Abe took the first steps towards the “normalization” of Japanese foreign policy last week with the introduction of his constitutional revision plan at the opening of the spring parliamentary session. Said Abe, “Now is the time for us to boldly revise this postwar regime and make a new start.” It’s about time, I say. But some are of a more extreme opinion and want to rewrite history. Satoru Mizushima has recently announced the production of a film denying the Nanjing Massacre. The film, which will “correct the errors of history”, is to be released this August. Talk about a quick start!
Comments to this entry
Peter
January 28, 2007
5:49 am
Peter
www.kotare.typepad.com/thestrategist
yellowpeep
January 28, 2007
7:32 am
Yes, there are some revisionists on WWII. However, since freedom of speech has been established in Japan, there's always spectra in opinions. Criticizing extremelists and overshadowing main stream? A very lame view it is.
There are plenty of historians and citizens who investigate what had happend in Nanjing in 1937. Just let them discuss whatever they want. This is still one of the major topics in Japan. Some want to whitewash it while others don't. Japan as a nation, can't ban any movies nor support them. If Mizushima wants to produce one, do it.
At that time in 1937, by the way, Kuomintang government, led by Chiang Kaishek was known to be brutal, killing many Chinese civillains. Before Japanese invasion in Nanjing, the city was already destroyed and many guerillas were infilterating into the city. Japanese troop had a hard time to wipe the guerillas out. Plus, before that incident, Japanese civillains were killed and raped in mainland, which of cource riled up the opinion of "Chinese don't follow rules." I don't say Japan should be justified, though. There are lots of aspects. Of course Japan got a lot of reasons to be blamed as an invader.
It's very simple to make a dualistic choice of which is evil with a symbolic incident. War is not that simple.