China and Japan: school children's views

[chimx]

Some discussions have gone on here on the "less than whole" history in Japanese text books, especially when dealing with China and Korea. I found this article on the BBC that interviews a great deal of young teenagers over their perception of the other country, and what they are taught in school. I think it is an extremely interesting read for any people following Japanese politics and their process of coming to terms with their unfortunate past:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6545085.stm

example:


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42787000/jpg/_42787673_chen_yajing_203.jpg
CHEN YAJING, 15, BEIJING

I have been learning about Japanese history for three years. I think that they should be ashamed that the history they teach is distorted.

However, there are a lot of good things about Japan, like Japanese technology and comics, so I am a bit confused whether to like or hate Japan.

I'm a huge fan of Japanese horror movies, they are simply fantastic. Like that movie, The Ring. There was a Japanese and an American version, but they are just not comparable. The Japanese one is so much better.

China isn't good at making movies, and there definitely are a lot of ways in which China can't compete with Japan.

I still feel that the Japanese government isn't right. They shouldn't be so hypocritical regarding history; they just keep denying the facts. I can never forgive them. No matter how good their comics are, how strong their technology is, this history will not fade away.

I would consider travelling to Japan but it is not somewhere I would dream to go to. It's so small and crowded, and I'd rather travel to European countries instead.

[Capcomm]

nice find, interesting article indeed...

i feel after reading this as if the Chinese government is indoctrinating the kids with a sort of "grudge"..the Japs seem a bit more willing to be friends. You should never forget, but you also have to learn to let go. Its kind of pointless to want to teach the Japanese kids everything wrong their country did in the past etc... ok they colonized China they did wrong things, thats it, why would you want to go into details about it? Later on when they do research on their own they can find out about the details, instead of indoctrinating them already as kids.

[RNK]

ok they colonized China they did wrong things, thats it

Ignorance of historical fact does not a good Leftist make.

[Cheung Mo]

The Japanese were far less cruel to the Han and Aboriginals living in Formosa than the Kuomintang bastards were. While the Japanese did some brutal things on the mainland, nothing they did on Taiwan can be compared to the Kuomintang's Washington-sponsored White terror. It's shameful that the Taidu movement relies on the backing of the same factions of the bourgeoisie that butchered their parents and grandparents. The only way forward for Taiwan is liberation of the proletariat from both the American and Chinese factions of the bourgeoisie. Subservience to the foreign capitalists and their agents within the local bourgeoisie will reduce the people of Taiwan to undignified pawns, tossed around by the political and economic superpowers of ruling class geopolitics.

[chimx]

i feel after reading this as if the Chinese government is indoctrinating the kids with a sort of "grudge"..the Japs seem a bit more willing to be friends. You should never forget, but you also have to learn to let go. Its kind of pointless to want to teach the Japanese kids everything wrong their country did in the past etc... ok they colonized China they did wrong things, thats it, why would you want to go into details about it? Later on when they do research on their own they can find out about the details, instead of indoctrinating them already as kids.

Well, unfortunately you have been restricted so you can't really reply, but I would counter with the South African experience of the "truth and reconciliation" process (hell I would like to hear other people's thoughts on it). While I understand that there is always a hesitancy to down play the negative history of a nation by the gov't, unless the two engage in some sort of dialogue first, there is going to be continual bitter feelings.

Yea you don't want to hurt the collective conscious of a country, but you also need to bare in mind the collective conscious of the victimized country, and that ignoring their historical experience is akin to pouring salt in a wound.

[Herman]

While the Japanese did some brutal things on the mainland, nothing they did on Taiwan can be compared to the Kuomintang's Washington-sponsored White terror.

So the rape of nanking was nothing, eh?

[The Living Red]

I wouldn't downplay the rape of Nanking or any other of the crimes committed in China by the Japanese, Cheung mo. The actions of the Japanese fascists were absolutely heinous; Japan should definately face up to her past more openly.

However, what you said about Kuomintang-controlled Taiwan is interesting. Can you provide a source for it?

[Janus]

i feel after reading this as if the Chinese government is indoctrinating the kids with a sort of "grudge"
The government doesn't need to do that. Just about every Chinese person's family has been affected in some way or another by the Japanese invasion.


..the Japs seem a bit more willing to be friends.
Which is why they're still hesitant for apologies, continue to ignore their imperialist history, and maintain a strong patriotic study for their students.


You should never forget, but you also have to learn to let go.
That can only be done once everyone fully accepted what has happened.


Its kind of pointless to want to teach the Japanese kids everything wrong their country did in the past etc... ok they colonized China they did wrong things, thats it, why would you want to go into details about it?
Otherwise they don't truly understand it.

[BobKKKindle$]

However, there are a lot of good things about Japan, like Japanese technology and comics, so I am a bit confused whether to like or hate Japan.

This comment is particuarly interesting. Its as if she feels that a government's refusal to recognize historical injusticies is sufficient basis to 'hate' an entire country - how is it even possible to 'hate' - or for that matter 'like' - such an abstract concept as a nation state? She also feels that appreciation of a country's culture and consumer goods and criticism of a country's history and foreign policy are somehow incompatible - why should this be the case?


Later on when they do research on their own they can find out about the details, instead of indoctrinating them already as kids.

Secondary School Textbooks do not have sufficient coverage of Japan's actions during the second world war and so their ability to expand their knowledge and understanding beyond what they are taught is limited unless they can access external, objective sources. The same, is of course, true of China in relation to the Tian'anmen Democracy Movement.

[Brekisonphilous]

The past is gone; now is all there is.

[RedStarOverChina]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14, 2007 12:35 pm
The past is gone; now is all there is.
Yes...that and the Japanese militarists.

Ever since the 90s Japanese neocons are experiencing an "re-awakening"...funded by reactionary financial groups, they are regaining their influence.

That MUST be stopped.

[Question everything]

Originally posted by [email protected] 13, 2007 03:21 am

ok they colonized China they did wrong things, thats it

Ignorance of historical fact does not a good Leftist make.
And Yoda makes a pretty sucky commie too :P