So i was watching the news, and reading a few papers today, and I it seemed to me I always stumbled acroos things like "Japan has not apoligized...", "Japan should apoligize..." This is relating to things Japan did in the past to other countries in Asia. Why is it that other countries can hate Japan whereas Japan has to stay quiet on on issues like this.
I think Japan should be proud of its history and not "apologize" for the past. Every country has done bad things yet the other Asian countries make it seem as if Japan is the "only" country that has done so. I don't see any reason for your country to bow to the other countries wishes.
Now correct me if I'm wrong here! I'm just viewing this from an outside perspective.

I think a big part of it has to do with the fact that for a long time Japan sort of acted like what they did never happened, which could be seen as extremely offensive (sort of like trying to tell people that the Holocaust never happened.) But Japan *did* apologize (see here) and I don't understand if they want them to apologize again or what?
I think Japan should be proud of its history and not "apologize" for the past. Every country has done bad things yet the other Asian countries make it seem as if Japan is the "only" country that has done so.
Eehh, Japan is pretty much the "only" country that colonized and enslaved its neighbouring countries, forcing the people of the conquered territories to change their names to Japanese names (which, in areas where ancestor worship is the norm, is an unthinkable disgrace) and committed war crimes only comparable to the Nazis. I don't think any of these are things they should be proud of, but they already did apologize and over 60 years after it all there's only so much they can do...

I think they should apologize! And I also think everyone of Germanic descent should apologize for helping bring about the downfall of my ancestors Roman Empire!!! (sarcasm)

Has Japan ever apologized? I mean not just for the war, but for things like biological warfare testing on Chinese civilians and the Rape of Nanjing. Admittedly it's an outsider's view, but from my perspective the Japanese as represented by their government often come off as resentfully unrepentant for their actions during the war.

Nah. When they finally decided to make some effort it was so long ago it shouldn't matter. I don't think the Chinese will ever be satisfied with anything Japan does, though, so I think they don't even try (Japan). As far as visiting war criminals graves, the whole honor thing in Japan could explain it, and the Chinese are being overly sensitive. After all, look at what Japan got as far as WMD warfare. Everyone got screwed over in WWII and wining about who apologized to who when is not going to change anything.

I think Japan should be proud of its history and not "apologize" for the past. Every country has done bad things yet the other Asian countries make it seem as if Japan is the "only" country that has done so.


A true apology is an unqualified acknowledgment of fault. On one hand we have an official apology on the other hand the we have incidents like the government revising japanese textbooks to water down any mention of atrocities.

It's all ancient history now but you will surprised just how long racial memory is. Just look at the middle east and its two thousand year old blood feud.

Remember, it's not just the Chinese that's annoyed by this sort of apology. As you say all the other asian countries are feeling exactly the same way, so it's not a chinese thing. It's a human thing.

Hmmm....makes me curious what Japanese history textbooks say about pearl harbour. Clever strategy or dastardly attack? You know what my money's on.