Showing posts with label Yoshi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoshi. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Is Japan Giving Up Pacifism ?

In the news, 25,000 Japanese protesters in Toyko opposed war legislation put forward by their Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. These are my thoughts and comments:

To allow Japan to give up Pacifism and re-militarize itself is a terrible mistake. Japan's war crimes and atrocities against China and other Asian and non-Asian countries still have not been settled. Don't know what political and military game that Abe is playing.

Regarding Japan's war crimes and atrocities committed against China in the Second World War, Japan still has not issued a formal apology to China. Instead, Abe just said to the U.S. Congress that "History is harsh. What was done cannot be undone." What an irresponsible statement and B.S. it was !

When I went to university in the U.S., I had a Japanese schoolmate Yoshi who talked candidly about these things with me, including Japan's invasion and occupying of China, the Nanjing Massacre, Sex Slaves, and so many war crimes and atrocities. Yoshi said these words to me, " I sincerely apologize to China for Japan." Whao, how I wish Yoshi became the Prime Minister of Japan, not Shinzo Abe.  

If Japan or other Asian countries think that the U.S. will always take side with them to fight China, they are making a terrible mistake. China wants peace, not war, but China will never be humiliated by Japan ever again. It is unlikely that the U.S. will go to war with China or Russia. If it did, a nuclear war would break out, and the whole world would be finished.

Uncle Sam also makes a terrible mistake, if he thinks that NATO members will always "obey" him 100%. If the U.S. goes to war with Russia, I bet Germany and France will not follow, in spite of NATO's so-called principle of "If you attack one, you attack all". Does this remind you of George Bush's stupid statement that "you are either on our side, or you are on the terrorist's side!" ?

At the end of the day, each country would be most concerned with its own well being and success, and would not blindly take action solely based on its membership or affiliation with whatever organization or alliance it belongs to. I mean when the shit hit the fan, it is not impossible that ideology and membership would yield to unexpected action rather based on rationality, reality and practicality.

I dare to say that the whole Asia, including Japan, is already substantially anchored with and influenced by China's growing economy. To put it bluntly, if you are an Asian country located in Asia, would you join the increasingly prosperous and powerful China Club nearby, or the debt-ridden and declining American Club thousands of miles away?

China is not a new rising power. It is a re-emerging power. Except for the last 200 years or so, China has always been the super power of the world. When I attended university in the U.S., an American History Professor told me that the 19th century belongs to the British Empire, the 20th century belongs to the United States of America, and the 21st century belongs to China. Looks like he is right.

Dear Mr. Abe, please listen to your own peace-loving Japanese protesters. Even Uncle Sam is showing signs of being tired of repeated war games, and you think that by re-militarizing Japan, you can again invade and fight China?

Sunday, January 5, 2014

I Sincerely Apologize

When I think about 2013, I keep hearing the statement "I sincerely apologize", "I sincerely apologize". I'm sure you know that it came from Rob Ford, the mayor of Toronto. He has become Canada's king of apology." I sincerely apologize" makes me think of a few things:
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Canadians seem to be more gentle and modest than Americans.We often say sorry, sometimes even more than necessary. Forgive me for creating this stereotype: if a Canadian bumps into another Canadian, he or she would say "I'm sorry" and the response from the other Canadian would be "no problem". But if it happens between 2 Americans, it is possible that these would be the exclamations instead: "oops" and "hey, what are you doing ? Don't touch me!"
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I am an ex-Catholic.I wonder if Rob Ford is a Catholic. Did he go to confession and say to the priest "I sincerely apologize"and ask for forgiveness? He said "I sincerely apologize" so many times to the public and media that some people would doubt if he really meant what he said, that he was really sorry. I saw clearly that he did apologize, but I am not sure how sincere he was.
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I am also an ex-Christian.I left the religion of Christianity, but kept some of the good teachings of Christ. I found much hypocrisy among the Christian leaders, both religious and political leaders.While Jesus teaches about love and forgiveness, many such leaders act terribly the opposite way. They have no compassion and understanding. They are religious, but not spiritual. They are not quite peace makers.They are rather warriors, criminals, and murderers of innocent people.They are very judgmental and revengeful. Love your neighbor as thyself - what? Love your enemy - are you kidding? Who said so? Dear Christian leaders, it is your God and Lord Jesus! So you are a Christian, but you don't follow Jesus' teachings?! 
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If Rob Ford's apology was sincere, then he should be forgiven. Just tell him to put it in writing and sign his own statement "I sincerely apologize". If you are a Christian, please check your own Christian bible.In Matthew 18: 21-22, Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness.How many times should we forgive? Seven times? No, Jesus said "forgive 70 x 7 times". Hey, that means we must forgive at least 490 times. How many times did Rob Ford get drunk and take Cocaine? How many times did he say "I sincerely apologize"? It is ironical that Jesus is spiritual, but many of his Christian followers are only religious but not spiritual. I also find it ironical, even amusing, that some non-Christians or atheists are more Christian than the Christians. For example, Bruce Lee, once said "Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them". 
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Rob Ford said "I sincerely apologize" so many times, but it was not my first time of hearing this apologetic statement.When I went to university in U.S.A., I had a schoolmate Yoshi from Japan.We were talking about Japan's war-time aggression against China, the Nanjing Massacre, and Japan's invasion and occupation of parts of China and Hong Kong.This is what Yoshi said to me "I sincerely apologize". Whao, I wish Yoshi became the prime minister of Japan.Unfortunately, the reality is not good.The current relationship between China and Japan is bad. In addition to the dispute of some islands in the China Sea, Shinzo Abe, the prime minister of Japan has been bluntly told by the Chinese Government that he is not welcome in China, after his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine seen by the Chinese as a shrine of Japanese war criminals.
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For the Canadians to forgive Rob Ford's mistakes is so much easier than for the Chinese to forgive Japan's war crimes against China.How many times did Rob Ford say "I sincerely apologize"? And what is the probability that Shinzo Abe will actually say sorry to the Chinese people? The probability is zero !