinion.

Oh please, whatever.
We do a pretty good job, relatively speaking, of owning up to what we did wrong. Not even near being hypocritcal.

Even *if* and that is one big *if* we did 'santize' our history as you claim, that does not mean it is okay for another country to do it!

I don't know much about the two things referring to in this thread -- Unit 731 or the Rape of Nanking. Is there some kind of book I can read on it? I thought I saw one recommended by Brutus was it?

Anyway, it would be like Americans not wanting to own up for Indian genocide -- Trail of Tears, etc. While it kind of is glossed over, it is still being taught in schools.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
We've been through this very discussion before on ATOT. We all (at least the Japanese) basically think the same thing. Forget, forgive and move on. That is the only way society can progress. You don't beat a dead horse over and over again. What for? Just let it rest at ease. On another note I know that my grandfather whom recently passed away was a soldier during WWII and has set foot on Chinese soil. It's too bad I didn't get to listen to much of his stories.

So do you think it'd be alright if we just never talked about the Tokyo or Dresden fire bombings in US history? It's not so much as beating a dead horse as just acknowledging it happened. If it's not taught in schools, there is no acknowledgement.

 

[dc]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Truth? No one there actively cares anymore. It's like a fairy tale now since it all happened ages ago. It's not denial either since our notion of thought is: 'it all apparently happened but like, isn't that mukashibanashi?' (mukashibanashi means old story) We also think the same about Hiroshima and Nagasaki for that matter. We're just forward thinking people and try to learn from past mistakes to better our future.

By continuing to hide from the past? Sounds like you are really trying to learn from past mistakes. :roll:

And like it or not there are still survivors from these atrocities alive today, ask them if it was just a "fairy tale".

Who said anything about HIDING from the past? We all admit that it has happened. We just can't afford spending the time to morn over it everyday. Is that what you're expecting us to do? What do you want? A gold nugget? A cookie?

thanks the problem, not everyone admits it happened.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: deathkoba
We've been through this very discussion before on ATOT. We all (at least the Japanese) basically think the same thing. Forget, forgive and move on. That is the only way society can progress. You don't beat a dead horse over and over again. What for? Just let it rest at ease. On another note I know that my grandfather whom recently passed away was a soldier during WWII and has set foot on Chinese soil. It's too bad I didn't get to listen to much of his stories.

So do you think it'd be alright if we just never talked about the Tokyo or Dresden fire bombings in US history? It's not so much as beating a dead horse as just acknowledging it happened. If it's not taught in schools, there is no acknowledgement.

What atomic bombs? 😉

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: deathkoba
We've been through this very discussion before on ATOT. We all (at least the Japanese) basically think the same thing. Forget, forgive and move on. That is the only way society can progress. You don't beat a dead horse over and over again. What for? Just let it rest at ease. On another note I know that my grandfather whom recently passed away was a soldier during WWII and has set foot on Chinese soil. It's too bad I didn't get to listen to much of his stories.

So do you think it'd be alright if we just never talked about the Tokyo or Dresden fire bombings in US history? It's not so much as beating a dead horse as just acknowledging it happened. If it's not taught in schools, there is no acknowledgement.

Honestly? I don't think it'd make a difference. Doesn't bother me a bit.