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Abe pledges Japan's commitment to world peace

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On Aug 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender on the radio, the first time the general public had ever heard his voice as he had been considered to be almost divine.

The Emperor Hirohito's speech given on that day is known as the Gyokuon Hoso (玉音放送). As a child, before I ever knew anything about Japan I remember hearing the most famous line from that speech where he said that with the surrender the people of Japan would have to "endure the unendurable and suffer what is insufferable" (堪へ難きを堪へ、忍ひ難きを忍ひ in his words, or 私はこれから耐え難いことを耐え、忍び難いことを忍んで in modern Japanese).

I have always found that line ironic, because the Japanese people had been suffering the insufferable during the war, but the surrender has brought decades of peace and more prosperity than Japan has ever known.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Zichi... World War II started in 1914.

In fact.. the reason why the WW II (as for the battles that took place during 1939 and 1945), were due to the US entered to the party in Europe and the Pacific.... The attack of Pearl Harbor has the final push.

But without the US joining in.. most probably it would not be called WW II.. but just Euro Asian War or something like that.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Surely he meant to say "The peace and prosperity that we now enjoy have been built AFTER the precious sacrifices of the war dead."

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The war between China and Japan that started in 1937 was also for the reason of peace.

This is the right meaning of the word 'peace' which come out off the Japanese.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Daniel: zichi stated it pretty well, but just in case your bizarre logic that WWII started at the beginning of WWI with the US going to Europe (and the Pacific??), keep in mind the US didn't join WWI until 1917. Not at all sure what you are suggesting.

In any case, the last thing Abe is qualified to talk about is peace, aside from being unqualified to be PM, of course. You notice how he never talks about his grand plan to revise the pacifist constitution at these ceremonies? It's thanks to people like him these ceremonies exist in the first place!

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Weasel words.

"Today is a day on which we renew that pledge toward peace."

What is "that pledge" he refers to? It' s not mentioned here.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Abe wants "World Peace!"

I'm sorry but this line cracked me up.

He wants world peace so, he's beefing up the military, building a huge mega base in Henoko, beefing about the Russians not handing back the Kuril islands and all of his cabinet are going to Yasukuni to really piss off the Chinese and Koreans.

If Abe's "peace" is as effective as his "Abenomics," I think it's time to move to New Zealand.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Well...

World War II is just a continuation of the first one so I always like to say that the WW II begun in 1914.. is a joke... lack of sense of humor I see.

I am not here to argue in detail the historical facts.. I sure know you guys have done your home work.. very rarely I argue with you in that. What I do is to disagree in your points of view (I think I am entitled to do it, right?)

The fact is... US did not go into the war until Japan attacked Hawaii. And if the US haven't got in to the war... it could hardly be said as World War....so

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

fxgai: "Surely he meant to say "The peace and prosperity that we now enjoy have been built AFTER the precious sacrifices of the war dead."

Exactly, exactly.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I see Mr. Smoke And Mirrors is up to his old tricks again. I used to work on a cattle station and I know very well what BS smells like. You are gonna have to move further upwind Abe cos I can smell your BS from Chiba!

0 ( +6 / -6 )

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, Japan is one of only 11 countries in the world that is not at war.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If Abe wants peace then he needs to pursue justice for all people.

Mmmm ... Daniel Neagari your point is taken, but there was also much fighting in Africa and the South Pacific. The US fought in the war, of course, but not in North America. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand fought as well, so I think that would make it a World War.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, Japan is one of only 11 countries in the world that is not at war.

Because they are prohibited from military action..... but someone has just changed that

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

'Almost' divine? Is that right?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

well, if he talks about peace, maybe he should have also invite delegates from neighboring countries and talk with them (during this event?) over current problems and how to avoid misunderstandings. but, maybe that is not possible this time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have a concern that Japan will be regarded just as an amiable country in the future from the global society. Japan is only one country which experienced two atomic bombs, isn't it ? Japan has been only one country which declared abolition of the right of waging any war in its constitution, hasn't it ? Personally, I never hope to join a war, which can ultimately lead to a nuclear war. I never hope this country to wage a war in the future.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

To all my advice is this: When a politician say something about what the want and will do especially when it comes to peace think the opposite. Case in point Obama said no more troops in Iraq months later he sent 'Advisers" then he sent 130 troops under the disguise of protecting American at the embassy and to Bomb ISIS positions. Politician can never do what they say they are going to do that why we call them POLY which means many TIC ians because the tell many lies that will suck the blood out of you!! Many ticks with liars disease!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As John and Yoko sang. Give peace a chance Japan has ;all be it as a result of their nasty past behavior ; Happen The Nationalist leaders fancy a change For our kids sake lets hope they see the light

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good for Abe.

Nothing wrong with him honoring war dead, happens in every nation in the universe.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@mgglife inferiority complex much?

The fact is... US did not go into the war until Japan attacked Hawaii. And if the US haven't got in to the war... it could hardly be said as World War....so

If the US didn't go to war, it would have been the last war as independent countries for much of Europe and Asia. I think that qualifies as "World War".

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In other news:

Maryam Mirzakhani, Iranian mathematician, Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University, became the first woman to win the Fields Medal in Mathematics in Seoul, Korea.

Congrats Dr Mirzakhani!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We have a Self Defense Force to protect us from foes like the Republic of Korea. What if they invade Tsushima? Some of their lawmakers want to reverse policy and do this. So while Abe wants peace those around Japan want kataki (revenge). Wonders if Japan could be invaded by the Peoples Republic of China, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation at the same time? So while we pray for peace have to prepare to defend ourselves.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

oldman_13: "Good for Abe. Nothing wrong with him honoring war dead, happens in every nation in the universe."

No, it happens only in Japan. Do you know a country that honors war dead, the war criminals?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

John Y 921, well there is Russia with their worship of Stalin and others. Then there is Peoples Republic of China and their worship of Mao. Almost forgot Republic of Korea with whitewashing the crimes of their soldiers. Really Japan wants to live in peace but stay out of our internal affairs. If our foes Peoples Republic of China, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation want peace it can be found. If they want war they need only to attack, the SDF is waiting for their RSVP. Japan will never strike first but we will protect ourselves to the utmost!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

YuriOtani: "Japan will never strike first."

What about the sneak attach on Pearl Harbor? Didn't Japan start the WWII?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

JohnY921Aug. 16, 2014 - 09:08AM JST oldman_13: "Good for Abe. Nothing wrong with him honoring war dead, happens in every nation in the universe." No, it happens only in Japan. Do you know a country that honors war dead, the war criminals?

With over 2,400,000 souls enshrined there from various wars going back to the late 1800s, the convicted war criminals comprise a miniscule number. China presently worships the biggest murderer of Chinese in history,

YuriOtani: "Japan will never strike first." What about the sneak attach on Pearl Harbor? Didn't Japan start the WWII?

In the Engish language "will" is a future tense. It refers to events and actions in the future, Not the past, And no, Japan did not "start WWII" Germany did when it invaded Poland in September 1939,

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I do not see the contradiction between committing to lasting peace and strengthening one's defenses with a neighbor like China. In fact, it's perfectly logical; peace has a price.

zichi

Not sure what kind of revisionism you are attempting but even with the Japanese attack on America, Japan attacked a number of other countries, including several under the control of Britain.

And I am certain you remember that Japan was an ally of Britain, France and the US during World War I and obtained most of Germany's concessions in China thanks to that.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

He's very diplomatic and with his recent country hopping where he was able to accomplish a lot and now merely sending an emissary to the Shrine though I bet someone as nationalistic as he could have been very eager to go. indeed, he is trying his best to work for peace. Ditto for him!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Is amending Article 9 and re-armaming of Japanese Military Mr Abe's answer to World peace?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan promotes world peace by preventing China from invading other countries and stealing their natural resources. It will be China that starts a war, not Japan or any other Asian country in that region.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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