Japan Rejects Chinese War Claim

A demonstration was held (once again) earlier this week in protest of Japan’s inability to (once again) excuse itself for atrocities of the Second World War, in this case regarding slave labor of Chinese men and women taken captive by the invasion forces.
A court in Fukuoka ultimately rejected the plea for 1 billion yen in compensation, and a written apology of the Japanese government.

This is another example in the myriad of cases that have been brought to the public eye’s attention over the past seven decades since the capitulation of Japan. I am concerned that China will use its nationalism as a means to manipulation of its people, not to say that other countries (such as our own) aren’t guilty of this as well; however, the riots against Japanese embassies last year are an example of how Chinese government officials fail to take responsibility in assisting their diplomatic allies in a situation spurred on by ads from the Central Government. Although there were police forces present, there was little action to quell the riotous behavior of demonstrators in the inner city.

Similar to Clinton’s apology to the Native Americans it is difficult to associate people of the present doing justice for those atrocities of a previous generation. Bending to the accusations would put Japan in a difficult position, in that it would be admitting guilt for wartime atrocities yet it would fail to burry the hatchet between the two countries. China’s animosity toward Japan may be historically well founded, but some of the most adamant supporters of Japanese admittance to guilt are young student groups who physically have little or no direct relation to the war in the pacific. The situation is generally something that will only impair future relations between the two “Asian tigers.” It is thereby also essential that violent forms of radicalism be verbally denounced by the respective governments. In any case, it will most likely be a long time before there is any headway on the issue.

“Japan anger at Shanghai violence” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4452097.stm
“Japan rejects Chinese war claim” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4855640.stm