From: smittie@beach.csulb.edu (Smittie)
Subject: On Japanese apologies
Organization: Cal State Long Beach
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 18:29:48 GMT

It is easy, in the heat of the moment, to lose sight of one's on perspective on
a given issue. Such is the case with the current discussion regarding Japan's
apology to China for atrocities committed during WWII.

I believe that every country has a responsibility to present in its schools the
complete historical record of its past, both the good and the bad. In practice
I think there are very few countries that do so. The intrepretation of that
historical record is subjective and should be the perjogative of the country
itself. With regard to Japan, the Ministry of Education should seek to make
sure that an accurate account of Japan's actions in WWII are presented. A
problem arises here in the determination of what is accurate. I think that to a
certain extent complaints from Asia at large about what Japan is or is not
including in its high school history texts may serve to improve the accuracy of
those texts. A problem arises however in determining what is intrepretation and
what is representation of fact. In any case I think that China and the Chinese
people are within their right to protest Japanese history texts that are
perceived as not representing a factual account of Japanese actions in China
during WWII. Japan is also within its right to assess those complaints and make
their own decisions.

The call for an apology is, at least in my mind, a more complicated problem. I
believe that at some point in time the validity of such an apology is negated.
Decendents of those people who were forcibly removed from Africa to work on
American plantations could demand an apology from me, my generation or even the
current government. As I review history I think that slavery in America was a
terrible atrocity. I feel or have a lot of sympathy for those who were forced
to endure it. However, my apology, an apology from my generation, or even an
apology from the current government to the decendents of those who were forced
to endure it is for all intents and purposes, of no consequence. Likewise, I
think that the internment of Americans of Japanese decent was an extreme
injustice. However, my apology or an apology from my generation is of little
significance. Furthermore, the recent apology and compensation from the US
government is really of little consequence. Yes, it is an acknowledgement that
what was done was wrong and I guess there is some significance in that.
However, there was a great deal of resistence to the bill and every possible
excuse for a delay was used thereby bringing into question its sincerity. The
sum of $10,000 is seen by most as little more than conscience and hush money.
The amount does not even begin to cover the material losses experienced by most
of the people to whom it is being paid. I do agree with the position taken by
the US government that only surviving internees could collect the compensation.
The one exception that I would make is the family of any internee who died
while interned or as a result of internment should be able to collect as well.

Japan should have been made to pay compensation to China and to the victims of
the atrocities committed by the Japanese immediately after WWII. I am not sure
whether they were or not. If they were not I suspect that at least some of the
blame for that rests on the shoulders of the American government of the time
and SCAP. If Japan did pay some form of compensation to the Chinese then it is
reasonable for the Japanese to consider that matter of compensation closed.

In short I understand and even agree with Chinese protests of Japan's
consensureship of history. I question whether there can be any reasonable
outcome in the Chinese demand for an apology. I think it is largely
unreasonable for the Chinese to demand compensation, though my thoughts on that
could be swayed depending on whether Japan has paid any kind of compensation to
date.

Whenever this issue is brought to the fore there always follows the posts
containing senseless hatred and contempt for the Japanese themselves. Calling
them "Japs," and all the other inflammatory and derogatory actions are
repulsive. They detract from any validity that sensible arguments might have.
They make it very difficult for those outside the issue to intelligently assess
the arguments. The Chinese who seek signatures on that open letter which was
the beginning of this whole flame war realize the need and advantage of allies.
But many will be hesistant to show themselves in your ranks when such ranks
include blatant racists and open hatred.

My apologies for contributing to the flame-fest which, as yet, has resulted in
a lot of animosity and little else.

smittie
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GEnie, MCI, AOL:Smittie | If all of us were as smart as we think we are the
smittie@beach.csulb.edu |  current world problems would be yesterday's news.
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