Why aren't present day Japanese students taught the true story of what their country did in WWII? Denial?

Question

When I lived in Asia back in the 70's and 80's, I had a lot of time spent with Japanese friends. WWII being one of my favorite subjects, I tried to converse with people my own age about it. They seemed to know almost nothing at all. Their schoolbooks seemed to only have a half page that mentioned Pearl Harbor and the Japanese victory then fast forwarded to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Japanese "retirement" from the war. No mention of the atrocities, the alliance with Hitler the madman or the fact that they had really been fighting the war since 1894, stirring up trouble in China. When they defeated the Russians in 1905, attacking before they declaired war (Hmmm), they annexed Korea shortly thereafter. They just kept gnawing away at China & building up island bastions until we began to notice in 33. They drummed up reasons for an out-and-out war by 37 and were absolutely merciless about it until we finally stopped them cold in 1945. Yet a modern Japanese seems to know nothing. Why?

Answer 1

This really is a problem. I live in Thailand. Its true, the Japanese have commited horrendous crimes during WW2.

The Chinese and Korean government were furious of the publication of some Japanese school text books that glorify Japanese war time attrocities.

The problem is that there is no clear communication between the governments of those countries regarding those attrocities. Even talking about the subject is considered tabboo.

To serve justice fully, Japan must regret those crimes and pay some form of compensation to the family victims. As far as I have seen, no solid initiative has ever been taken.

Answer 2

I learn a first-rate publication through Katsuichi Honda "The Nanjing Massacre: A Japanese Journalist Confronts Japan's National Shame." It particularly offers perception into why the Japanese acted as they did. It wasn't proper or ethical, however you get a greater information of why and the way regularly fair guys might do the horrible matters they did for the period of this conflict. Some Japanese do wish to recognize what occurred and make an apology for it, however the individuals in energy considering that the rebuilding were individuals who dedicated those atrocities or benefited from forgetting approximately them. So it's been intricate for individuals who do wish to recognize Japan's WWII crimes to carry approximately a difference in considering in this matter. Some were threatened for talking approximately what they participated in or what they noticed their comrades do.

Answer 3

Japan society holds onto 19th Century Darwinian view of races, i.e. Japanese being second to the white Europeans and high above its Asian neighbours. This view explains the horrendous atrocities committed by Japan against its immediate neighbours and South East Asia/Pacific countries.

The Japanese education system is dominated by the far right - the same "pro-war die-for-emperor" mindset; surely they of all people will be first to whitewash Japanese war crimes. After all how can a 'superior race' be remorseful?

Answer 4

Revisionist history is practiced all over the world.

American Indians were pretty badly treated. American blacks were freed in the Civil War but re-oppressed by landlords and Jim Crow laws for many decades. American foreign policy saved freedom in Europe but supported dictatorships and toppled governments in Latin America and other places, often as a favor to American corporations that preferred working with bribable officials.

And your experiences were 25 years ago; I'm going to assume that modern-day Japanese education has changed, as people have much more access to information these days.

Answer 5

Why is there such a brief section about what Europeans did to Native Americans in American text books? Or what Americans did to Japanese-Americans (concentration camps) during WWII? Like others have said, no one wants to admit to their mistakes, and this is just another example. I really wish it wasn't this way, b/c people need to know history in its true form. We at least owe that to the ones involved that are no longer here to share their stories...

Answer 6

In my opinion, i guess Denial, juss about sums it up. N juss like Gays in the military "don't ask, don't tell"
Im Asian, so a difference in Culture mite have sumthing to do it it too.
To keep the little ones grounded n respectful, Adults teach n remind their kids that whatever they do, don't bring shame to the family because they don' want to loose face. With that in mind, the Japanese regarded their Emperor Hirohito as a God n whatever he did, it was the way of the God. So, no one dares to question is actions, unlike the U.S. we get to bash the president all we want, their its taboo. i can ramble on n on but at the end i think it comes down to their Culture, the modern japanese don't know squat about the war because its taboo to talk about the Emperor(their God) n why he was responbsible for the killings of almost a million civilians..

Its all a covered conspiracy by the U.S. itself in exchanged for sumthing that we will never know. because the U.S. never did laid a hand on the Emperor or put him in Trial as a War Criminal like the rest of the Nazi's. As a matter of fact, the Japanese never did compensate or pay retribution to the killings of Chinese civilians n in Philipines.....all bcuzz the U.S. says sign here n we will make sure u never have to pay for anything..........this sounds Cliche' but Yeah, its a Conspiracy the U.S. is the Puppet Master............
Man!!! Jessica Alba is HOTTTTTTTTT.

Answer 7

It's just like how in Germany,they don't talk about Nazis.No country wants to talk about that bad thing they did in the past,especially with Americans.

Answer 8

do American kids know about the persecution of native Americans the fire bombing of Dresden the atrocious attack on Hiroshima/Nagasaki napalm on vietnamese civilians the effect of sanctions on cuban children,iraqi children the american arm supplies to iraq/afghanistan

Answer 9

I think it should be taught to them that what you descibed...and in that way. But, I suppose I dont blame them if they avoid some material.
The reality is, many of them dont feel connected to those responsible for events in WW2. I would let it be. I agree with you, but agree it shouldn't be mandatory for them to know.

Answer 10

tell you what.
you tell me everything that has happened at camp x-ray in the last ten years, and then you'll know why the japanese are a bit embarrised about their past.
at least the japanese have stopped now.