Japanese PM Stands Firm On Visit To The Shrine

[tinybear]

Koizumi remarks fan fury

May 25, 2005


China expressed anger at Junichiro Koizumi's insistence his visits to a shrine to Japan's war dead is a domestic matter, comments that prompted Vice Premier Wu Yi to cancel a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister.

Wu canceled a scheduled meeting with Koizumi aimed at improving ties Monday and returned to China after saying in a speech relations between the two countries are at a 30-year low.

``Thirty-five million Chinese died and China lost hundreds of billions [of dollars] at the hands of Japanese aggressors, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Tuesday. ``How can a Japanese leader act rashly by visiting Yasukuni? How can he not be more considerate for the feelings of people in China and Asia?''

He cited Koizumi's comments about his trips to the Yasukuni shrine as the reason Wu canceled her meeting with him and left Japan a day early.

Read more: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/s.../GE25Ad01.html

Do you think the Japanese PM's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is a purely domestic matter and is none of anyone else's business?

[Pooeypants]

I know what my parents would have to say...
But, in my opinion, I think right now appear to be seeing two bickering children unable to make up with each other. Can't they just grow up and get over it?

[Nono]

Quote by: Pooey I think right now appear to be seeing two bickering children unable to make up with each other. Can't they just grow up and get over it?

Increasingly I view it the same way. When the whole Security Council business is settled (or sent into suspended animation) the thing will die down again, for a while.

[tman_ndsu08]

Here's what I don't get: how does Japan with 130 million people boss around China with 1.3 billion people in the first place?!

If Japan wants war, China could simply swarm them.

[tinybear]

Quite simple really. The Chinese are not as cunning, aggressive, ruthless and disciplined as the Japanese. The fact that Japan is supported by the USA also helps.

[tman_ndsu08]

If only you could've told that to Custer, he might've not been simply over run by the natives who outnumbered him drastically.

[tinybear]

Custer lost 'cos he didn't have sufficient backup. But that's another story for another thread. :)

[Nono]

Quote by: tman If Japan wants war, China could simply swarm them.

Who says Japan wants war? They're just unwilling to face up to what they did in the last one, of which China was a prime victim. And now they're nervous owing to Chinese and now Korean nukes.

[Nono]

Quote by: tiny Custer lost 'cos he didn't have sufficient backup.

That could be said of any losing general...

[tman_ndsu08]

Quote by: Nono Who says Japan wants war? They're just unwilling to face up to what they did in the last one, of which China was a prime victim. And now they're nervous owing to Chinese and now Korean nukes.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if I'm nervous that my next door neighboor who owns a rocket launcher who's dog I killed 5 years ago is going to shoot me, then why would our relationship be reaching a low? Esp. when his next door neighboor, two houses down from me, who also owns a rocket launcher is also mad at me?

[tinybear]

Japan doesn't look very nervous to me. You don't understand the Japanese. Their philosophy is never give up and show no mercy. It is reflected in their style of martial arts, karate. Karate's style is hard, fast blows to vital parts of the body, emphasis on attack, not defense. No retreat; no mercy shown; kill and take no prisoners.

[Prometheus]

The shole conflics seems very childish. Chinah and Japan seem to be in a pissing match over who offended who. It reminds me of middle school where who came or did not come to your birthday party was all that mattered.

[tinybear]

All conflicts are childish when you come to think of it.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: Pooeypants I know what my parents would have to say... But, in my opinion, I think right now appear to be seeing two bickering children unable to make up with each other. Can't they just grow up and get over it?

Maybe they'll grow up and "get over" 35 million dead when the U.S. can get over the WTC.

[Prometheus]

Quote by: Zeebadee Maybe they'll grow up and "get over" 35 million dead when the U.S. can get over the WTC.

Maybe I'm just slow - but who is "they". I am not sure what you mean.

[tman_ndsu08]

Japan killed 35 million Chinese in WWII.

[allen]

Actually Japan want a war with China now. If you read Japanese newspaper, you can see many articles calling for a decisive war against China as soon as possible, before it is too late, to terminate China's economic development.

One reason for this is, most Japanese deem China's rising as their curse, culturally, economically, and militarily. Japan has waged 5 wars against China in the last 1500 years in order to get a land on the continent. Its distaste of the four small islands is still obvious. Today many Japanese scholars and government officials believe there is no enough natural resources for both China and Japan to thrive, and one of them has to give way to the other.

Another reason is US factor. US likes to capitalize from the conflict between China and Japan, while Japan wants to borrow a hand from US to defeat China. Japan and US strengthed their military alliance this year earlier, stating that if anyone is attacked the other has the responsibility to protect the attacked. This alliance is what Japan wants most. With the guarantee from US, Japan is very anxious to provoke China. It is seeking an excuse for a war! Look at what they have done this year: extending the covering range of this alliance to Taiwan which both countries officially regard as part of China (this means if China attacks Taiwan both countries will jump to the war), and disputed esten sea island and sourrounding area, encouraging and supporting Taiwan separaists, approving Japanese companies to drill in sea area disputed with China, history textbooks, shrine visit, etc.

Facing the superpower "hijacked" by Japan, China can do little but exchanging words with Japan. China is not stupid to go into that snare Japan set. But being too weak can cause internal troubles. China's words and diplomatic action against Japan is just a show to Chinese people. Everyone know they do not work on Japan.