Mark ’s review of Japan's Holocaust: History of Imperial Japan's Mass Murder and Rape During World War II > Likes and Comments
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Crazy how the U.S. did not persecute any of these criminals in exchange for the “research” results. Atrocious.
Terrific review, Mark. Unless the Germans who teach their history and teach the atrocious committed in the past, the Japanese don't really acknowledge their the "unpleasant" historical realities, which is not good. I hope you've had a pleasant Christmas.
Hi Mark, I completely agree with your comments that in the 1930s Japan was one of the most nationalistic and aggressively warmongering nations on Earth. I find it interesting though, that by the 1950s the same country was once of the most pacifist and anti-militarist on the planet. How quickly national attitudes can change!
I also agree with the author when he says that in 1945 the Japanese planned an attritional defence of their homeland, with the aim of causing so many American casualties that US public opinion would force the US government into a negotiated peace. If Japan had not been forced to surrender, there was a chance that tactic might have worked.
It's usually taken for granted in the West that it was the atom bombs that forced the surrender. There is though an alternative hypothesis that it was the USSR's declaration of war on Japan (which happened between the two bombs being dropped) which actually prompted the surrender, mainly because the Japanese elite were terrified by the prospect of the country being overrun and occupied by the Soviet Union.
I think it may have been a combination of the two.
Karen wrote: "Crazy how the U.S. did not persecute any of these criminals in exchange for the “research” results. Atrocious."
This book described some of the atrocities carried out at Unit 731, horrible. Total dehumanisation of others on a massive scale.
Bianca wrote: "Terrific review, Mark. Unless the Germans who teach their history and teach the atrocious committed in the past, the Japanese don't really acknowledge their the "unpleasant" historical realities, w..."
Yes, the author made distinctions between the Nazis and the Japanese throughout this book Bianca. Some of this made me a bit uneasy.........but it's true, like as you say there has been a serious acknowledgement of their own atrocities, not matched by the Japanese. Could you imagine is Hitler's grandson was currently Chancellor of Germany?
I hope you had a nice Xmas Bianca, here's to a great 2024 (we hope) :))
Ian wrote: "Hi Mark, I completely agree with your comments that in the 1930s Japan was one of the most nationalistic and aggressively warmongering nations on Earth. I find it interesting though, that by the 19..."
I agree with your comments too Ian - the author made mention of the war with the Soviets towards the end of WWII and the Japanese did make the decision (as you say) that it was preferable to surrender to the West rather than to Russia. So there decision was made on the basis of a number of things. There was also some surprise among many in the Japanese community/armed forces - as they had it drummed into them that they should never surrender.
Hope you're having a great Xmas mate :))
Ian wrote: "Same to you and yours Mark!"
Cheers Ian 🍻
Small correction- and not even relevant, but still- it's "Sun Goddess", namely, Amaterasu Oukami. Not God.
"The number of references cited by the author was very high, 1564 in total. In my view it was unbelievable Hirohito escaped the death penalty during the Japanese war crime trials."
You have America to thank for that. To cut a very long story short: A more conservative Japan, with the Emperor as figurehead, was important to the post-WWII Cold War scenario in which Japan would be- along with South Korea- the bulwark against Communism in Asia.
It may even get worse: guess who Abe descends from? A man known as "the monster of Showa", a war criminal who stands out even among war criminals, and got to be a prime minister in post-WWII Japan...as did his son (Abe's father) and Abe himself. Kishi Nobusuke was given some kind of amnesty, due to pressure from hardliners that the States wanted to court, so he got to walk free- which is horrifying- and then climb his way to becoming the most important man in Japan not once, but twice.
It would be like, say, Goering not only not being put on trial but actually elected as chancellor *after* WWII.
Incidentally, this was also the man who decided that the Moonies- the creepy anti-Communist cult from South Korea- would make a great ally because, once again, Cold War logic prevailed.
If there ever was a clear example of continuity of Fascism in Japan, way into the modern day, this is it. And if one cannot be faulted for having a monstrous grandfather, one can most definitely be held accountable for several times praising said grandfather.
Nocturnalux wrote: "Small correction- and not even relevant, but still- it's "Sun Goddess", namely, Amaterasu Oukami. Not God.
"The number of references cited by the author was very high, 1564 in total. In my view it..."
Thanks for all of that useful information Nocturnalux - WWII history isn't my area of expertise, Emperor Helagabalus is as far as I go with Sun Gods!
This paragraph of yours............."It may even get worse: guess who Abe descends from? A man known as "the monster of Showa", a war criminal who stands out even among war crimin.........................., is stunning. You're right about your Goering analogy.
I agree with your closing too - is this a subject you've studied/read a lot about? Maybe this book is for you?
This must have been a difficult book to read, Mark. Japan's invasion and occupation of Singapore in WWII is a painful chapter of our history. I also read this thread of comments with interest. Thank you, Mark, for this informative and interesting review.
Laysee wrote: "This must have been a difficult book to read, Mark. Japan's invasion and occupation of Singapore in WWII is a painful chapter of our history. I also read this thread of comments with interest. Than..."
Too right Laysee, Singapore was also mentioned in a "Rape of Singapore" section as with many more places in SE Asia. It would've been like hell on earth - just terrible. Your country is such a beautiful one as well - been there a few times. This was a difficult read for sure.
Wonderful review Mark but a book I definitely couldn't read. One of your points there makes my blood boil, the fact that Hirohito got away with it and continued to rule!! How could that happen!!! That's not justice!!!
Teresa wrote: "Wonderful review Mark but a book I definitely couldn't read. One of your points there makes my blood boil, the fact that Hirohito got away with it and continued to rule!! How could that happen!!! T..."
Yes, I agree Teresa - seems there was a lot of politics at play at that time BUT - surely......he certainly knew what was happening regarding the behaviour of the IPA. Many of the Generals ended up receiving the death penalty.
The top guys always get away with murder. My Uncle fought against the Japanese in Burma in World War 11. He never said much about it but what he did say wasn't pleasant!!
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Karen
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Dec 24, 2023 08:08AM
Crazy how the U.S. did not persecute any of these criminals in exchange for the “research” results. Atrocious.
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Terrific review, Mark. Unless the Germans who teach their history and teach the atrocious committed in the past, the Japanese don't really acknowledge their the "unpleasant" historical realities, which is not good. I hope you've had a pleasant Christmas.
Hi Mark, I completely agree with your comments that in the 1930s Japan was one of the most nationalistic and aggressively warmongering nations on Earth. I find it interesting though, that by the 1950s the same country was once of the most pacifist and anti-militarist on the planet. How quickly national attitudes can change!I also agree with the author when he says that in 1945 the Japanese planned an attritional defence of their homeland, with the aim of causing so many American casualties that US public opinion would force the US government into a negotiated peace. If Japan had not been forced to surrender, there was a chance that tactic might have worked.
It's usually taken for granted in the West that it was the atom bombs that forced the surrender. There is though an alternative hypothesis that it was the USSR's declaration of war on Japan (which happened between the two bombs being dropped) which actually prompted the surrender, mainly because the Japanese elite were terrified by the prospect of the country being overrun and occupied by the Soviet Union.
I think it may have been a combination of the two.
Karen wrote: "Crazy how the U.S. did not persecute any of these criminals in exchange for the “research” results. Atrocious."This book described some of the atrocities carried out at Unit 731, horrible. Total dehumanisation of others on a massive scale.
Bianca wrote: "Terrific review, Mark. Unless the Germans who teach their history and teach the atrocious committed in the past, the Japanese don't really acknowledge their the "unpleasant" historical realities, w..."Yes, the author made distinctions between the Nazis and the Japanese throughout this book Bianca. Some of this made me a bit uneasy.........but it's true, like as you say there has been a serious acknowledgement of their own atrocities, not matched by the Japanese. Could you imagine is Hitler's grandson was currently Chancellor of Germany?
I hope you had a nice Xmas Bianca, here's to a great 2024 (we hope) :))
Ian wrote: "Hi Mark, I completely agree with your comments that in the 1930s Japan was one of the most nationalistic and aggressively warmongering nations on Earth. I find it interesting though, that by the 19..."I agree with your comments too Ian - the author made mention of the war with the Soviets towards the end of WWII and the Japanese did make the decision (as you say) that it was preferable to surrender to the West rather than to Russia. So there decision was made on the basis of a number of things. There was also some surprise among many in the Japanese community/armed forces - as they had it drummed into them that they should never surrender.
Hope you're having a great Xmas mate :))
Ian wrote: "Same to you and yours Mark!"Cheers Ian 🍻
Small correction- and not even relevant, but still- it's "Sun Goddess", namely, Amaterasu Oukami. Not God."The number of references cited by the author was very high, 1564 in total. In my view it was unbelievable Hirohito escaped the death penalty during the Japanese war crime trials."
You have America to thank for that. To cut a very long story short: A more conservative Japan, with the Emperor as figurehead, was important to the post-WWII Cold War scenario in which Japan would be- along with South Korea- the bulwark against Communism in Asia.
It may even get worse: guess who Abe descends from? A man known as "the monster of Showa", a war criminal who stands out even among war criminals, and got to be a prime minister in post-WWII Japan...as did his son (Abe's father) and Abe himself. Kishi Nobusuke was given some kind of amnesty, due to pressure from hardliners that the States wanted to court, so he got to walk free- which is horrifying- and then climb his way to becoming the most important man in Japan not once, but twice.
It would be like, say, Goering not only not being put on trial but actually elected as chancellor *after* WWII.
Incidentally, this was also the man who decided that the Moonies- the creepy anti-Communist cult from South Korea- would make a great ally because, once again, Cold War logic prevailed.
If there ever was a clear example of continuity of Fascism in Japan, way into the modern day, this is it. And if one cannot be faulted for having a monstrous grandfather, one can most definitely be held accountable for several times praising said grandfather.
Nocturnalux wrote: "Small correction- and not even relevant, but still- it's "Sun Goddess", namely, Amaterasu Oukami. Not God."The number of references cited by the author was very high, 1564 in total. In my view it..."
Thanks for all of that useful information Nocturnalux - WWII history isn't my area of expertise, Emperor Helagabalus is as far as I go with Sun Gods!
This paragraph of yours............."It may even get worse: guess who Abe descends from? A man known as "the monster of Showa", a war criminal who stands out even among war crimin.........................., is stunning. You're right about your Goering analogy.
I agree with your closing too - is this a subject you've studied/read a lot about? Maybe this book is for you?
This must have been a difficult book to read, Mark. Japan's invasion and occupation of Singapore in WWII is a painful chapter of our history. I also read this thread of comments with interest. Thank you, Mark, for this informative and interesting review.
Laysee wrote: "This must have been a difficult book to read, Mark. Japan's invasion and occupation of Singapore in WWII is a painful chapter of our history. I also read this thread of comments with interest. Than..."Too right Laysee, Singapore was also mentioned in a "Rape of Singapore" section as with many more places in SE Asia. It would've been like hell on earth - just terrible. Your country is such a beautiful one as well - been there a few times. This was a difficult read for sure.
Wonderful review Mark but a book I definitely couldn't read. One of your points there makes my blood boil, the fact that Hirohito got away with it and continued to rule!! How could that happen!!! That's not justice!!!
Teresa wrote: "Wonderful review Mark but a book I definitely couldn't read. One of your points there makes my blood boil, the fact that Hirohito got away with it and continued to rule!! How could that happen!!! T..."Yes, I agree Teresa - seems there was a lot of politics at play at that time BUT - surely......he certainly knew what was happening regarding the behaviour of the IPA. Many of the Generals ended up receiving the death penalty.
The top guys always get away with murder. My Uncle fought against the Japanese in Burma in World War 11. He never said much about it but what he did say wasn't pleasant!!
