From: wohfuchi@splash.Princeton.EDU (Wataru Ohfuchi)
Subject: Re: An open letter to the Emperor Akihito of Japa
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 01:38:55 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.175602.9311@ms.uky.edu> 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. 
>

  That is probably very true. I think this feeling is from the miserable
life in Japan during the last part of WWII and after the war. Bombardment.
Lack of food and energy. Please remember that many civilian Japanese
suffered the war, too.
  I do not mean here that the Japanese can forget about what the Koreans
and the Chinese suffered. What the Japanese Imperial Army did is
publicized in Japan.

>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.
>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.
>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.
>
>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.
>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.
>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.

  Let me say again that I do understand the author's frustration. The above
argument, however, frustrates and disappoints me very much.
I believe the majority of Japanese do NOT want war any more.

>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.

  I agree we need talk and learn about war more. That's why we're here
on this net.

...Wataru
-- 
  ...Wataru Ohfuchi
     Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Princeton University
     w1o@gfdl.gov