Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Someone once asked me...(I think it was my colleague) "What are your views on Japan as a country during wartime days & the modern Japan?" Since I'm a ultimate Japan fanatic, she wants to know if I'm on the Japan side or Chinese side.
I do hate Japan for all the damage & pain they have done to Chinese in the early 1930s. But I'm not bringing my grudge to-date to the current Japan, the world's second largest economy. What's history shall remain as it is. But, one thing that puts me off is the fact that Japan are glossing over the fact that tens of millions are killed because of their selfish wartime act. Failure to admit to its mistakes & covering it up is the biggest sin any human being can commit, let alot a country. Moreover, one that's fighting for a seat in the United Nations Security Council.
However, in the recent shrine visit controversy, I don't see why everyone (especially China) is making such a big fuss over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit. He is merely paying respects to those that sacrificed for their country. Shouldn't their patriotism be recognised? I know they are the very ones that caused the death of our fellow men & ancestors. In the time of war, do they have a choice? Did they choose to become war soldiers? Did we know what were they going through when they killed? It's either kill or get killed. But for peace sake, I think Koizumi should just stop visiting the shrine for the time-being. (He just visited one again at Chidorigafuchi cemetery yesterday.) China's premier, Wu Yi's abrupt cancellation of meeting was an obvious indication of displease. 58% of Japanese opposed to further visits by Koizumi to the shrine & 51% said Japan's not putting in enough effort to improve its ties with China. That's more than half for you. The people have sensed the strain in international relations, why not the government?
So, should I say I hate Japan? Not exactly. I admit I'm a Japan-freak — a known fact to all that know me. I'm in love with its culture, its language, it as a country as a whole & not political-wise. Frankly speaking, I'm already thinking of studying there, then get a job there, get married, start a family & live there happily ever after. Or so I wish. My colleague once told me, "You like Japan so much because you've never been there. What makes you think you will continue to be in love with it? What if you hate it there after giving up your Singapore citizenship?" True. Very true. What I'm painting now is a perfect picture of my Japan. It maybe far from realism. Seeing it on TV & reading about it & just visiting it is a different story from living there as a home. Many have warned me about the egoism in Japanese men and how tiny a woman's social status is, how perverted Japanese men are. (Look how the pornography industry has flourished there.) I know. I know. I know about all these. But, I'll just continue to love Japan the way I want it to be, the way I think it is.
Sidenote. My colleague just bought me a really gorgeous souvenir from Tokyo. She asked if I like it. My reply: "So long it's Japan-related, even if it's just a bottle of mineral water, I'll treasure it like it's gold bar." Thank you sweetie! (o^_^ o) Anyone going Japan recently? Can get me a bottle of sand from their beach please? Serious. I'm not kidding. My friend's trip got cancelled, so there goes my bottle of sand. =(
Disclaimer: The above statements are purely the site-owner's views & comments. Friendly debates are welcomed. Flaming? Count that out please. Thank you.
// she's beautifully chaotic at 1:16 AM >> 