Ministry outlines Japan's preparations to mobilize for 'propaganda war'

So does this mean all sides in these childish territorial disputes will just shout louder "It's mine!" "No it's not, it's mine!", and while while they divert the public's attention with neo-nationalist rhetoric, they'll continue to redirect public funds into the pockets of the wealthy?

There is no solution to the anti-Japan propaganda. There are too many very well funded "Patriotic Groups" in China and Korea whose income depends on anti-Japanese sentiment. The last thing they want is pro-Japan sentiment to develop. But anyway, I doubt that there is really the integration between Chinese government and people. Chinese and Koreans are the largest tourist and student groups in Japan. I always have a great time in China (never been to Korea). Most people don't pay attention to these government spats except nationalists, who are loosers who have nothing but the country they were born in as a source of self esteme. That is the same in Japan too.

But anyway, I doubt that there is really the integration between Chinese government and people.

Given that the media in China is run by the government, and the internet is censored, whether the people realize it or not, they are wholly integrated.

I always have a great time in China

Going there to party is a lot different from living there...

I can't say I agree with all Japan's counter-arguments on these issues and claims but the idea of presenting a unified public relations campaign makes so much sense.

"Given that the media in China is run by the government..."

And NHK isn't? NHK broadcasts the Japanese point of view worldwide in English to countries around the world on the major satellite TV networks. How many Chinese or Korean-run TV channels in Japanese carried in Japan are there?

How Japan can save money and make friends. Own up to its hideous war crimes.

First, and further the most, biggest tool for Korean propaganda is their K-pop and K-dramas, where are all perfect, with trendy cloths and westernized image and also perfect ( under surgery ) idolized faces , with that, they create illusion of perfect country called Korea. Secondly, they then influence majority of Asia related sites to post only their Korean shows or music, ( my personal experience with drama related sites that call them self Asian , while maintaining only Korean ones, same as for instance SBS Asia , with 90% of music K-pop, only recently started to put small fraction of J-music , only to calm down people who were surprised with Korean only music ,and also, to mention Jpopasia site , who was mostly K-pop until some month ago, but still there is people there who work against Japan music, because oricon chart is not always perfectly posted, with links often posted to illegal video link , or even not posting link, even that there is legal video link on youtube, of course,what a surprise, main sponsors of site are Allkpop, and friendlice.la , and while we are on friendlice .la , its also site under the pretext of being ultimate asian fun, while on other hand, again, 90% of fun pics are related to K-pop, so, again we got something under Asia, but actually, its Korean .

Korea wants to create image of how they are leaders in Asia, and they will try everything to make it, because if they manage, they can isolate Japan cultural products from the rest of the world, simple, with K-pop they block J-music, with K-dramas they block J-dramas , and they have hands in Japan animation too, and not to mention their worst propaganda on how everything that is famous in world from Japan are from Korea ( samurai, ninja, katana , and itd itd ) , so, while they promote Korea, they also erase and trash Japan . Of course, I have to mention some trashing that I discovered in comment section at youtube Avril Lavigne video Hello Kitty , where at least two K-pop obsessed persons trashed Avril and those who liked video as idiotic weeabos , or obsessed wapaneze ( so , its ok being obsessed with Korea,but not with Japan,its bad , lol ) Another example that I want to show you is that in one european Asian online music shop, under Japan music, actually mostly were K-pop japan ver. so, even for people who want to listen Japan music, are on some way encouraged to listen K-pop.

As long as this BS won't be spewed out from trucks in the streets... like those black vans we all know and love!

the best kind of advertising is word of mouth. if non-japanese who have lived in japan had fewer stories about police harrasment and housing discrimination to tell their friends and family back home im sure japans image abroad would improve. there are so many great things about japan but the times the police searched you or the real estate agent told you "no gaijin" are going to stick in your mind more than times you got good customer service or had a some beers with good people.

First two words in this article: "Beset upon".

"Beset by"(probably) or "set upon by". Don't you read articles before you publish them?

Let's hope the ministry takes better care with what will doubtless be a very expensive hole to funnel our tax revenue into. I am not holding my breath, however.

I can't help thinking that thee should be much higher priorities than this. But for a pack of right-wing, revisionist goons, this probably is nearer the top of the agenda than, oh, let's say, providing support for the people in the disaster zones up north.

you can already witness the japanese propaganda machine any day of the week. Just turn on the TV and watch the numerous Oyaji talk/commentary shows who clearly know whats best for Japan and can give us all the "facts" and details about China, the U.S., Korea and anything else.

Mobilize for a propaganda war? This would be more like a surge in an ongoing war.

Japan does not need more and "better" propaganda. It needs to reverse course entirely. But Japan is just the type of nation to insist on full speed ahead in the wrong direction. Its a key reason they lost WWII.

What Japan needs to do is just start playing fair and being honest. More lies and obfuscations will just tie Japan even more strongly to its universally reviled imperial history.

My suggestions for Japan are: 1) Stop whitewashing war history nationally and internationally and do that with Diet resolutions that overshadow and isolate the noisy, lying right-wingers You don't look tough denying. You look pathetic. A real man can admit when is wrong. 2) China is not really an imminent threat, but it is the most serious. Cement relations with Taiwan by giving them back the Senkakus. After all, nobody understands the Chinese like the Taiwanese. You need them firmly by your side and those little islands would be worth the strengthened ties. 3) In conjunction with 2, recognize that Dokdo belongs to South Korea and strengthen ties with them too, against both China and North Korea. 4) Stop prodding Russia to return the Kuriles, as if they were a disputed horse. Instead, pressure the Russians to allow the people there to vote which country they want, complete with U.N. peacekeepers/ observers. Then accept the result. 5) Get rid of American bases in Okinawa. You look like an occupied chump. 6) Strengthen the SDF. Campaign for recruits on the basis that with fewer American bases, Japanese have to be ready to protect Japan if the need arises.

It's about time.

This incessant anti Japan propaganda and harassment has gone on for too long these past decades. The whitewashing of Japanese history done NOT by Japan, but instead by its neighbors South Korea and China.

Japan does face an uphill battle though. Any attempts to legitimately counter the falsehoods by China and South Korea are conveniently brushed aside by the anti Japan crowd.

JT - in 'modern' vernacular it is called PUBLIC RELATIONS- PR - AND EVERYONE ( corporations countries, etc) engages in it . . .Japan, as always, slow to get into this arena of managing its image. . .so GO FOR IT JAPAN - there is a lot of be proud of !!!!!

Good to hear. I'm glad Japan is moving to promote the protection of its sovereign territory and counter propaganda from two nations who have a vested interest in keeping the Japan-hate alive.

Neither China or Korea should complain internationally about Japan's treatment of history (just so they can steal Japan's sovereign territory and gain other concessions) when they don't have a great record in that regard.

Japan may have more work to do in atoning for its war crimes (what they've already done is usually ignored because anti-Japanese propaganda is good for the CPC and South Korean governments), but this should not be a highly politicized international issue.

Japanese history can only be dealt with in the context of European Imperialism. When Japan modernized (following Great Britian - the sun never sets on the British Empure) in the mid-1800s, that was the model. Japan just did it too well, and had to be taken down because it was taking the British Empire in Asia. So how about European countries stepping forward and joining the discussion. Japan was bloody, but Europeans were many more times bloody. China never mentions the Europeans. The Han Chinese are embarrassed because first they were conquered by Manchus, then Europeans, and even worse, little Japan came in and conquered them. That is just too embarrassing to Han Chinese. Chinese follow "White history".

Japan should not go on the propaganda war path, they will only come out looking dumber than China & Korea already do!

As I have said many a time if Japan wants to take the wind out of China/SKorean sails then simply do the following:

Admit your history, stop denying it, be honest (and CLEARER) in your "apologies"

Then you can just tell China/SKorea to just take a hike!

It REALLY is that simple, but alas likely never happen, the fireworks should likely present a real pathetic show if Japan jumps on this stupid wagon!

Japan is always tough after reflected on the errors, and determined to rectify them.

It will just keep telling the truth and facts to the world logically and strategically. Nothing more.

It may take time, but it is also true Japanese people would not easily give up after determined.

"Along with a new strategic information concept that will utilize NHK’s international broadcasts, the committee is expected to compile proposals for future moves within this year."

I hope that the "strategic information concept" is followed by a message that the content was made and paid by the LDP and not the views or budget of NHK. NHK President Katsuto Momii will certainly keep NHK 'fair and balanced' and not merely a propaganda tool for ANY government agency, individuals with-in the government or political parties or individual members of such parties holding power as it is completely in violation of NHK's charter. And even though President Momii was appointed by Prime Minister Abe and has made some lets say verbal blunders or slips-of-the-tongue remarks, I have complete faith in President Momii's/NHK's neutrality and know that they will do the right thing.

I have complete faith in President Momii's/NHK's neutrality and know that they will do the right thing.

Is that sarcasm?

I doubt many of the voices braying "admit your history".

What they really mean is accept the propaganda version of it we have.

We have yet to get to "the whole truth". Most of the C- and K-propaganda war is garbage done badly but sort of works at a lower level of intellect, i.e. the hate mongers, atrocity pornographers and OCD cases spewing death threats from their basements.

The Korean government funded and coordinated groups like VANK have been drowning the internet and any company/website daring to question them for years. I'm probably even out of date and there are 3 or 4 more taking its place.

The Chinese government leans heavily on its oversea students not just for internet activism but also security coordinated marches and protests.

I think young Japanese just could be bothered either because they simply have not got the time and if they had, they are wise enough to know that life is too short to waste it arguing with crazy Korean people.

All the Ministry needs to do is set up a spambot repeating, "Take it to the International Court of Justice, (or STFU)".

NHK broadcasts abroad are catering to the Japanese immigrants with their boring cultural and samurai dramas and quiz, and cooking programs. Even though I don't speak Chinese I tend to watch Chinese governmental broadcasts as they seem to be more update with their news and programs. So needless to say the average citizens in western countries have no interest in watching NHK unless they happen to be married to a boring homesick Japanese. Japan has definitely lost the propaganda war to South Korea and China and in many cases have won the hearts and minds of the people of many western nations.

I won't even bother to open my mouth to advise the Japanese government as they will only listen to their bureaucrats and selectec foreign "intellectual" friends of Japan. The Japanese government only wants to hear what they want to hear.

“South Korea, on the other hand, has “energetically harnessed regional governments, private-sector groups and individuals” for such campaigns as the “comfort women,” …”

Apparently, Japan’s regroup and retool its propaganda war after failing to sway international community’s opinions may be too little and too late.

The main reason is that when it comes to Japan’s wartime horrendous atrocities including sex slavery, there is little room for Japan to revise the history because guilty verdicts on all accounts have been delivered when World War II ended. To reverse the charges 69 years later is a loft goal that is next to impossible. On top of that, the tactics deployed by Abe’s admin - pointing fingers to anther countries’ war crimes and human rights violations with an aim to light its own burden of crimes has little effect to revise the tide of opinions. One even can argue that pointing-figures-to-other-countries-crimes actually makes Japan look even worse since it further proved Japan’s archenemies’ propaganda inadvertently, showing the world, Japan has been refusing accepting the responsibilities of wartime crimes and circumventing the guilty verdicts.

Certainly, Japan can throw a new bowl of noodles on the wall, hoping they would stick. But it may do the disservice to Japan again, further harming Japan’s already damaged image in the international community.

The best approach, I think that Japan should do, is to take the ownership for its past war crimes and move on.

Here is an example that how American dealt with its past war crimes: on Match 16, 1968, American solders committed a terrible war crime by killing 300-500 innocent villagers from infants to elders in My Lai of Vietnam. After an initial attempt of cover-up, American Govt, finally stepped up the plate and owned it. That was it. Since 970’s there hasn’t been single American president or government officer or lawmakers who tried to deny the massacre or wanted to recount the numbers of victims for reducing the crime.

What Japan can safely do is unpick all the exaggerated propaganda, the history of it and how it came about, and challenge repetitious references to "slavery" when it generally refers to plain and simple military prostitutes.

The bigots and the Race Hate mobs won't be interested though, they'll just keep chanting their mantras. Hate mantras that have no relevance whatsoever to today's Japanese. Hate mantras generally hiding their own nations' more recent atrocities.

EthanWilber Here is an example that how American dealt with its past war crimes: on Match 16, 1968, American solders committed a terrible war crime by killing 300-500 innocent villagers from infants to elders in My Lai of Vietnam. After an initial attempt of cover-up, American Govt, finally stepped up the plate and owned it. That was it. Since 970’s there hasn’t been single American president or government officer or lawmakers who tried to deny the massacre or wanted to recount the numbers of victims for reducing the crime.

I think it's a completely different case than Japan. There was certain proof of the massacre in Vietnam and no evidence to the contrary. Fortunately, Vietnam doesn't exaggerate the numbers of its victims and not blame on America and SKorea now. Japan too has already admitted and apologized for the fact supported with the certain evidences, however, japan should stand up against obvious fabrications made up to unjustly offend Japan. That's a just right of a sovereign nation. For example,Japanese lawmakers don't deny that there was certain scale of massacre in Nanjing, but it never be the killing of "300,000" of innocent civilians. After reading the comments of foreigners here, I strongly think Japan should take action against the propaganda already wide spreaded in the international community. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.

bamboo pinkMay. 07, 2014 - 12:51AM JST Japan too has already admitted and apologized for the fact supported with the certain evidences, however, japan should stand up against obvious fabrications made up to unjustly offend Japan. That's a just right of a sovereign nation. For example,Japanese lawmakers don't deny that there was certain scale of massacre in Nanjing, but it never be the killing of "300,000" of innocent civilians.

That Nanjing massacure was not as bad as China claims? That it was alot less than 300,000? Doesn't matter. China has right to remember these massacured victims in anyway they like. You must be reading too much Japanese textbook. In 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and proceeded to murder of estimated 300,000 civilians and soldiers in the city. The Rape of Nanking and represented the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the European or Pacific theaters of war.

Yes, in a wording and verbal openings on diplomatic meets, Japanese officials delivered apologies. but there were never formal documentation of apology with promises to fix their mistakes by taking such actions and such. Their apologies were always vague and lacked details, other than saying sorry and we'll never do it. In meantime in Japan, these 150+ Japanese politicans worship their old war criminals every year as gods and glorify the old days by adding easily accepted forms such as textbooks, popular magazine and newspaper articles and suggesting Japanese legitimacy on their position in WWII. Then someday, we'll come across generation of Japanese population that really believes that their course of action in WWII was the right thing and wanting retribution. With Abe's administration Japan things really started to look that way.

That Nanjing massacure was not as bad as China claims? That it was alot less than 300,000? Doesn't matter. China has right to remember these massacured victims in anyway they like. You must be reading too much Japanese textbook. In 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army marched into China's capital city of Nanking and proceeded to murder of estimated 300,000 civilians and soldiers in the city. The Rape of Nanking and represented the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the European or Pacific theaters of war.

Care to explain why Nanking Massacre was mentioned in the Chinese textbooks after that of the Japanese counterparts?

http://www.recordchina.co.jp/group.php?groupid=80690

Considering that it's " the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the European or Pacific theaters of war", I find it illogical.

As usual, what you have demonstrated is the successful Chinese propaganda which done repeatedly and loudly, it's able to convince the uninformed and the ignorant which unfortunately make up the bulk of the world's population.

nigelboy May. 07, 2014 - 04:28AM JST Considering that it's " the single worst atrocity during the World War II era in either the European or Pacific theaters of war", I find it illogical. As usual, what you have demonstrated is the successful Chinese propaganda

I find it illogical? Chinese propaganda? In your mind, Nanking never happened. Typical of your Japan goverment response. It has to be pointed out, of course, that the Japanese and German cases are not fully comparable. Certainly Nazi Germany’s policy of premeditated genocide had no counterpart in Japan. On the other hand, JIA had been notoriously brutal in its treatment not only of civilians in fallen cities like Nanking and other areas of Asia, and prisoners of war.

In any case, the world does not pay attention to any of this. The world is not interested. The country with the image problem is China, which is trying to orchestrate the "peaceful rise" story, but it is failing. Everyone is afraid of China. People don't know history. In August last year, the Nikkei published a story about a pole showing that of the 80% of young Americans who know that an atom bomb has actually been used, 70% thought it was used on Korea (mixing up the Korean war I guess). Even the winner's people don't know their own history. They are not going to care about this. Japan's image is great because it knows how to use soft power (i.e. Pika Chu).

For example,Japanese lawmakers don't deny that there was certain scale of massacre in Nanjing, but it never be the killing of "300,000" of innocent civilians.

A perfect example of how to lose the propaganda war. Nitpick numbers. And while doing it, don't cite the numbers you think, that way you make us realize by deduction that you think the number was near zero ie there was no massacre.

But even if you say "No. Only 150,000 civilians were massacred", what, you think that makes Japan saintly? Once again there is the omission. Notice that these people never say it was horrible or a war crime or Japan's darkest hour or anything would look like a condemnation.

And if you get into it, they will say that those killed were actually soldiers who put on civilian clothes to attempt to escape. So Japan killed them in cold blood? Not capture but kill? Its still murder, and its not even like China was the one attacking! They were on the defensive as Japan invaded their homeland.

Like I keep saying, all these people do is make Japan look worse.

AhHa! So MoFA is in charge of Japans PR. That's why Japan is viewed as a weirdo nation of panty vending machines.

I could recommend a PR firm in the USA that would turn Japans weirdo image upside down for $6,000 / month.

Maybe somebody could explain to the foreign affairs ministry the reason why its "data...has not been able to obtain sympathy from the world." (ahem)

I love the government-speak in this article: "bolster PR efforts through issuing statements and assembling data from abroad," "a new strategic information concept," "utilize NHK's international broadcasts," "multilayered information strategy," "the committee is expected to compile proposals for future moves."

This all makes me think that their strategy of "bolstering PR efforts through issuing statements and assembling data" isn't such a good idea after all...

Japan will be doing this for domestic consumption only. In fact it can be seen as the final push (putsch?) in the LDP's war on historical facts. They'll use it to expunge all reference to wartime atrocities in education and media. It started back in the sixties when they blacklisted historians and professors who didn't toe the party line.

But again it will only work at home. In fact I doubt they'll even try to take this show overseas. They know full well they can't sell their garbage to the wider world, just because 'china is worse'.

300,000 or not, it is not a quantity contest. A lot of people were killed and that is horrible. How did they talley up the count? Did someone go around and count all the dead bodies? How many months would that take, if you could find someone with the stomach to do it.

Although most propaganda activist belittle and/or dismisses the number of people killed as insignificant it does have importance to the academic circle since it could give insight to intent of the massacre in relationship with content of what was happening at that time in that region.

If it was truely a very high number in the hundred thousands then it does prove that Japan was systematically killing people regardlessly but if it was around the thousands it paints a different picture in which IJA was initiating a mop-up operation after the battle that took place right before the massacre in which numerous ROC soldier had removed their uniform and ran into the walled city of Nangking.

In which case it was no different than American occupation in Iraq in which the US military did a similar job in hunting and killing resisting insurgants fighting as guerillas.

At the moment there are no documented evidence that supports killing in the hundred thousand level which places the propaganda activists in a bad spot thus changing their tactics now saying numbers do not count.

It's impossible to kill 300,000 people in such a short time unless they use atomic bombs.

All the wind in the sails of the rightwingers would be taken away if Japan would stop protecting the Tojo era point of view and acknowledge history, then move on by pointing out how today's Japan has nothing to do with that era. Then instead of "regrettable" statements, which translates in English to 'I can't change', make progress on the protection of minorities, human rights, and an accountable judiciary. Pass a law making it publicly illegal to deny WWII. Look at how Germany turned out. Deny issues oxygen not by PR but by actual action and their ability to criticize goes way down. A country emerges.

It's impossible to kill 300,000 people in such a short time unless they use atomic bombs.

So? Whether it was 80,000 or 300,000, it was still a ridiculous amount of people. Getting hung up on the number being 'too large' is what is hurting Japan's image. Instead of repenting, they are niggling about details.

@ SamuraiBlue

In which case it was no different than American occupation in Iraq in which the US military did a similar job in hunting and killing resisting insurgants fighting as guerillas.

Thank you, SamuraiBlue, for the reasonable response in a manner young Americans can understand.

gokai_wo_maneku, make a good point ... the real problem is not so much with Japan's PR but general levels of education in foreign countries, especially over these issue. I remember also that Australia television program showing how most average American could not tell the difference between North and South Korea, and Australia and Tasmania, when it came to dropping the next nuclear weapon on them.

Curing that will be beyond the budget of any Japanese ministry.

Race Hate, bigoted patriotism and atrocity pornography appeals to a certain sort of mind and low level of intellect because it is stimulating, exciting and addictive. I mean that literally. It has been shown to be sort of chemically addictive, the individuals subject to it are addicted to the hormonal (chemical) stimulation in the same way sexual pornography or sports fans get their rushes.

To really understand history, one requires persistence, hard work, a broad intellect, and long term study. Such groups will never any inclination to do so because they will not see it as in their interest to do so, whereas to conform social pressures from their overlords (whether in the PRC, ROK or even US) is. Even to the point of rushing to their deaths in the next war.

It seems to be the entire dynamic rests on minds, or parts of minds, that are basically still in a tribal state and these tribal states of fears, hatreds and defensive aggressions are used and manipulated by the various elites within other nation for their own immediate interest of benefit, e.g. in the PRC to distract from vast CPC elite corruption, in the ROK for their past involvements and in the USA both to distract from their historical culpability and current economic interests.

In amongst all that, for japan to put an intelligent case to explain how a nation which was once in full admiration and an ally of the West ... and an instigator of racial equality policies long before they arose in the openly racist and apartheid West (USA, Australia, England) ... turned to become at war with it, and how they war became what it was, is almost impossible.

Many myths would have to be deconstructed, e.g. the myth of China being "one", the sentimental myth of glorious Joseon, and America's innocence in the creation of the Pacific War for its own political and economic aims and ambitions of dominating the Pacific Asian region.

Aims and ambitions which still dominate the USA's foreign policy.

So, where's the report of 80,000 people? Show me news paper reports of the date with pictures. It's impossible to kill 80,000 secretly.

When Japan provide some circumstancials, China always says the number is not important. Then why does China keep increasing the number? I've seen China claims a bigger number than 300,000 this year.

What do you expect Japan to do while China has been increasing the number for decades?

In which case it was no different than American occupation in Iraq in which the US military did a similar job in hunting and killing resisting insurgants fighting as guerillas.

Although there are several instances of American soldiers in Iraq killing unarmed people doing nothing more than working in fields, generally American soldiers did only kill resisting guerrillas and captured others alive.

You cannot compare that to Japanese soldiers looking for Chinese soldiers who donned civilian clothing, ran, and were unarmed and executed on the spot. Iraq was totally different.

Instead of repenting, they are niggling about details.

Exactly. But if they would just clearly indicated the wrong done, then they would be free to dispute the numbers. It could go something like this: "The actions of the IJA during the Nanjing massacre were despicable and murderous, but there is no way they could have killed 300,000. Its more like 80,000, which is still terrible and mass murder, but China keeps lying about the numbers."

There would be instant respect. But it just does not seem to be a part of Japanese culture to understand the psychology of such a statement, and how it works to win the trust and respect of listeners. Its like some kind of arcane knowledge in this country. So they just keep blundering on with unflinching stubbornness, something that IS a part of Japanese culture.

And this is well timed, as China and two chinese fishing boats invaded Philippines water and one of the boats was seized correctly for it was inside Philipines territorial waters. China is making lots of mistakes. China also towed a huge oil rig into Vietnamese waters, another silly move for they have no actual work going on in the area, it is purely a political grandstanding ploy. More silly stuff.

It's impossible to kill 300,000 people in such a short time unless they use atomic bombs.

During the battle, Lt. Toshiaki Mukai and Lt. Takeshi Noda, had engaged in a competition to decapitate Chinese army stragglers, which ended with the score of 106 heads to 105. So if two officers can kill 211 people with swords in a matter of hours, and several Japanese divisions surrounded and occupied Nanjing for six weeks, I'm not quite sure how to do the math, but it would doubtless add up to lots of bodies. When Lt. Noda returned to his home prefecture of Kagoshima on leave in 1939, he visited a primary school where he told the students, "I was the warrior from our home district whose 100 beheadings contest was reported in the newspapers." The two men were executed after the war, by the way.

I've heard that China admitted killing took place at the beginning. So, not for six weeks. How does it end up to 300,000? People did not escape? China has never provided the population figure of the city of that time. That big?

I don't think Japan should lower itself to tactics on the level of china and Korea.

The Mukai Noda competition was debunked a long time ago. Noda himself admitting he only killed 5 in hand-to hand trench combat. Hardly shocking or a disgrace.

All figures being banded about relate not to the entrance into the city of Nanking ... which was noted for its peacefulness at the time ... but battlefield losses for the entire campaign over 100s of miles and several months Within that context they be more easily understood and accepted ... but they don't make for such exciting propaganda.

From the Chinese point of view, the current information war they are engaging in is just that ... warfare intent on obstructing other progress and defend themselves, distracting from their own present day and history abuses of a far greater scale, e.g. Mao 70 million death.

Having individuals brainlessly recycling decades old propaganda on one side, and then having to filter it out on the other, is still in their interest.

However, it's immoral and unethical. A sort of intellectual pollution being released like a poison gas or viral warfare on the world via the internet.

The Mukai Noda competition was debunked a long time ago. Noda himself admitting he only killed 5 in hand-to hand trench combat. Hardly shocking or a disgrace.

Sorry@Ed, but a Japanese court ruled, based on war correspondents' reports filed at the time, that the claims by Noda's and Mukai's families that the men were being libeled were groundless. It's part of the legal record in Japan, and your assertions of it having been "debunked" needs to be debunked.

I've heard that China admitted killing took place at the beginning. So, not for six weeks. How does it end up to 300,000? People did not escape? China has never provided the population figure of the city of that time. That big?

What relevance does the number of dead have to anything? Are you trying to say that it is ok if Japan killed less than 300,000? How many people is it ok to have killed? How many dead Chinese at the hands of Japan do you feel is an acceptable number?

From Wiki: "Contest to kill 100 people using a sword"

On August 23, 2005, Tokyo District Court Judge Akio Doi dismissed the suit on the grounds that "[the contest] did occur, and was not fabricated by the media". The judge stated that, although the original newspaper article included "false elements", the officers admitted that they had raced to kill 100 people and "it is difficult to say it was fiction."

Not quite., the judge stated the original newspaper articles were false but what is more false is the manner in which you posed the statement and it is normally used in propaganda.

I repeat, Noda on his return ... long before the event was politicised ... admitted he only killed 5.

The killings were also killings in fair, hand-to-hand combat, not the slaughter of innocent civilians. In a war, that is what soldiers are meant to do. They are not there handing out flowers.

One can debate the rights and wrongs of the war but all the story really does is underline the superiority of the Japanese soldier in comparison to the Chinese, who were also armed and out to kill them.

As Noda said, from the same Wikipedia page as you read, "the Chinese soldiers were so stupid, they'd rush toward us all at once. Then we'd line them up and cut them down."

Had they just surrendered, or fought more wisely, it would not have happened the way it did.

Gross exaggerations taken out of context as usual. All soldiers in all armies have spoken with a similar bravado in all wars, and it been used for propaganda values back home.

I rather have such a record than be like the American soldiers smashing the skulls of the dead and dying to pull out their gold teeth.

What relevance does the number of dead have to anything?

Detail is important. Whether it is 300 or 300,000 is a big difference. Historians need evidence as detailed as possible.

@ GalapagosnoGairaishu

Court cases also have political elements, e.g. Japanese courts have regularly dismissed cases from denier types. A judge's summing up in a libel case, such as "it is difficult to say it was fiction" does not mean the same as, "it was all true'. Especially where he stated it was not.

As with the MOFA website on, say, the Senkaku issue, it seems like they need to take everyone of the usual propaganda war and deconstruct them in the same way as, for example, the falsified images in the Iris Chang book that even after debunking they refused to move.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/senkaku/qa_1010.html

Detail is important. Whether it is 300 or 300,000 is a big difference. Historians need evidence as detailed as possible.

So you are saying it's acceptable if it was 300 killed? What if it was 301, was that not acceptable? Where is the line? Exactly how many Chinese people was it acceptable for Japan to have killed?

Noda himself admitting he only killed 5 in hand-to hand trench combat.

That was combat. The over a hundred he killed was more like sport. They were captured enemy soldiers who they executed. That becomes evident if you read more of his quote.

Then we'd line them up and cut them down, from one end of the line to the other. I was praised for having killed a hundred people, but actually, almost all of them were killed in this way.

You can't line up an armed attacking enemy, especially if they have guns and you only have a sword. He says he was praised for killing so many (as if it was combat) but he says it was not combat. They were killed "in this way" meaning, disarmed, lined up and cut down.

The two of us did have a contest, but afterward, I was often asked whether it was a big deal, and I said it was no big deal...

He admits the contest, and no way it stopped at 5. When he says it was no big deal, what he means is that his life was not in serious danger beheading captured soldiers.

Strangerland What is acceptable during war? I've never said anything about acceptable. Acceptable history is as accurate as possible. It was during Civil war too. There were many foreigners there at that time. No foreigners at that time witnessed mass killing. Tell me what English news papers at that time were reporting mass killings?

Strangerland What is acceptable during war? I've never said anything about acceptable. Acceptable history is as accurate as possible.

So you are saying that if the number 300 is accurate, it's an acceptable amount of Chinese to be killed by the Japanese? Absolutely ridiculous. It's wrong whether it's 300 or 300,000. All you do by arguing about the numbers is show that you would rather argue about the number, than repent for past wrongs - as if a smaller number somehow makes it ok. We'll Let me tell you, it doesn't. It's wrong no matter what the number, and you do no one service by trying to argue that it's ok to have killed less people.

Revisionist numbers are partly attained by insisting on limiting the definition of "Nanjing" to only a few square kilometers of the city center, max population of 250,000, while the rest of the world includes the outlying suburbs, max population of 635,000.

Even so, the estimate of 300,000 murdered is the maximum estimate claimed. The minimum claimed by non-revisionist scholars is 50,000.

Its hard to get reliable estimates because the Japanese of the time were not counting bodies and they certainly were not allowing journalists to report and investigate some things. Some Japanese still believe the propaganda of the era and can't accept that newspapers were highly censored. Its rather pathetic that can be so dim and/or determined to believe lies.

I suggest everyone read the wiki page entitled "Nanjing Massacre Denial".

It's wrong no matter what the number, and you do no one service by trying to argue that it's ok to have killed less people.

No　one is saying it's ok.

Say someone robs a bank and steals $10,000. That's wrong.

However, what if the bank then reported to the police that he stole $1,000,000. Is that ok? Is it acceptable to exaggerate the damage done in a wrongful act?

This is where Japan has been losing the propaganda war: People take what comes out of China and Korea as gospel, and any attempts from Japan to say "Now, hold on just a second, we did this and this and this, but we did NOT do that," are immediately dismissed as revisionism.

In American, when new evidence comes out that shows that someone convicted of murder was actually not guilty, there is both a feeling of a triumph for justice and a lamentation for that person's lost time living with the guilt of something they did not commit. I think it's unfair that even investigations into the facts are globally criticized.

The difference can be explained with the following.

Current scenario:

Prosecutor - you stabbed the girl 48 times, in the face, throat and heart, and left her to bleed out and die on the floor Defendant - actually, I only stabbed her 8 times and it was in the arm and leg

Point of view of the observers - this guy is trying to justify his actions to make himself not appear so bad, except that it's pointless because the girl was still left to bleed out on the floor.

Acceptable scenario:

Prosecutor - you stabbed the girl 48 times, in the face, throat and heart, and left her to bleed out and die on the floor Defendant - I'm so sorry. It was wrong. I differ on some of the details, but the overall premise of what you say is correct, and I admit and accept my culpability in the matter. Impartial observer - I've done some more research, and it appears that she was stabbed 12 times, with once each in the face and neck, and the remaining times in the arms and legs.

Point of view of the observers - defendant is contrite, prosecutor was over zealous, actual facts are still bad, but not as bad as the prosecutor is trying to claim.

All you people tying to say 'it wasn't 300,000', don't realize that not only is there no benefit whatsoever to your trying to claim a smaller number, you are actually causing troubles for Japan and it's people. On top of this, because Japan is the ones who perpetuated the crime, any defender of the number by Japanese people is not taken seriously, and instead just appears to be denial of having done wrong. If numbers are to be reviewed and taken seriously, it has to be by a non-biased third party. No claim of numbers will ever properly be believed when claimed by either China or Japan. But the difference is that China are the victims here, so they can claim high numbers without any severe injury to their image, while Japan, being the perpetrators, do not get this luxury.

Point of view of the observers

You mean some observers.

Prosecutor - you stabbed the girl 48 times, in the face, throat and heart, and left her to bleed out and die on the floor Defendant - I'm so sorry. It was wrong.

This has happened.

I differ on some of the details

We're potentially talking about more than 'some' details, here.

but the overall premise of what you say is correct

No defendant in the universe would ever let a trial finish without at least trying to get the facts of the matter straight. Expecting them to lie down and accept punishment for something they did not do, on top of allowing those untrue facts to be circulated, is completely unreasonable. Japan did many bad things during the war, but it is more than reasonable for them to attempt to combat the propaganda coming from the Chinese and Korean governments which is blindly accepted as fact.

Impartial observer

Korea and China are doing their best to make sure no impartial obsevers go anywhere near this case, hence the issue outlined in the article.

any defender of the number by Japanese people is not taken seriously, and instead just appears to be denial of having done wrong.

Because of the propaganda coming from the Chinese and Korean governments, hence the issue outlined in the article.

If numbers are to be reviewed and taken seriously, it has to be by a non-biased third party

Korea and China are doing their best to make sure no impartial obsevers go anywhere near this case, hence the issue outlined in the article.

But the difference is that China are the victims here, so they can claim high numbers without any severe injury to their image

A fact that China and Korea are using to their advantage, hence the issues outlined in the article.

The Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, sorry I mean NHK, will get it right. I'm sure that during the Japanese occupation of Nanking, for example, while burning and blowing up everything in sight, government offices and official records were left intact and properly handled and stored by the occupying forces of Japan and subsequently returned to the Chinese officials, if there were any government officials still alive, upon Japans retreat and NHK will be able to bring clarity to this long outstanding issue. I think it's best to trust Japan and the Japanese Foreign Ministry, sorry NHK, to give the world a full account of what happened throughout the war as well as the territorial issues and others should not cast doubt on their credibility as Japan has been so honest and forthcoming with events pertaining to it's history. It was in fact Japan who was in charge during the event so they must know the details best and besides, how do we know that the Chinese just didn't kill themselves to get sympathy. Those Chinese would do anything to get the world on their side, probably staged the whole massacre themselves.

Would you trust a woman's credibility if she were to claim a man had forcibly raped her 20 times when in fact it was actually, say 18? NO way. To argue that this VICTIM was unable to recall the exact # having been unconscious and dazed through much of the ordeal would cast doubts on the whole case and if you can't count accurately, can one be expected to trust the rest of her testimony? The rapist's attorney would clearly ask for an acquittal based on the falsification alone.

get the point people, Sarcasm.

" Japan has fared remarkably poorly in its ability to mount logical, "

It is not propaganda war between japan, Korea or China. It is talking about fact. The history that japan has invited these two countries and killed millions of their people can not be propagandized. It is fact and it cannot be changed by the propaganda. Find the root cause then solved it. Any cover up or denying will make you japan look worse.

Would you trust a woman's credibility if she were to claim she had been abducted in attempt to sue her later clients, when in fact she was actually sold by her parents? "NO way".

That's the reality of what we are talking about. And that's an actual example I am giving you of Kim Hak-soon the first comfort woman to come forward ... or rather be deliberately sought out and pushed forward by an NGO whose directors were later found guilty of fraud. Would you trust such parties? "NO way".

That's the reality of what we are talking about. (The journalist who "broke", i.e. made up and exaggerated the story in the '90s was married to the daughter of one director who was found guilty).

I know it goes against so much of the indoctrination that you have received, but can you see scale of variances between the accusations and the actualities?

bfg4987 makes a very important point.

"Korea and China are doing their best to make sure no impartial observers go anywhere near this case".

This is what all this perpetual hectoring of anyone who questions the propaganda and accusation of them being "far right" or "revisionist" is all about.

Not just of "impartial observers" but also any reasonable, free thinking person that would otherwise be disgusted at the inequity of innocent people ... today's Japanese and all of Japanese women ever ... being accused, assaulted, threatened, hunted down, hounded and intimidated by psychopathic bullies.

They know that such labels are taboos in the West and would scare off most journalists or academics, for example, who would fear for their careers to be stigmatized. And, in Korea, we have seen dissenters from the party line actually being beaten up in public for questioning it.

We don't need ask what goes on in China because no one would ascend into academia without being a member and towing the party line. Dissent is an unthinkable fast track to a labor camp.

Just as basically no Japanese alive today are guilty of any event in the past, because they did not carry it out nor was it even a democratic expression of the nation'; basically no Chinese or Korean alive is a victim because they did not suffer.

What you have going on is the ridiculous idea of historical suffering, much of it imagined, being exploited as an political and economic weapon.

"Propaganda"?

Hmm, yes, well...

Once again, Japan only caring about the pretty wrappings on the outside.

Or perhaps Japan starting to grow a pair and stop the neighbor yobs from throwing **** at their property and vandalizing it?

If Europeans with American friends came to China and Korea, if Asia (Japan) didn't fight against them at (sadly for Chinese) China territory, those guys from west never respect Asia or any Asian and people have more low level life then now, die cuz hunger (look at North Koreans who not agree to listen Europeans/US, they are eat not more then 400g of food in day and of course this is not meat). If not massive Japanese help before and after war, now this two so noisy country never have such pretty good life, and working for food and survive. In Philippines/Indonesia/etc. Asia many place still have no electricity, this is who Korea was be before Japan came or even more bad, and all good life in Korea now not thanks to Korean hard work or America help, it thanks only to WWII and to Japanese help only, same with China. Other Asian can work same hard with you, but they are live more poor, because they get less help and without help of Japan, Asia was be slave of white europeans/americans people still.

Even before WWII Japan had good life if compare to other Asia, Japan have high level of education and morality , if compare to other Asia and Japan wasn't be slave of others, as it was be almost of countries in Asia. But now, Japan have less power and independence, but all Asia live better then can. Japan lost a lot in those fighting and Japanese sorry about this war is help to those countries, who was be involved. Actually, Japan start suicidal war against white world, but Asia win, even if Japan lost. So Asia must say thanks to Japan for this and to those people, who die, for today better life. War never fair and those war in Asia not same with those, which was be in Europe, motivations and way was be too different. But people die, for their grandchildren peace world now, but grandchildren wish to fight again?! Then all those death are just waste.

What S.Korean and Chinese government doing now, it just dirty economic war and way to hide their own countries troubles by hating/fighting Japan. Japan should stop be such soft and fight against with positive Japanese propaganda, China and S.Korea too spoiled and it really not fair after all. You two get too much help and stop using war for getting everything, what you wish!! It wrong to use war for get what you want after many years and for many years. War we must remember for never repeat war again, not for tease each other or get what you want by others.

But i guess my words is just waste for brainwashed people, so will try represent Japan better and pr Japan as i can, because i love Japan, even if i'm not Japanese, Japan is best in Asia and one of the best in world, because smart Japanese care other people in their country and in other countries around them, not always be selfish.

The first rule of Propaganda Club is, you don't talk about Propaganda Club.

Actually, Japan start suicidal war against white world, but Asia win, even if Japan lost.

Thank you for your post.

An interesting comment from a non-Japanese and I'd say it was true and it's a matter if history that the leadership knew it was true at the time.

One of the efforts to deconstruct the weapons of mass confusion in this vicious and immoral propaganda war against Japan, would be to show how and why Japan gradually evolved from a good ally and admirer of the West, and of the USA in particular, and was pushed and forced into the situation it was.

Most non-Japanese, especially never having interacted with real Japanese, have this foundation of awareness or conception of Japanese based on highly racist war time propaganda ... the portrayal of the Japanese as wild, glass wearing, sticky out teeth, sword wielding maniacs.

What it needed to be shown is how the conflict of interests gradually and rational grew as a reaction of very clear Western provocation. And, specific to this case, White imperialistic political and economic interest in the region now known as China but then divided by European powers and coveted by USA industrial interests.

I always think the proof of the pudding is in what we see around us in the world today.

If Japan had been left to dominate Asia, Asia would reflected the wealth, peace, order and quality of life that Japan enjoys.

Had Russia defeated Japan, it would have gone the way of Soviet Russia.

American society is the best America can do, and the PRC is the best the Maoists could do.

Now who, honestly, is going to say they are better? That life there is better for the majority of ordinary people. And better in what way?

Given the scope of American influence, from gun running for the Chinese nationalists, through the Pacific War, Korea, Vietnam, Pol Pot in Cambodia, Suharto in Indonesia ... even establishing the LDP in Japan ... we can look back and see the nature of its horrendous influence.

America, just as equally as elements within China and Korea are just as guilty and need de-programming and educating ... especially as it is the English speaking consensus that particularly China wants to poison to weaken Japan's oversea's support and permit its excesses against it.

`Propaganda war' is an interesting term that roughly equates to countering one set of falsehoods with another set of falsehoods. Propaganda by its very definition is the promotion of a nation state or regime through the dissemination of false statements. So to be involved in a 'propaganda war' literally means that neither side is interested in the truth. Whatever ones views on this issue are, it would seem a lot of people have forgotten that 'propaganda' is a word that always has negative connotations. Perhaps the use of 'propaganda' here is just poor translation. One would hope so anyway....

Japan does need to go on the offensive with propaganda. I lived in Japan for a year and teach in Korea. The textbooks here teach young Koreans that Japan is inherently warlike and dangerous, and those books also include errors of fact. They completely ignore Admiral Perry and Daewongun in Korea, make it look like the rulers of Japan just decided to invade one day. The Japanese government needs to get hold of some Korean and Chinese textbooks to show they're not the only ones distorting history for political gain.

Japan also needs to watch the public reaction to the Sewol incident, to understand the role of apology in Korean culture. These are not forgiving people. I have had countless colleagues, friends, even strangers here in Korea tell me that Japan has never apologized or paid reparations, which is simply false but they passionately believe it.

When President Park says that Japan needs a "right" view of history, I cringe. Not just because she's the daughter of a dictator but because she reflects the view of your average Korean that there is only one view of history and it's the one they learned in school. Japanese society is so much more open and free than Korea and China, free to criticize itself in writing and art. You have to use that to your advantage, because right now those other nations are using their unity to theirs. Your opponents live in glass houses and are throwing stones.

To forget about ramping up a propaganda war, and instead abide by the wisdom "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"; this would be the most widely respected approach of all. There is too much propaganda in the world already, causing too many headaches. Please, no more.

The reason why Japan is losing the PR war is because Japan's position is indefensible. Good luck campaigning against WWII sex slaves, and war atrocities. Maybe the KKK and the fringe Nazi element and other neo-fascist elements would like join the Japanese government in this "propaganda war." Good grief.

In trying to understand why Japan’s past casts such a long shadow onto its present, one promising approach is to compare the country to its erstwhile World War II ally, Germany. That country’s targeted campaign of genocide still plays an important role in shaping the country’s national identity, but Germany’s past still does not weigh as heavily on its relations with its neighbors as Japan’s does. Through a difficult and arduous process of confronting, remembering, and on occasion apologizing for its Nazi past, Germany has come to terms with its history and reconciled with the victims of its past aggression. Faced with this evidence, it is tempting to conclude that the more strained, sometimes poisoned relations that Japan has with its Asian neighbors are a direct product of the way in which it dealt – or failed to deal – with its wartime history.

The most recent instance of this line of argument can be found in Jochen Bittner’s New York Times op-ed, “What Germany Can Teach Japan” published last month. Bittner argues that postwar Germany has become “normal” – defined as “earning and enjoying the trust of its neighbors” – because it dealt properly with its history of genocidal mass murder. If Japan also wants to become normal, he recommends, it should simply follow the German example.

But it is not that simple. The fact that Germany has achieved “normalcy” cannot be reduced to the way it dealt and deals with its history. Factors beyond Germany’s control, including fortunate circumstances and cooperative neighbors, played a far more important role and make Germany’s recipe for normalcy impossible for Japan. A brief glance at Japan’s postwar history reveals at least five factors which explain why, almost 70 years after the war, Germany is surrounded by friendly allies and Japan is not.

Bittner has it wrong. Firstly he appears unaware as most foreigners are of how many "gestures" and apologies Japan has made and, secondly, he appear unaware of the cultural differences and nature of Chinese and Korean nationalists.

Japan is a modern, highly civil and pacifist society. It may not be perfect but its quality and way of life, even the reasonableness of it attitudes towards foreigners far outstrips most of Asia. The problem is not on the Japanese side here.

Bittner appears suckered in by the "Give Us More" mob's rhetoric.

@boweevil

I don't know what the original words used, but there is a difference between a 'propaganda war' ... and a 'war against propaganda, especially the irrational and dishonest kind of spewing out of China, along with all the air pollution, and the Korean diaspora.

If it's a governmental thing, I am sure that this move is going to be as patient and exacting ... and inefficient ... as prior efforts. Their efforts should be a lot more robust. It's one of Japan's weak areas, it should be a lot more assertive but it's confronting a lot of crazy people.

What it should do is precisely what its enemies are doing to it and go on an offensive exposing them until they squeal stop. Not counter act them. Both nations, China especially, have more than sufficient nasties hidden in their cupboards to work with.

One of the reasons the South Korean networks work are so efficient is that can depend on legions of younger people and foreign Koreans who know next to nothing about Korean history either recent or past.

There's a school of thought that suggests that if a dog bites your hand, the best thing to do is not pull your hand away but stick it even further down its throat until it chokes (dogs' teeth are design against prey pulling back). China and Korea aren't going to listen to facts, they are too excited by Hate, although the rest of the world will start to recognise which party is being the most reasonable. Japan needs to go on the offensive and strike hard at their flawed foundations.

I just was reading about the 36 concentration camps the Communist Party are currently operating, the largest of which is 150,000 in which they are not holding without trial Falun Gong and other prisoners of conscience but now killing and harvesting organs.

To quote one ex-military doctor, "captives are no longer regarded as human beings, but as raw materials for commercial products” with prisoners being shipped in “sealed freight trains” to and from the camps. As many as 5,000 being transferred in a single day.

It's sounds like something straight out of Nazi Germany ... no wonder these people have to keep shouting their Hate mantras and point at Japan, to distract from worse things happening today. And don't let's start on the late term forced abortions and female infanticide going on.

A recent investigative report by The Guardian newspaper found that the tissues of executed prisoners in China are being used in cosmetic products, some of which are sold in the West to unwitting consumers.

Who're the Nazis?

GWMay. 06, 2014 - 02:05PM JST Admit your history, stop denying it, be honest (and CLEARER) in your "apologies" Then you can just tell China/SKorea to just take a hike! It REALLY is that simple, but alas likely never happen, the fireworks should likely present a real pathetic show if Japan jumps on this stupid wagon!

Japan can't apologize what Japan didn't do. Why do you discuss it on the condition that Japan was bad. Have you examined Chinese and S. Korean propaganda and those objective evidences which other country's preserved? Those countries, Communist and ex-military dictatorship, haven't guaranteed the speech of freedom, so we can't discuss anything logically with them.

They've ganged on Japan by made up incredibly distorted stories, propagandas, to keep demanding money from Japan. We've already built an international airport in Beijing, subways, hospitals and schools in China by Japan's ODA. Same as in S.Korea.

There are a lot of evidences and sources which can refute those propagandas. The following are some of the references---

*Alfred Smoular, correspondence for Paris Match "Nippon wa gokai sarete iru - kokusaiha Furansujin no Nippon Yohgoron" (Tokyo, 1988), 『ニッポンは誤解されている』 Alfred Smoular "Nippon wa gokai sarete iru - kokusaiha Furansujin no Nippon Yohgoron" (Tokyo, 1988), ttp://www.asjapan.org/Memorial_Wall/smoular.htm "The Asiatic Society of Japan"

*Henry Scott Stokes, born in 1938, is a British journalist. The Tokyo bureau chief for The Financial Times (1964–67), The Times (1967-1970s?) and The New York Times (1978–83).　 His books will fill you in the objective information in English and let you compare the propagandas by China and S. Korea.

*"Mirror for Americans: JAPAN'' written by Helen MEARS "The American were made to believe the propaganda :Japanese are aggressive since before the modernization. Japan retroceded English, American, French, Italian settlements to The Republic of China in 1943. So, China could get away from the half-century semi-colony. And China became an independent country at last.''

*F. Tillman Durdin correspondence for The New York Times "Bungei shunju'' 文藝春秋(japanese magasin)interviewed in 1987,Aug He confessed the reports about Nanking massacre had been cooked up by himself in the interview.

Fight fire with fire is the world of the day. When Communist China and it's tributaries point a finger at Japan, Japan needs to remind the world that three of those fingers are pointing right back at Communist China and it's tributaries.

Communist China and it's tributaries don't have a leg to stand on and it's high time that Japan point that out.

Only way to defeat Communist propaganda is to use truth as counter propaganda.

And now, let's hear from Communist China's paid posters better known as the 50-cent army.

CraigHicksMAY. 11, 2014 - 09:11AM JST To forget about ramping up a propaganda war, and instead abide by the wisdom "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"; this would be the most widely respected approach of all.

Your argument would have a point if we were talking about 3 people. But, here we are dealing with governments and not people. Propaganda has always been a tool used by governments to paint other governments and peoples as evil while promoting themselves as being pure as snow.

Japan has been taking the high road for far too long and that has hurt them because of the propaganda by Communist China and it's tributary states are playing dirty. Japan has sat by, played it nice and has been tared and feathered on the world stage.

It's is about time that Japan stood up and countered the Communist propaganda with their own. Fighting wars is a dirty business and the only way to win them is to get filthy.

JeffLeeMAY. 06, 2014 - 08:10AM JST "Given that the media in China is run by the government..." And NHK isn't? NHK broadcasts the Japanese point of view worldwide in English to countries around the world on the major satellite TV networks.

Partially true about NHK, the big difference is that NHK is just one media outlet that can be considered government controlled while in Communist China every and all media outlets are controlled by the Propaganda Department. They have to approve everything that their media says.

JeffLeeMAY. 06, 2014 - 08:10AM JST How many Chinese or Korean-run TV channels in Japanese carried in Japan are there?

I get KBS, CCTV, BBC, CNN and much much more, but I have to pay for, SKY Perfect. Also I can get just about any foreign newspapapers and magazines I want in Japan and they are all uncensored. I can also see any movie I want and the only censorship is in the crotch area. I can also visit any website and say whatever I like without fear of getting dragged away and tossed in jail.

Can you say the same about Communist China? Didn't think so, now what exactly were you saying?

Here is an example that how American dealt with its past war crimes: on Match 16, 1968, American solders committed a terrible war crime by killing 300-500 innocent villagers from infants to elders in My Lai of Vietnam. After an initial attempt of cover-up, American Govt, finally stepped up the plate and owned it. That was it. Since 970’s there hasn’t been single American president or government officer or lawmakers who tried to deny the massacre

Well, except we made the architect of the initial cover-up (Colin Powell) Secretary of State. If Japan did something similar, they would never hear the end of it. It's all about flexing muscles. China is growing muscle and Japan is getting old. Any "acceptable" apology at this point would simply invite more abuse. Though I do agree that Japan should stay out of the propaganda business - they'll look at least as stupid as China and Korea do now. Japanese should concentrate on setting themselves apart from the rabble, not joining it.