From: davidg@aegis.or.jp (Dave McLane)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan,soc.culture.china
Subject: Re: An open letter to the Emperor Akihito of Japa
Date: 20 Aug 92 11:01:19 GMT
Followup-To: soc.culture.japan
Organization: Aegis Society, Kyoto Japan

gang@ms.uky.edu (Gang Li) writes:

>davidg@aegis.or.jp (Dave McLane) writes:

>>To give you another possibility, a lot of people I've talked with
>>say that the intense desire for peace is because life was very
>>terrible in Japan during the war. They are afraid that if the
>>Japanese military were once again to gain political power their life
>>would be terrible once again. In other words, it's an intra-national
>>conflict the are worried about. 

>Very important point here. The reason why the life was very terrible in Japan
>during the war could supposed to be:

>1. Japanese army was not strong enough. So if they have a stronger army, then
>   things will be fine.

Arghhh, I guess I should have provided some details....

No, what I was referring to was how, according to their children,
enlisted men led a very difficult life in the sense that one of the
ways they taught to be obedient was to have their teeth knocked out
by officers's shoes. Or how they would be rounded up and taken in
by the police if they said something that wasn't to be said.

>2. Their resources are not enough. Then, if the army promiss they can get more
>   from the other countrys by "entering peacefully". that will be fine.
>   But there is no peaceful entering ever, you have to kill every one who
>   dare to say no, and the more you kill the more hatred you create, and one
>   day you will get it back. They are not from NOWHERE.

Yes, I think so. And the more you hate, the more you will get it
back.  I talked to one of the people who I rely on for information
about how Japan was during that time (hard to find it in books) and
she said that she felt that many Japanese loved American life but
this was very damaging to the social structure as the leaders of a
vertical society must have absolute power. Thus their lives were
terrible as they had to pretend to hate Americans and call them
kikuchi as otherwise the police would come for a visit. 

>3. Their economy was not strong enough. But one day,when they are the number one
>   in the world, then that will not be a problem. One day, they hear a news
>   someone is endangering our life by so and so. Then it is very simple to
>   say "send the army there", 'course no one know and care what will happen
>   in the other country.

Could be, but what I had in mind was that according to the people I
speak with, the Japanese army commited atrocities with it's own
people. That's what I meant when I said that life was terrbile during
the war.

>So if they think that this are the courses of terrible life in the war, and
>try to solve it. One day they may be able to get a strong army, economy, then
>nothing should be afraid of. But the other countries won't just sit there
>they will also build up their army. When one day there is a war, it won't do
>anyone any good.

I agree.

>That is what people worry about. Because they don't think "enter" other country
>is wrong, why they say regret from the text book you only know that it was
>Japanese had a terrible life in the war. And the reason are those like the
>above. Since they had a terrible time and you didn't, but they have to regret,
>that is a shame to them.

No no. I am saying that the people I know don't want to see a
strong, military Japan as they army treated them badly, just like it
did people in China and Korea. Maybe not so badly, but badly enough.

>Do you think all chinese are hatred-educated want to shame Japanese and posibly
>invade Japan one day. But if chinese don't know how terrible the life is when
>your army "enter" other contry. They might try (though this is the last thing
>I want to believe.) And they think you did those thing and get away safe.
>They'd like try it one day, IF THEY HAVE HALF THE CHANCE.

Perhaps. It seems to follow.

>The only thing to prevent this I think is let people to talk with each other
>not only "your father killed my father", but talk the War did to all those
>people, and never to fight again. But without the truth, where is the talk.

Right. Agreed. I'm for it. So now we come to the practical details
of how to go about this. I think there is a lot to learn about how
to say what you need to say in order to feel you've expressed
yourself but at the same time you want to do so in such a way that
the other person can understand you. 

>BTW: How come the title of your post is soc.culture.japan, but posted to
>soc.culture.china. I'd like to learn. thanks.

Because the post which I followed up to was to both newsgroups as
indicated by the Newsgroups: line in the headers. It's still the
same so this post will go to both newsgroups.

Dave

--
Dave McLane 
JUNET: davidg@aegis.or.jp (ONLY within Japan: post otherwise)
Nagaokakyoshi, Kyoto Japan Tel: +81-75-951-1168 Fax: +81-75-957-1087
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan