Japan Should Learn From Germany

[tinybear]

Yup, here's how Germany deals with her war past and with the threat of a resurgence of Neo-Nazism:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7722019/

"This weekend, for the anniversary of the end of World War II, almost 30,000 people are expected to stand in a 20-mile long line, holding candles in silent protest of the neo-Nazi march. German locals, peace activists and politicians are due to gather in large numbers at Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s historic landmark, showing the world that today's Germany opposes extremist tendencies.

The far-right demonstration will be kept away from sites dedicated to the victims of the Nazi regime — like the new Holocaust memorial. But, the gathering is still a thorn in the eyes of a great majority of Germans and especially of those politicians, who had tried to ban the march."

"That is why we as journalists have a strong responsibility — that is why it is so important to continue the education of future generations," said professor Guido Knopp, a historian and TV producer.

Knopp has produced several prize-winning documentaries about Nazi history for German television, ZDF. A total of 4.6 million viewers tuned in to a recent documentary on the bombing of Dresden.

"There is no such thing as collective guilt, guilt is always linked to individuals," Knopp said. “But there is a collective responsibility in Germany not to forget," he added.

If Japan can do something similar, then maybe she can exorcise herself from the ghosts of the past. The question is why can't she? What is the difference between Germany and Japan?

[Matt W]

What is the difference between Germany and Japan?

Germany spent a generation under effectual direct occupation by both the Soviets and the western powers, with them constantly being told about the horrors of Auchwitz and other concentration camps.

The Japanese were occupied for a few years by America, which felt guilt about Hiroshima & Nagasaki - and thus kept relatively quiet. Plus, it was a staging post for the Armies fighting in N.Korea - and also, a lot of the Japanese military were employed in the immediate aftermath of WW2 suppressing independence movements amongst former European colonies.

[castille]

If there's one thing China learnt from World War 2, it is "nukes are power!".

[tinybear]

Has China also learnt that corruption, nepotism and lack of regard for human life and rights will lead to a regime's demise?

But we digress...This thread's about Germany and Japan. :)

[Wickedcharley]

The Japanese and the Germans continue to think of themselves as the best of their respective continents. In point of fact, we the Americans have taken lessons from both of them, producing goods in China, like the Japanese, and South America like the Germans. The Japanese never had to make reparations to their holocaust victims (China) as the Germans did with the Jews. I've heard that our failure to destroy Japan was one thing China hates about us. And, it's obvious from the news that China would still like to do that...
Hatred, arrogance and xenophobia have and will continue to exist... until the End.

[castille]

Quote by: tinybear Has China also learnt that corruption, nepotism and lack of regard for human life and rights will lead to a regime's demise?

Yeah, we learnt a little TOO much from the Americans.

Germany was also occupied by the Soviet Union, who bore the brunt of their atrocities (20 million Soviets dead). Germany paid dearly for their crimes.

In contrast, China never occupied Japan. Only the USA, who had never been hurt by Japan much (Pearl Harbour is puny compared with Nanjing or the Phillipines), occupied Japan.

[allen]

Quote by: Wickedcharley The Japanese and the Germans continue to think of themselves as the best of their respective continents. In point of fact, we the Americans have taken lessons from both of them, producing goods in China, like the Japanese, and South America like the Germans. The Japanese never had to make reparations to their holocaust victims (China) as the Germans did with the Jews. I've heard that our failure to destroy Japan was one thing China hates about us. And, it's obvious from the news that China would still like to do that... Hatred, arrogance and xenophobia have and will continue to exist... until the End.

no, no you got wrong. We chinese have never hated US on this. It was Chinese scientist advised US not to nuke Tokyo and switch to small cities. During WWII, The first alliance bombers that attacked Japan main islands were not American bombers, but Chinese bombers, unfortunately without bombs, but with brochures and handbills. China defeated Japan several times in history but has never thought about destroying it.

Chinese are very thankful toward US for American's assitance and sacrifice in China (or in pacific ocean) during WWII. I have never heard any hate caused by anything in WWII. I would rather say any hate toward US would be caused by the issue of Taiwan.

The reason Japan weasel out was korean war, or the rise of communism in China. US wanted an ally to resist communism in far east and Japan was the best candidate.

Japan can decide if it want to learn from Germany. But I should say China shall learn from US: show no mercy to your enemies.