Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

I heard about this book (and the horrible event) for the first time on this forum. After reading this, I have decided not to buy Japanese goods, nor do I plan to ever visit Japan again (even for a visa run). Sure, your average Japanese is kind and a good person, I'm sure (my aunt is Japanese). However, the Japanese gov't will not pay restitution for their crimes, and they have even enshrined their war heroes from WWII. Their generals didn't face war crimes tribunals as did the Nazis. There is no mention of this holocaust in Japanese textbooks (same w/the crimes committed against the Koreans during the colonization). After reading this book, it's really made me understand why Koreans hate Japan so much, and why Dokdo is such an issue. I've heard of a lot of different kinds of torture, methods for killing people, etc., but what the Japanese did in Nanjing is just hard for me to wrap my mind around. I don't know how these former soldiers can live normal lives after what they did. Now I understand why J porn is so sick. Denigration of others is nothing to them. Google "Rape of Nanking" and you'll see what I'm talking about. Better yet, buy the book. The author was so traumatized after doing her research and writing the book, she committed suicide last year.[/i]

[tzechuk]

I've read the book, I've seen the movie... my families (both maternal and paternal sides) have lived through it - I listened to first-hand stories.

Sure, I could bear a grudge for the rest of my life... but what's the point? The people who caused this atrocity are probably all dead. We are already 2 generations, if not 3, after what happened and if we all hold the same attitude... it will never end.

People now know the truth of what happened (if the propaganda that was generated at the time was, indeed, telling the truth) and the fact that the Japanese government aren't owning up to it just makes them look more of a fool and we should pity them than be angry at them.

JMO.

[periwinkle]

I'm sorry that your families lived through that. How unimaginably awful. I don't know much about Asian history, but I learned a lot from this book. The next time Korean comfort women are protesting at the Japanese embassy, I'm going down there. No justice for them. At least they know people recoginize this. Pity the Japanese, though? I can only despise their lack of conscience and utter disregard for life.

[Gord]

[Hollywoodaction]

There's no way to know if she commited suicide because of that book. But, she did commit suicide while working on her last project, videotaping former American POW of the Japanese. Conspiracy theorists say it could have been a murder disguised as a suicide.

[SarcasmKills]

Now, now, we all know it was Japanese ultra-nationalists who tracked her down, killed her and made it look like a suicide..

duh!

[Hollywoodaction]

[periwinkle]

Did you read the book (re: Gord)? According to the book, the Japanese weren't made to properly pay for their crimes. The book said Japan paid about 1% of the amount of restitution that Germany paid to Israel. As I understood, she fell into a deep depression and never fully recovered after doing her research. I remember reading about her suicide on Yahoo news, and her suicide was linked to her work. Are you seriously questioning whether or not this occurred? Judging from the pictures- countless mutilated bodies of civilians and mass graves (I won't get too graphic), it's obvious to me the Japanese went on a spree of killing for sport. There were soldiers laughing in the background, for god's sake!

I've also heard about the things the Japanese did to the Koreans during the occupation. Then there's the Battan death march. If you compare how Japan treated POWs and captured civilians to any other country, from what I've read, Japan is the most despicable. You can see to this day how Japan even refuses to apologize to those poor Korean "comfort women". Why not?! How can a country not apolgize to these innocent, old women? They should pay their respects- their refusal is cowardly.

[Hollywoodaction]

Lets just say lots of people have witnessed these things first-hand, and they didn't commit suicide. Suicide is not a normal reaction to anything.

[joe_doufu]

[Bulsajo]

Periwinkle, let us know when you get a hold of a copy Shake Hands with the Devil and we'll set up a suicide watch for you [and you won't understand this comment or see the startling parallels until you do actually get a copy; at that time this comment will not seem as mocking and frivolous as it must right now].

[Gord]

[Hollywoodaction]

[Links]

Good posts Gord!

Lots of bad stuff has happened in the wars of the past. There is no reason to hold grudges against descendants of war criminals. It would be nice if the rest of the world could follow Japan's example and acknowledge their fault then change themselves for the better.

[periwinkle]

Sorry- the "Are you questioning whether or not this happened?" comment refers to the Rape of Nanking. That's what I'm appalled about. Killing for sport. Just sick, sick, sick stuff.

I don't know a lot about Asian history, and I'm trusting a lot of what she said in the book. She received excellent reviews, and I haven't seen anything contradictory. Honestly, I haven't done much research besides to visit a few websites.

As for the comfort women, I was talking to my Korean friend about it today. He said that the women haven't received any restitution or apologies. He said the Japanese gov't denies it happened, and they suggest that if it happened, Korean and Chinese women were sold or paid to be comfort women. He also said when the former comfort women go to the embassy, sometimes sympathetic Japanese students or other sympathetic Japanese civilian groups protest along with them.

I guess I got onto the topic of comfort women because it's an illustration of how the Japanese gov't isn't taking full accountability. As for Japan helping China, was this restitution, or did they have another agenda?

I'm just going by what the book says. It is a very compelling book. Gord, I'm just curious, but where are you getting all your info. from?