Do you think it is a good idea for the emperor to visit Pearl Harbor?

Monday 09th March, 03:00 AM JST

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Robusta at 03:53 PM JST - 10th March

USNinJapan2

why shouldn't a US president also visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

I guess (judging by your nickname!) you may have less than a balanced view on the subject, but I am inclined to feel that the informed international consensus may be that while the attack on Pearl Harbour was indeed an unprovoked outrage, the A-Bomb attacks constitute the single greatest episode of disregard for innocent humans in history insofar as so many were (knowingly!) killed by one act.

We at last have the less gung-ho president we have been hoping for, and American presidents have a duty to come to terms with the past, present and future consequences of the nations own international ambitions.

Not that it would help the souls of children fried more than 60 years ago....
sailwind at 05:04 PM JST - 10th March

I was stationed on a warship homeported at Pearl. One of my finest memories was of one day when I was the Petty Officer of The Watch during the Eight to Twelve watch. At 8 A.M sharp colors is held. The American flag is hoisted and the Watch time salutes smartly while the National Ensign is rising to full staff, the salute is held until the National Anthem is over.

The Japanese also do this same tradition, as all other Nations Navies do. In the case of another nations ship that is visiting the host nation. The host nations national anthem is played first, then the visiting nations anthem is played. Both countries watch teams hold the salute until the anthems are complete and only then do they drop the salute and 'carry-on'.

I'm going to try to paint a picture for you as to what happened that day. My ship was moored inboard to the pier. She was a 'small boy' a Fast Frigate or FFG, outboard of us and nested along side was a Japanese Destroyer also a 'small boy' roughly the same size as my ship.

Both our quarterdecks were located on the 'fantail' or for the landlubbers here, the flat end in the back. Our ships were side to side. Right before colors goes down, the watch team assembles on the flight deck ready to go through this tradition. As I was getting into position to render the salute, I looked to my left at my Japanese counterpart getting ready to do the same thing. Just beyond him and across the loch and well within eyesight was the USS Arizona memorial. They also raise the flag at 8 A.M sharp above her as she is still 'in commission' as an honor to the sailors that perished that day.

Colors went down our flag was raised in unision with the Rising Sun ensign right next to us and the Arizona's flag raised at the same time.

As I was holding the salute as our respective countries national anthems were played, I look to my left and I may not be able to do this justice in this post or my limited writing skills, but I'll try to describe the feeling. Our flag was lined up perfectly with the Japanese Flag, which in turn was lined up perfectly with the USS Arizona's flag which at that very moment the sun rose over the Wainaie mountian range ( the very same range the Japanese used as a navigation landmark to guide her attackers to Pearl.

I thought to myself "Who would've believed that 60 years this would ever happen our warships side by side and to be in thet perfect place to witness colors between our two nations now at peace".........I've carried that day as one of the most profound in my Naval Career. I only hope the Emporer could also be so lucky to have an experience like that when he visits.

USNinJapan2

I have also visited Hiroshima and have paid my respect there. I'm not agaisn't a U.S President paying his respect there also. Though I have to ask this question would a visit by a U.S head of State just be a reminder that the Japanese are a defeated nation and that maybe it would be better not to rub salt in that wound?

They are a very proud people and rightly so, I think that aspect should also be taken into consideration as to why no President has made the gesture yet.

Long post, but I'm glad I had the chance to write it on this subject.
sailwind at 05:15 PM JST - 10th March

One last thing...Apologies for all the typo's and bad spelling. Was in a hurry!!!
USNinJapan2 at 10:37 PM JST - 10th March

Robusta

why shouldn't a US president also visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

I'm afraid you've misread/misunderstood my post. I personally wouldn't have a problem if the POTUS visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki and nowhere in my post did I say anything to the contrary. goodDonkey said in his post that if the Japanese Emperor were to visit Pearl Harbor then the US President would be duty bound to reciprocate by visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Where I disagree with him is that I don't equate the Emperor, a cultural figurehead who is not a head-of-state, with the President of the United States who is the elected leader of his country, and therefore I wouldn't consider their visits reciprocal in nature. In my opinion for that to happen the Prime Minister of Japan would be the one who officially visits Pearl Harbor to pay his respects.

As for your guess that I probably don't share your evidently "balanced" opinion regarding the US' use of atomic weapons in WWII, you would be correct. I believe the dropping of the two A-bombs was the most efficient and the appropriate tactical choice that the US military could have made at the time with the goal of swiftly ending and winning the war. Yes, the decision killed many people in an unprecedented manner and fried many children as you so colorfully put it, but that was the objective of war (on both sides) in that day and age. People nowadays have gotten too used to the media-friendly limited military engagements that have become the norm in recent years and forget that back then countries engaged in total wars in which there was no such thing as collateral damage. But Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not the subject of this thread so I will comment on them no more here...
rranta at 08:01 AM JST - 11th March

I think it would be a great idea. A final smoothing out of hard feelings. They still exist and I think having The Emperor visit would be the right thing to do.
LFRAgain at 12:46 PM JST - 11th March

Sailwind,

That was an excellent post. I couldn't have picked a better example myself of the importance and significance of Japan's and America's current friendship. Thanks for the good read.
OssanAmerica at 03:56 AM JST - 12th March

The Chrysanthemum throne is dripping in the blood of innocent millions. >The Emperor of Japan and his family shouldn't even be allowed in the >states. They are an embarrassment to humanity. An affront to decency.

Sorry but the United States doesn't feel that way. Hope you feel better.
OssanAmerica at 03:59 AM JST - 12th March

He needs to see the consequences of his Daddy's poor decisions. >hopefully, he'll learn something, and produce a formal, signed-and->sealed, written apology to those nations his Daddy ordered to be invaded >and occupied.

I'd say looking at Japanese history from 1945 to 2009, that the "Emperor", or Japan as a nation has indeed learned something. Now perhaps you can educate me about which particular nations are officially requesting a "signed and sealed written apology" from the Japanese government, because I don't know of any and that includes the PRC and ROK.
USARonin at 04:09 AM JST - 12th March

Yes, it's a good idea.

And forget all that PC apology bidness. The war ended four generations ago.

Stop beatin' the Japanese people down and get on with your own life.
Jigg88 at 12:19 AM JST - 13th March
i said no because...
1. who cares?
2. we have bigger problems right now than to worry about Pearl Harbor
soothsayer at 05:54 AM JST - 13th March

You need an empire before you can have an emperor, hehe

Japan has Okinawa, Ogasawara, Honolulu, Guam, Saipan, Cairns, etc. hehe
Weasel at 08:53 AM JST - 13th March

Go on and let him visit, he isn't going to hurt anyone. The war's been over for a long time. It's fine to remember it in your head, it's not when you choose to live it in your heart.
Robusta at 04:12 PM JST - 13th March

A strong argument against his visit would be if it were subsequently used to further any nationalist cause.

As the nationalists in Japan are thankfully the subject of ridicule, it's very unlikely.

I was also wondering if perhaps that during the Emperor's visit to Pearl the government could issue a polite request for a timetabled withdrawal of US troops from Japan, a la Iraq?

It would be cool - two withdrawals for the price of one!!
GW at 10:11 AM JST - 14th March

As for whether the visit is worth it, it will all depend on what the emperor is allowed to say & do, imo the potential to screw up isnt worth the risk, but it will probably come & go & everyone will be wondering what the point of the visit was because the emperor didnt really say or do anything, but thats how the handlers want it
SuperLib at 12:04 PM JST - 15th March

Why shouldn't he visit it? Besides, it will get coverage and that means Japanese people will learn more about their role in the war.

It's also good as a statement to reaffirm the positive relationship Japan and the US have today. To go from what we had then to what we have now is pretty amazing, in my opinion. I get more mud thrown at me by Europeans, our allies in the war, than Japan, our enemies.