Merkel: Facing WW II atrocity key to German reconciliation

[xunzi]

Germany is such a role model for other troublemakers of the past. This is why Germany deserves sympathy for their mistake.

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Merkel: Facing WW II atrocity key to German reconciliation

By MARI YAMAGUCHI36 minutes ago


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TOKYO (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday on a visit to Japan, where bitter disputes mark the country's attempts to define its wartime actions, that Germany was able to return to a respected place in the international society because of its efforts to squarely face its World War II atrocities.

But Merkel, at a speech organized by the liberal-leaning Asahi newspaper in Tokyo, said she could not give any specific advice to Japan because lessons should be learned by its own people.

Her comments come as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to deliver a statement later this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. There is speculation that Abe, seen as a revisionist hawk, may water down Japan's 1995 landmark apology over its aggression across Asia.

Merkel said Germany still appreciates the generosity of its neighbors that accepted the country back to the international community despite the horrors of the war and Holocaust.

"Without these generous gestures of our neighbors this would not have been possible. There was, however, also a readiness in Germany to face our history openly and squarely," she said. "It's difficult for me as a German chancellor to give you advice for how to deal with your neighborhood. It has to come out of a process in society."

Japan's relations with its closest neighbors China and South Korea, both victims of Japan's militarism before and during the World War II, have worsened in recent years largely over history and territorial issues. Under Abe's administration, Japan is seen stepping up its effort to whitewash its wartime atrocities.

 

[yusheng]

yes， true

 

[Tractor]

This old lady is so boring.
Once she was an Angel lovely with her big daddy.

German just apologize for that they had once allied with an alien nation to counter their fellow creatures.

 

[yusheng]

TOKYO, March 9 -- Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday taught a valuable lesson to Japan over how her country was accepted by its European neighbors and the international community after the end of World War II, noting that Japan should look at its own history squarely.
During a Q&A session after her address here, regarding a question about Japan's relations with China and South Korea over historical issues, the German leader said her country was lucky to be reintroduced and accepted by the international community after the horrible days during the Nazi rule and the holocaust.
"I think it was possible first because Germany did face its past squarely," said Merkel, adding that Europe has learnt from centuries of war and "one of the greatest achievements was the reconciliation between Germany and France."
"Today it can be safely called Franco-German relationship. The French have made just as valuable contributions as Germans have. Without the generous gestures from our neighbors, it would not have been possible. There was also a readiness in Germany to face our own history openly and squarely," said Merkel.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel (4th L) and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) take part in a meeting with German and Japanese business leaders in Tokyo, Japan, March 9, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

BEIJING, March 10 -- As the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) draws near, Japanhas recently received both straight-forward and implied admonishments for its failure in seriously reflecting on wartime history.

While answering the question of a Japanese reporter at a press conference here on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to abandon any attempt to dilute the nation's guilt for its wartime atrocities.

"Seventy years ago, Japan lost the war. Seventy years afterwards, Japan must not lose its conscience," Wang cautioned.

A day later in Tokyo, visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkelmade less stinging remarks but to the same effect when she said her country has won forgiveness from its European neighbors over Nazi Germany's role in WWII "first because Germany did face its past squarely."

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of both the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world's anti-Fascist war. Under such circumstances, whether Japan could really express deep remorse for wartime crimes and draw lessons from history will be the focus of the world attention.

But unfortunately, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abehas shown an inclination to dial down national remorse over the war, following various eyebrow-raising remarks in recent weeks.

During his political career, Abe has made repeated attempts to whitewash Japan's history of aggression.

 

[Aepsilons]

 

[Keel]

"Her comments come as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to deliver a statement later this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. There is speculation that Abe, seen as a revisionist hawk, may water down Japan's 1995 landmark apology over its aggression across Asia."

Respect to Merkel
Let us see what Abe is going to say
The world's police is mummed about this so far

A section of the 5.25 meters long scroll ink and brush painting 清明上河图 “Along the river during Qingming Festival”. The insertion is the work of an animated version of the painting done by contemporary artists
Original work was drawn by Song dynasty artist 张泽端 Zheng Zeduan

 

[YoucanYouup]

TOKYO, March 10 (Xinhua)-- Japanese media and public on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to face up to history squarely, citing German Chancellor Angela Merkel's words"facing World War II crimes is key to reconciliation"during a lecture in Tokyo.
As the lecture's sponsor, the Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday that"It's a surprise that Merkel, who is always cautious in speech, to mention history problem directly when visiting Japan." "Given the progress of the summit, Japan and German have different opinions in historical recognition,"the newspaper said, adding"Merkel referred to German's own experience, but Abe did not respond accordingly." "Merkel cited the late German President Richard Von Weizsaecker' s famous 1985 speech in which he called the end of WWII in Europe a'day of liberation,'showing clearly that confront history squarely is the precondition for German to be accepted by international community,"head of Seigakuin University Kang Sang- jung said.
Political scientists believed it is an important message Merkel delivered to Japan, which could also be regarded as an indirect suggestion to Abe's landmark war-anniversary statement scheduled for August.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said Merkel's declaration revealed her dissatisfaction with Japan's attitude when solving relations with neighboring countries."She hopes Japan's relations with its close neighboring countries will not be worse."
Masaru Kaneko, a professor of Japan's Keio University, criticized Japan's non-action in taking wartime responsibility." Moreover, the government (of Abe) is trying to rebuild the militarism system. It's truly a setback."
Former Prime Minister of Japan Tomiichi Murayama on Monday stated his own worries related to the 1995 statement issued in his name. "Abe may want to water down and make changes to (the Murayama statement) that acknowledged and apologized for Japan's colonial rule and aggression,"Murayama said on a TV program."Changing the sentiment of that statement could negate all of its benefits to Japan,"he stressed.
Shinichi Kitaoka, the acting chief of an advisory panel on Abe' s 70th anniversary statement, also said on Monday that he wants the prime minister to acknowledge Japan waged"a war of invasion"in the statement.

 

[Sanchez]

Maybe Japan would think the same as Germans after another aggression war....