Why Has Japan Never Apologized

WHY HAS JAPAN NEVER APOLOGIZED 

by Bob Schneider

World War II ended 60 years ago but the world has yet to get a valid apology. By valid I mean sincere, unambiguous and official.. The all-important question is why? Everyone speculates but only Japan knows the reason. 

All sorts of atrocities occurred in The Massacre of Nanjing and the Battle of the Pacific but most are known so there is no need to repeat them here. In the Massacre of Nanjing, Japan instituted a system of Comfort Women for the sexual comfort of its troops. Sooner or later, most of the women ( South Korean, North Korean and Chinese ) were killed by some form of butchery.

For a time at the conclusion of the war, Japan said the massacre was imagined, & didn’t happen; etc; the fact is that it happened.. The Comfort Women filed claims for apology and remuneration but little has happened. Why? Could it be that the violated women are old now and will soon die and Japan knows that the matter will end there. Perhaps other solutions to Japan’s problem can be thought up but one thing is certain, aging will result in the ultimate solution. Could that the goal of the Japanese ?

Over a period of years, officials of Japan have apologized on a one-on-one basis but they were rejected because they were flawed, i.e., unofficial; etc.  Again we see how stalling is one way to solve the problem.. In the late 1990s, former Prime Minister Murayama offered an apology but , here again, it was not official because it had been defeated in the diet. 

In a speech in Tokyo March 19-20, 2005, Secretary of State Condolleeza Rice told Japan that the United States will fully support their effort to become a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations. Obviously she didn’t say: Even though you have never apologized . She did say that Japan’s good behavior was another reason for supporting Japan. That is powerful support but what happens if subsequently the UN should require permanent member to have no dirty linen such as Japan’s history of atrocities during the war?.  I see the matter somewhat differently.

A government is a link in a long chain; and even though the present administration was not involved in the war, I believe it owes an apology with the wording adjusted for the circumstances. It is known that the current administration probably has an emotional tie to the war years since Prime Minister Koizumi prays at the shrine which contains about 2500 souls of war dead including a number of Class A war criminals.

It appears to me that the 60 years since the war should not automatically qualify them for a high position  (permanent member of the UN Security Council ) because we know that this chain has at least two links. Of course there are numerous reasons suggested for not apologizing ( religion, history books, money , pride, etc. but none seems to be especially valid ). 

I have worked for about 7 months surveying thee US and Pacific Rim Countries re. an apology from Japan. It had reached the stage when I was planning on having a bill introduced before Congress and a large veterans org. was expected to  help with publicity and interviews. Suddenly communications to and from Congress re. Apology from Japan were terminated and, in a similar manner. Communications with the vets. org. stopped. This stopped my program so Congress couldn’t debate my bill .  The outcome of a debate may have conflicted with the March ,19-20 meeting in Tokyo. I am not saying that this is exactly what took place but based on probability, no other explanation seems to fit.

The above ends up giving Japan a reward from the United States and  nothing for our veterans, who are ready to celebrate a remarkable anniversary .. The final picture can change but only politics and time will tell.

Much more could be included under the title : Why Has Japan Never Apologized , however, the above should suffice. Here are a few of my thoughts based on the perspective of Japan.

1                    No one ever pushed us for an apology over the 6o-year period.

2                    We ( Japan ) are counting on time (aging ) to ultimately solve the problem.

3                    Why issue an apology when you are rewarded anyway ( i.e., support for Permanent position on UN Security Council.

4                    We have learned that arrogance can be effective.

5                    Our friends don’t want to upset us.    

6                    We see how easy it is to stall.

7                    Countries are concerned that pushing us for an apology will have a negative impact on foreign trade and , therefore, money.

8                    In a few more decades, the memory of WW-II will have been erased and heritages will have been altered.

9                    Our friends do not seem to understand quid pro quo, therefore, this continues to be another advantage for us.

10                The perception others have of our religions and philosophies tempers their actions.

11                An apology could cause serious, internal political problems.

12                Why apologized when stalling works?