Japanese War Museum: Fact or Fiction?

[Infohawk]

The Japanese War Museum sure has an interesting take on WW2.

http://i.imgur.com/PD8aE.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4338634393/in/set-72157623252671017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4339376556/in/set-72157623252671017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4339377150/in/set-72157623252671017/

Let's face it, only a small portion of the Japanese military were actually involved in the rape of Nanking. It was just an example of Japanese military extremism. The Japanese people and military as a whole therefore have no reason to worry about Nanking. And saying so would just amount to anti-Japanese bigotry.

 

[Narmer]

That's Japan's side of the story. No doubt those embargos made it impossible for them to continue to function, so they attacked. What, do you think they attacked a very powerful nation for no good reason or because Germany told them to? You need to get out more.

 

[Toonces]

So, you've been there too?


This is from the privately-owned and operated Yushukan Museum located on the grounds of the Yasukuni Shrine here in Tokyo.

Just as the Creation Museum doesn't represent the official position of the United States Government or the majority of US citizen's views in regards to evolutionary science, Yushukan/Yasukuni Jinja represents the opinions of a minority concerning the war. The current Emperor Akihito has boycotted the shrine for its inclusion of Class A war criminals.

It is true that most of my students are unaware of the specifics of their country's past transgressions during WW2; and something I believe that educators should (but politically are unwilling) to address.

Tangentially, there's an interesting flea market along the road near the large Torii that have memorabilia and other interesting items which is worth a visit if you are sightseeing around that area of the city!

 

[Infohawk]

That's Japan's side of the story. No doubt those embargos made it impossible for them to continue to function, so they attacked. What, do you think they attacked a very powerful nation for no good reason or because Germany told them to? You need to get out more.

I like what you did there. Made a strawman then followed it up with a put-down.

 

[Infohawk]

So, you've been there too?


This is from the privately-owned and operated Yushukan Museum located on the grounds of the Yasukuni Shrine here in Tokyo.

Just as the Creation Museum doesn't represent the official position of the United States Government or the majority of US citizen's views in regards to evolutionary science, Yushukan/Yasukuni Jinja represents the opinions of a minority concerning the war. The current Emperor Akihito has boycotted the shrine for its inclusion of Class A war criminals.

It is true that most of my students are unaware of the specifics of their country's past transgressions during WW2; and something I believe that educators should (but politically are unwilling) to address.

Tangentially, there's an interesting flea market along the road near the large Torii that have memorabilia and other interesting items which is worth a visit if you are sightseeing around that area of the city!

These are just random pics from the net. Haven't gone there. Thanks for the context. Japan really should teach their students about the atrocities though. American students learn about slavery, etc.

 

[Narmer]

I like what you did there. Made a strawman then followed it up with a put-down.

I'm just trying to point out that there is more than one side to a story. And Toonces is wrong. From the little I see in the OP, it is nothing like the ridiculous Creationism Museum. I also understand the hurt that the enemies of Japan endured so they would understandably protest such a shrine. However, these war criminals were also soldiers. No doubt they were given that label by the victors.

War is hell and, until recently, there really were no rules for it.

 

[Toonces]

I'm just trying to point out that there is more than one side to a story. And Toonces is wrong. From the little I see in the OP, it is nothing like the ridiculous Creationism Museum.

It was hyperbole to give a contrasting example of a private museum in the US, nothing more.

The actual museum itself has interesting content, if viewed from an objective position and ignoring the propaganda. I particularly thought the exhibit on the Russo-Japanese war was interesting, a conflict not given much attention in the West - and arguably a strong catalyst to the rise of Imperial Japan.

 

[Narmer]

It was hyperbole to give a contrasting example of a private museum in the US, nothing more.

The actual museum itself has interesting content, if viewed from an objective position and ignoring the propaganda. I particularly thought the exhibit on the Russo-Japanese war was interesting, a conflict not given much attention in the West - and arguably a strong catalyst to the rise of Imperial Japan.

The rise of imperial Japan? Any and every nation that could was trying to expand. Imperialism was the thing to do at the time. Even the United States got the bug when it found itself in control of the Philippines and other places. When the Japanese military started conquering other countries, who do you think they defeated? Yeah, other imperialists.

 

[Acanthus]

These are just random pics from the net. Haven't gone there. Thanks for the context. Japan really should teach their students about the atrocities though. American students learn about slavery, etc.

We are usually pretty light on the treatment of native americans though.

Personally I didn't learn about anything other than manifest destiny and the direct military conflicts between the tribes and the americans, and that was brushed over in a day or two in middle school.

 

[Infohawk]

We are usually pretty light on the treatment of native americans though.

Personally I didn't learn about anything other than manifest destiny and the direct military conflicts between the tribes and the americans, and that was brushed over in a day or two in middle school.

Could be a regional thing.

 

[Lemon law]

It was just a gamble by Japan at the time, while the attention of the world and other imperialistic forces was focused on Europe and WW2, the Western Navies guarding the far Eastern chicken coop were gone. Giving Japan a chance to make the Eastern Pacific Ocean into a Japanese lake. And it worked well for Japan for 2 to two and half years as Japan had access to all the economic resources of East Asia that Western powers had tried to prevent Japanese access too.

Until the great American economic boiler got lit, and that great boiler that Yamamoto warned about started developing unlimited power. And if the USA had not gotten lucky in the battle of midway, Japanese military hegemony would have lasted longer.

Japan saw its chance and took it, but in any war, there are final winners and losers.
Meanwhile, its all part of history, and why should I, as an American be alienated that the reasoning of past Japanese leaders are listed in some Japanese museum. Sure it may sugar coat Japanese brutality, but not only did Japan pay the price for its gamble, the Japanese chance to run wild has come, and can almost never come again.

 

[nick1985]

That's Japan's side of the story. No doubt those embargos made it impossible for them to continue to function, so they attacked. What, do you think they attacked a very powerful nation for no good reason or because Germany told them to? You need to get out more.

What are your thoughts on their account of the Rape of Nanking?

 

[nick1985]

When the Japanese military started conquering other countries, who do you think they defeated? Yeah, other imperialists.

Uh...that was most certainly not the case for many of the nations Japan invaded.

 

[dahunan]

Fuck you Japan.. you do us all a disservice letting anyone hide your brutal acts and incredibly disgusting savage beasts you raised and created with your nationalistic thought.

 

[Linflas]

Fuck you Japan.. you do us all a disservice letting anyone hide your brutal acts and incredibly disgusting savage beasts you raised and created with your nationalistic thought.

You do realize that Japan no longer exists?

 

[Infohawk]

Fuck you Japan.. you do us all a disservice letting anyone hide your brutal acts and incredibly disgusting savage beasts you raised and created with your nationalistic thought.

Whoah whoah whoah, isn't it unfair to judge a group of people by its extremists? Every group has extremists right?

 

[dahunan]

I am not saying the japan of today.. sheesh

Those who hide the atrocities they have done.. can eff off..

Thankfully abu ghraib wasn't 50yrs ago or who know what we might have done

 

[BoomerD]

I'm just trying to point out that there is more than one side to a story. And Toonces is wrong. From the little I see in the OP, it is nothing like the ridiculous Creationism Museum. I also understand the hurt that the enemies of Japan endured so they would understandably protest such a shrine. However, these war criminals were also soldiers. No doubt they were given that label by the victors.

War is hell and, until recently, there really were no rules for it.

Then, by that logic, the Japanese have no complaints about Hiroshima and Nagasaki...after all...it was war...and war is hell.

 

[Genx87]

The Japanese War Museum sure has an interesting take on WW2.

http://i.imgur.com/PD8aE.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4338634393/in/set-72157623252671017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4339376556/in/set-72157623252671017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmace1/4339377150/in/set-72157623252671017/

Let's face it, only a small portion of the Japanese military were actually involved in the rape of Nanking. It was just an example of Japanese military extremism. The Japanese people and military as a whole therefore have no reason to worry about Nanking. And saying so would just amount to anti-Japanese bigotry.

It wasnt just Nanking these atrocities happened.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Then, by that logic, the Japanese have no complaints about Hiroshima and Nagasaki...after all...it was war...and war is hell.

actually who cares if they complain about Hiroshima or Nagasaski?
At the time war was hell and they made their beds!!

 

[piasabird]

The Japanese are guilty of many war atrocities in many different places. They gave candy laced with opium to children. They stole young women to serve as forced sex slaves, they used forced labor of koreans to do mining, farming, and many of them were killed when we nuked japan. They chopped down all the trees in korea they could easily get to. They burned many historical books in Korea. The Japanese did the same thing also in China and Indonesia. No one should ever trust the Japanese.

 

[woolfe9999]

We are usually pretty light on the treatment of native americans though.

Personally I didn't learn about anything other than manifest destiny and the direct military conflicts between the tribes and the americans, and that was brushed over in a day or two in middle school.

I read my daughter's AP U.S. history textbook along with her in order to help her study for exams. There was extensive material on mistreatment of native Americans, starting with the fact that most of them were killed by diseases imported from Europe, and continuing through every slaughter, massacre and land swindle ever since.

- wolf

 

[Narmer]

What are your thoughts on their account of the Rape of Nanking?

My thoughts is in the first sentence of what you quoted. Considering the Chinese are poor record-keepers we won't know the entire story...

Then, by that logic, the Japanese have no complaints about Hiroshima and Nagasaki...after all...it was war...and war is hell.

They don't. As Jediyoda mentioned, they brought it on themselves.

 

[alphatarget1]

So, you've been there too?


This is from the privately-owned and operated Yushukan Museum located on the grounds of the Yasukuni Shrine here in Tokyo.

Just as the Creation Museum doesn't represent the official position of the United States Government or the majority of US citizen's views in regards to evolutionary science, Yushukan/Yasukuni Jinja represents the opinions of a minority concerning the war. The current Emperor Akihito has boycotted the shrine for its inclusion of Class A war criminals.

It is true that most of my students are unaware of the specifics of their country's past transgressions during WW2; and something I believe that educators should (but politically are unwilling) to address.

Tangentially, there's an interesting flea market along the road near the large Torii that have memorabilia and other interesting items which is worth a visit if you are sightseeing around that area of the city!

Japan deserved the 2 nukes up their asses in WWII.

 

[alphatarget1]

fuck you japan.. You do us all a disservice letting anyone hide your brutal acts and incredibly disgusting savage beasts you raised and created with your nationalistic thought.

qft