Canisdirus

It seems some here need education on just how brutal the Japanese were.

This is but a single article...should read every word of it...every word.
https://historycollection.com/8-horrifying-japanese-war-crimes-china-world-war-ii-never-learned-class/

I would also recommend reading "The Rape Of Nanking" ... I did ... had to put it down several times.
That's just ONE city.

Lest we forget, China was being brutalized since 1937... 8 years of it.

Japan made the Germans look like...boy scouts.

cdayton

😁😁😁😁

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

I have read through this thread and notice all the opinions and counter-opinions about the Japanese are written by non-Japanese. I would like to hear from someone of Japanese heritage. The "eye of the beholder" can be very myopic.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

While you may consider those two events similar, I do not. From the beginning of recorded time there have been atrocities, one civilization against another. The Mongolian Hoards of the 13th and 14th centuries, the Crusades which lasted over 300 years, etc. The difference is that by WWII, the world had become more civilized. There was the Geneva Convention in place but ignored by Japan. While I understand the mind set of the Japanese in feeling they needed to go to war to protect assets they felt would be taken away from them, I can't understand the brutality of their pursuit. I can only hope we have learned from the past and that any war in the future will be more humane. To say war is past tense is unrealistic for as long as there are differences in the world, there will be conflicts.

Canisdirus

Lol...what?

Maybe when talking about lynchings...we should hear from real KKK members.
I think the records of the VICTIMS are more pertinent and reliable.
If you went to school in Japan...this would not be part of your classroom studies...they have buried it culturally.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I have called a very very kind and caring person. Attempt to hurt my loved ones or such and you will see the devil himself. Same holds true for most anyone.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

I can see this discussion heading for the attic.

baron_silverton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

This is a little off topic, but there is a great documentary on Netflix about the Japanese Samurai's. I found it very interesting and a different insight into the culture - not making any judgments in any way, shape or form - just saying it is an interesting if not educational documentary.
-B

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Absolutely true. It was made very evident to me when I read, "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.

Wuligal Loc: Slippery Rock, Pa.

I agree.....but if your adage is true why am I expected to pay reparations for something a person I'm not related to did a hundred and fifty years ago?

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

After reading through this, I feel obligated to respond. I personally knew a man, he passed away many years ago, who was held prisoner in Japan during WWII. He related very little about his incarceration to friends or family. What I did hear from him was that the Japanese were very cruel in their treatment. In his later years he was able to relate a little more and did forgive them in a manner. It was obviously difficult for him to do but he did it. I knew another man, a sailor aboard a Naval ship in the Pacific, whose ship was sunk by the Japanese Navy. As the ship sank the Japanese sailors threw some fist sized objects into the water near the Americans. At first the Americans thought the objects were hand grenades. Actually they were potatoes so the Americans had at least some food, possibly for survival. On the other hand, I think of the treatment we in the USA gave to the Japanese Americans, many who were naturalized and born citizens of this country. The US also has the history of slavery and the ill treatment of Africans who were captured (kidnapped in reality), brought to this, and many other countries, for the purpose of making them labor in the worst of conditions, many murdered and their killers never prosecuted. The Native Americans were treated in a similar manner, their land taken from them and many were killed just for being of a different race. Wuligal and NMGal mentioned reparations for those atrocities and I agree with them that we need not provide monetary or physical repayment for the loss of those from bygone years. However we could and should give respect to the members of any race or ethnicity by treating them like we want to be treated. It is called the "Golden Rule" for a reason. Respect is not something that can be given easily, for some, and yet it must be earned by giving respect to those who give it. It can be cyclical and grow.

Wuligal Loc: Slippery Rock, Pa.

[quote=PhotogHobbyist]After reading through this, I feel obligated to respond. I personally knew a man, he passed away many years ago, who was held prisoner in Japan during WWII. He related very little about his ...

We speak of the atrocities committed by certain "races" or "cultures". I have no statistics or data to backup my thoughts on this but no matter the shape of the eye or color of skin I don't believe the average "work for a living joe" has either the inclination or time to commit organized atrocities. That kind of brutality comes from the top. Sometimes that "average joe" has no choice. He must obey or starve or be killed.
Maybe, just maybe we should stop the collective guilt and hold our LEADERS AND LAW MAKERS responsible.

Bret Perry

Canisdirus

[quote=Wuligal]

It was an intricate part of Japanese culture.
They behaved like ISIS does today...just far more powerful and organized...and did far more damage to the innocent.
As a population, they were willing to die for their Emperor.
It was a pervasive code.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Different Leaders of the Country and today's generation compared to the later. Our generation and Country are so different from that generation back then. I would never have believed that our Country would be what it is today.