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Historically cowardly Abe needs a good dose of German bravery

yusheng

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2015-03-09 16:19 Xinhua


With German Chancellor Angela Merkel kicking off a working visit to Japan on Monday, Tokyo would not be its opportunistic self if it did not try to turn Berlin into a cheerleader for its "normal country" bid.

When announcing Merkel's trip late last month, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the Shinzo Abe administration would like to make the visit "an opportunity to send a message to the world that Japan and Germany, as partners sharing basic values, will proactively contribute to global peace and prosperity."

And in January, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that their countries "should both announce positive messages to the world mentioning past contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity."

Those remarks were a dead giveaway of the Abe administration's attempt to elevate itself to the rank of Germany on the international stage and exploit Merkel's trip to doctor its ugly image on historical issues and obtain the kind of global respect Berlin enjoys.

But this wishful scheme is just Abe's pipe dream. For starters, there is no sensible reason for Germany to debase its dignity and throw itself behind Japan's craven and irresponsible historical stance, to which China, South Korea and the broader international community are firmly opposed and from which even Japan's closest ally, the United States, keeps a good distance.

For another, even if Tokyo could cajole some sort of backing from Berlin for its aspiration to become a "normal country," Germany standing behind would not help Abe's Japan look any more normal, but only to reveal how far it is from it.

For against the backdrop of Berlin's bravery on historical reflection, Tokyo's cowardice is all the more conspicuous; against the backdrop of Berlin's sincerity in historical remorse, Tokyo's brazen impenitence looks ever more shameful.

As the world prepares to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Merkel's visit indeed presents Japan with a unique opportunity. But it is not for Tokyo to manipulate the trip for the purpose of gilding its own image, but to truly learn some historical lessons from Germany.

It is time for Abe to understand that when West German Chancellor Willy Brandt knelt down at the monument to victims of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, his nation stood up.

It is time for him to recognize that glossing over Japan's past atrocities and gutting its pacifist constitution will never lead it past the threshold of a "normal country."

And it is time for him to realize that without a correct attitude to history, without the courage to face up to Japan's militarist past and take on the inherent responsibility, his dream of Japan becoming a "normal country" will never ever come true.
 
From the attitude to history, one can see the difference between Germany and Japan, the deep reason for that is that Japan is an island country, thinking way is different from German and Chinese who are continental countries, viewing history on a large scale in time and space, island thingings only flower briefly like a epiphyllum bloom shortly, islands countries can not be long Empire, the British Empire had fallen, Japan can't hold out much longer.

a double faces or even multi faces Japan can not get trust from the others.
 
Well German a country of European family and Japan an oriental country on behalf of east Asia which had been colonized by the european.
Chinese should know Merkel's attitude toward east asian,just see the map she gave Chinese president as present.
 
Tractor, idon't know the Merkel's attitude to China by the map, what the map means? can you explain?
 
2015-03-09 16:19 Xinhua


With German Chancellor Angela Merkel kicking off a working visit to Japan on Monday, Tokyo would not be its opportunistic self if it did not try to turn Berlin into a cheerleader for its "normal country" bid.

When announcing Merkel's trip late last month, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the Shinzo Abe administration would like to make the visit "an opportunity to send a message to the world that Japan and Germany, as partners sharing basic values, will proactively contribute to global peace and prosperity."

And in January, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that their countries "should both announce positive messages to the world mentioning past contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity."

Those remarks were a dead giveaway of the Abe administration's attempt to elevate itself to the rank of Germany on the international stage and exploit Merkel's trip to doctor its ugly image on historical issues and obtain the kind of global respect Berlin enjoys.

But this wishful scheme is just Abe's pipe dream. For starters, there is no sensible reason for Germany to debase its dignity and throw itself behind Japan's craven and irresponsible historical stance, to which China, South Korea and the broader international community are firmly opposed and from which even Japan's closest ally, the United States, keeps a good distance.

For another, even if Tokyo could cajole some sort of backing from Berlin for its aspiration to become a "normal country," Germany standing behind would not help Abe's Japan look any more normal, but only to reveal how far it is from it.

For against the backdrop of Berlin's bravery on historical reflection, Tokyo's cowardice is all the more conspicuous; against the backdrop of Berlin's sincerity in historical remorse, Tokyo's brazen impenitence looks ever more shameful.

As the world prepares to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Merkel's visit indeed presents Japan with a unique opportunity. But it is not for Tokyo to manipulate the trip for the purpose of gilding its own image, but to truly learn some historical lessons from Germany.

It is time for Abe to understand that when West German Chancellor Willy Brandt knelt down at the monument to victims of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, his nation stood up.

It is time for him to recognize that glossing over Japan's past atrocities and gutting its pacifist constitution will never lead it past the threshold of a "normal country."

And it is time for him to realize that without a correct attitude to history, without the courage to face up to Japan's militarist past and take on the inherent responsibility, his dream of Japan becoming a "normal country" will never ever come true.


There will be the realization of communion and austere reflection of the mistakes of the past. This year, which commemorates 70 years since the end of the great Pacific War, is as significant for Japan and Japanese -- who see and desire a fraternal relationship with our friends and partners in the Asia-Pacific. Since the end of the war, Japan has been vested in regional growth, peace and shared prosperity --- which can be seen through Japan's lengthy and proud curriculum vitae.

To Peace and To Brotherly Love among all our Asian Brothers !

 
Tractor, idon't know the Merkel's attitude to China by the map, what the map means? can you explain?
First of all you should know what the map was and looked like.
20150310041417mwb.jpeg

17742183.jpg

All Chinese media reported that the map showing Chinese territory was like a mulberry leaf and was much more larger than today's,what a joke!

lets wait and see whether Abe will accept China's invitation.
He will,just see whether China accept him.
 
this is only a map , one of the hundreds historical maps of old China made by different people with speical thinkings, meaning nothing to today's China at all, why are you so indulging it it? and even connnect it to someone's attitudes to China. ridiculous.
 
this is only a map , one of the hundreds historical maps of old China made by different people with speical thinkings, meaning nothing to today's China at all, why are you so indulging it it? and even connnect it to someone's attitudes to China. ridiculous.
Someone's attitude is so obvious and I don't think you have no sensation even at minimum level.
 
in fact , i did think so. maybe you misunderstood her, or should someone call her and ask her directly?
 
Someone's attitude is so obvious and I don't think you have no sensation even at minimum level.

Merkel's diplomatic sublety was directed at Xi, not at E Asians
But her map was not complete nor official as the technique of topology then used in the map drawing was not as advanced as today

images

White jade Chinese cauldron with cover
刘忠荣 Liu Zhongrong

@xunzi

Ignore Indian trolls please
 
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