S Korea, China criticize ex-Japan air force chief over war essay

Sunday 02nd November, 05:53 AM JST

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ptolemy at 11:58 PM JST - 1st November

This "kiddie fight" is having diplomatic cosequences. Remember the S. Korean Ambassador was recalled from Tokyo about it. This issue paints all that South Korea discusses. Japan has apologized through the Emperor for the war crimes, its a dead issue except for the right wing Koreans keeping it alive.

Here is the story: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8175515.html
tclh at 05:25 AM JST - 2nd November

Colonial powers never apologied to any of their victims ,but yet life goes on.They do trades, they play sports, they have diplomatic relationships... no problem.

Japan apologies countless time and gives aids to many countries(including SK) in the region but still gets into trouble everytime someone in the government touches this matter.Japan should teach its people history as it is :Japan wanted minerals,energy resources,larger territory...thus invaded other countries to achieve this ambition. But it failed.That is all.
mtt at 09:05 AM JST - 2nd November

There are many questions and details we would like to discuss on it, but this is not the time yet. Yes, he is an insensitive idiot to bring it out when there are many who are still suffering from the effect of the war.

We must leave the objective truth to future historians, when we can hopefully face the facts without emotional and political biases.

Japan has officially apologized for the PAINS many were/are suffering and let's leave it as that.
JackBerstein at 09:17 AM JST - 2nd November

Truth hurts! That Tamogami's comments generated such a response is interesting; very interesting. If more people did like him, maybe the general population would finally get a clue as to what happened.
reddragonguy at 09:56 AM JST - 2nd November

China should cutting off all the bilateral military ties with the Japanese seld defense force,it was totally unconstructive and they were no difference as the Imperial japanese military. They just changed the uniforms only but their mental was still staying in imperial-era.Those claims that the Japanese military was a force of democracy, theys houl;d feel shame for recommending such idea! General Tamonagi was too' honest' the entire SDF were no difference from!And the japanese government was furious was he spoke too much instead of keepingh mute but with that thinking!
Nessie at 10:39 AM JST - 2nd November

The curse of being a Liberal is that you can see two sides to every story.

...Even when there aren't two legitimate sides.
mushroomcloud at 11:11 AM JST - 2nd November

Last time I checked, Japan lost the war.

So, who should really care what the ASDF former chief says?
GG2141 at 11:25 AM JST - 2nd November

..Even when there aren't two legitimate sides.

Exactly, sometimes I wish I could be more like a republican. Choose one side, the one that best fits, and that is the end of debate.
mindovermatter at 11:49 AM JST - 2nd November

And you wonder why China and the rest of Asia are always so suspicious of Japan's motives.... And here's a prime example...

Their top Military guys, not to mention more than dozens of top politicians still believe Japan was justified in their early 1900's aggression.... And did nothing wrong...

This is why it's so important that Japan teach the correct version of history... They have millions and millions of young people today, not to mention a complete generation of the aging populous, that believe not only was Japan justified, but was the victim....

And you can meet these "Victims" everyday... It's the old guy on the street that gives you the racist angry snotty look, it's the 20 somethings going on 40 somethings years old's living at home with their mom... all you have to do is open your eyes....

Go figure...

I have no problem laying blame on GW for his illegal acts of war... Come on japan... It's time to grow out of that 12 year old mentality....

It makes you believe that the Chinese actually know Japan better than Japan knows itself...
CaptDingleheimer at 12:28 PM JST - 2nd November

That's fine, but how about at least acknowledging support for the fact that the government fired him? Childish, you two...
bushlover at 10:33 PM JST - 2nd November

It's no surprise that China and Korea would criticize. Unfortunately for them that is as much as they can do. It's all starting to fall on deaf ears on my end of it. A bunch of cry babies that never can get over the past. As many of you say Japan can't get out of that 12 year old mentality neither can the Chinese and Koreans that keep on whining.
tclh at 03:43 AM JST - 3rd November

China and SK :never forgive ,never forget,that is their problem also.
Azrael at 05:44 AM JST - 3rd November

The essay was made public Friday by the hotel and condominium developer Apa Group, which announced Tamogami had won the grand prize in a ‘‘True Modern Historical Perspective’’ contest organized by it. The prize came with an award of 3 million yen.

Will Gen Toshio Tamogami have to give back the 3 million yen prize he won for this essay?
OssanULTRA at 07:07 AM JST - 3rd November

China should cutting off all the bilateral military ties with the >Japanese seld defense force,it was totally unconstructive and they were >no difference as the Imperial japanese military. They just changed the >uniforms only but their mental was still staying in imperial-era.

Please keep repeating this nonsense as it assures US military presence in Japan for the forseeable future. Which in turn prevents China fromm attaining the goal of replacing the United States as the dominant strategic power in East Asia. Thank you.
JGNichols at 04:03 AM JST - 7th November

General Tamogami showed an apalling lack of world awareness and perhaps even of the concept that miltary leaders should be aware of the world.

According to Ptolemey above the Emperor has appologized to the Korean people and nation for prior acts. Was it really appropriate for General Tamogami to say now that the Emperor had nothing to appologize for?

With regard to the Pearl harbor bit, had he said that Japan had been tricked into attacking Pearl Harbor and and he was appologizing for the War Command on 1941 who were so foolish to fall for such a transparent ruse it would have been insightful if rather Machiavellianian. (Although it is more correct to say goaded than tricked as it was quite open on FDR's part and the attack was expected by America in the Phillipines not Pearl Harbor.)

However as translated the statement sounds as though he is both clueless and that he feels that the military owes nothing to the Japanese people much less foreigners. It was not the fault of the men launching an expanded war in which there was no hope of anything but a crushing defeat (leaving out the question of morality of war) , they were tricked.

You can be tricked in war and poker because you are fallible. It does not mke you less responsible.

Note to George W Bush, political and military leaders are responsible even for unintended consequences. Tricked by WMD does not cut it.

I hope that when we discover that this essay contest was sponsored by Korean or Chinese Intelligence the safely retired general will say "My God I was stupid" not "I was tricked".

Japan is a great nation. It is wrong to say any nation should reclaim gretness. Nations should move forward and not feel sorry about the past.