Can Forgive But Not Forget...

[Civic2000]

Taiwan was Japan's first overseas colony between 1895 and 1945; Japanese intentions were to turn the island into a showpiece "model colony

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/26/2012 at 11:01 PM, Vulcann said:

I think the writer is over-sensitive and barking up the wrong tree.

 

The 3 years and 8 months under the barbaric rule of Imperial Japan was the darkest period in our short history and the act of the school teacher to illustrate this painful history to his students is nothing short of admiration. We should in fact encourage more of such acts to make our children realise why we need to have national service and that the peace which we all enjoy now does not come at a easy price.

 

Besdies, I believe both young Israelites and Germans are taught in schools about the horrors of Holocaust and the evil Nazi empire respectively as part of a very important passage in their lives.

 

We have, however, heard occasionally that some Japanese today still tried to white-wash the attrocities committed by their ancestors during WWII and even claim some like the massacre of Nanking residents did not happen. Being a victim of the atomic bomb twice does not mean they can ignore what happened to innocent people who died at their hands or suffered under their inhuman acts.

 

I believe many of us do not bear any grudge against the Japanese today and are sympathetic to what happened to them because of the tsunami. Many of us also chip in in terms of donations and some even went there to help them.

 

Like many before us have said, we can forgive but not forget.

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_781977.html

 

Let's not remain stuck in teaching a one-sided view of a cruel Japan

Published on Mar 27, 2012

 

IN THE month when the world falls silent to mark the first anniversary of the devastating Tohoku earthquake, I was shocked to read of a Chung Cheng High School teacher's insensitive portrayal of a Japanese soldier as one who wields a sword, is cruel and one-dimensional ('Japanese soldier bursts in... to teach history'; Sunday).

 

As a reminder of Singapore's vulnerability even when it was part of the powerful British empire, the 31/2 year nightmare of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during World War II remains a core focus of our national education syllabus.

 

However creative the teacher's intention, his simplistic vilification of the Japanese risks a mistreatment of history and disrespect to other societies that run counter to efforts of cultivating a progressive education culture.

 

Beyond the need to take our national security seriously, it is time for schools to consider crafting more balanced and broader perspectives about the Japanese Occupation.

 

These should include examining how ordinary Japanese were also victims of Japanese militarism, and how the country was able to stoically and collectively face huge challenges in pulling itself together - be it from the nuclear rubble of Hiroshima and Nagasaki left by American atomic bombs in 1945, or the debris from Sendai deposited by the receding waves of last year's tsunami.

 

For a long time, we have taught the young about the worst in mankind in the shape of the stereotypical Japanese imperial officer of World War II.

 

Perhaps it may be beneficial for students to learn about the more positive images of Japan in the national education curriculum.

 

I am reminded of a photograph taken during the aftermath of the earthquake showing ordinary Japanese calmly buying groceries at a makeshift convenience store amid the wreckage of the tsunami.

 

For me, it revealed the best of Japan and the best of humanity, one that Singaporeans should work towards, bringing out the best in themselves and in Singapore.

 

Liew Kai Khiun

I believe to be among more people enlightened to observed that GRC = Gangsters-Rob-Citizens/Children. Difficult to overcome a gang of seven during GE (so robbed of the cictzens' rights to elect on fair bassis) . CPF = Chronic Provident Failure. Replacement for Pension Scheme, but failed to provide for retirement if official acknowledegement. Younger generations emigrating because of these. Hence the babies shortage. Long-term planing = chronic issues forth-coming. A-team = Absconding Teamwork to other ministry when ponding is really flooding.

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/27/2012 at 7:04 AM, Philipkee said:

I think we forget one thing. Germany was occupied by the Allies after the war and so a lot of things changed but Japan retained it's form of govt after the war. The Allies did not occupy Japan to the extent that they changed the entire govt and education. The emperor was still the head.

The headache?

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/27/2012 at 5:15 AM, LoverofCar said:

In Singapore....we always forgive and forget wat......no matter how the MIW screwed us time and time again...the 60% still vote for them de...

Based on the reports/comments after the last GE, the 60%+ included conditional supporting votes due to ignorance. Such as negative endorsemt onto the candidate's portion (go to hel... and the likes). Had those votes being more properly cast, the ruling party could be just minority instead.

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/27/2012 at 2:10 AM, 2009k said:

Apparently (or I was told) was that the Germans made official apology and acknowledged their crime. The Japanese did not do so.

You mean like: I am sorry IF?

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/27/2012 at 1:55 PM, Fennmax said:

Glad that the yankies nuked that place, otherwise I wont be here nosing around. My parent didn know can tahan any longer if the war persisted. As it is, I had lost a few relatives.

So lucky, my parents were on the edge of facing starvation when the Japanese Occupation was over. My mum's uncle fled to Sarawak during the WW2.

[Good-Carbuyer]

  On 3/27/2012 at 3:15 PM, 2009k said:

The only country that was not part of WWII was Thailand rite? The Japanese signed treaty with Thailand for right of way passing through Thailand without a war on Thais. Anyway, all history liao lah...

 

Live today, be present in the present!

 

Chill...

The Jap knew the British overlooked the weakness of assumption/imagination that no one would attack through Thailand. Also overlooked the Indian Army reinforcement would surrendered without firing a shot in Singapore.

[Freestylers09]

  On 3/27/2012 at 3:15 PM, Civic2000 said:

Taiwan was Japan's first overseas colony between 1895 and 1945; Japanese intentions were to turn the island into a showpiece "model colony

[Freestylers09]

That was the final ruling when the armies are brutal

as it was use as some sort war base

I saying the earlier wheres theres jap government building the island

[Unidentified]

  On 3/27/2012 at 3:15 PM, Scion said:

how many know that Okinawa was formerly an independent country called RyuKyu Kingdom?

 

it had its own language, culture and govt

 

it was annexed by Japan in 1872

 

Japan never really treated Okinawa as its own kind, even today... that's why they allowed US to be based there despite years of protests by the Okinawans

 

when WWII ended, the leaders of the allies (USA, UK, Russia, China) met at Cairo to discuss the future of Japan and the independence of the various countries that were formerly occupied by Japan...

the only country they missed out was Okinawa (or Ryukyu)

 

yes,okinawa belongs to the prc previously,and also the whole korea peninsular.

 

[Scion]

  On 3/28/2012 at 12:51 AM, Unidentified said:

yes,okinawa belongs to the prc previously,and also the whole korea peninsular.

 

Okinawa was an independent kingdom for centuries

it paid tributes to Ming and Qing Dynasty, as well as the Japan

 

btw PRC only exists since 1949

 

Korea peninsular was conquered by the Mongols

Tang Dynasty never managed to rule Korea, so dunno why you said that

Edited March 28, 2012 by Scion

[Vulcann]

The only positive thing that came out of WWII in Singapore context was that it made us realized we could not rely on our colonial masters for survival when the sh!t hits the fan and that we had to determine our own fate one way or another.

 

I would think the utterly inhuman 3 years and 8 months of painful experience hastened the pace leading to our ultimate independence.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Vulcann

[Neutralsg]

  On 3/27/2012 at 6:55 AM, Ahtong said:

Uncle!

 

You should be about the same age as my dad

Perhaps;-) If affirmative, you should be in your 30s.

Have a nice day and great week!

[Ahtong]

  On 3/28/2012 at 6:47 AM, Vulcann said:

The only positive thing that came out of WWII in Singapore context was that it made us realized we could not rely on our colonial masters for survival when the sh!t hits the fan and that we had to determine our own fate one way or another.

 

I would think the utterly inhuman 3 years and 8 months of painful experience hastened the pace leading to our ultimate independence.

 

I think that lesson has been forgotten.

[Neutralsg]

  On 3/28/2012 at 6:47 AM, Vulcann said:

The only positive thing that came out of WWII in Singapore context was that it made us realized we could not rely on our colonial masters for survival when the sh!t hits the fan and that we had to determine our own fate one way or another.

 

I would think the utterly inhuman 3 years and 8 months of painful experience hastened the pace leading to our ultimate independence.

In today's context, war as a result of ambition no longer seem realistic. If any, it is likely to be caused by the tenacity for survival than ambition for e.g. the tension between North Korea and the rest. Best is to have dialogue for peace to continue without disruption.

Nevertheless, while it is always good to be prepared; it can be questionable to overspend on defense.

[2009k]

  On 3/28/2012 at 6:47 AM, Vulcann said:

The only positive thing that came out of WWII in Singapore context was that it made us realized we could not rely on our colonial masters for survival when the sh!t hits the fan and that we had to determine our own fate one way or another.

 

I would think the utterly inhuman 3 years and 8 months of painful experience hastened the pace leading to our ultimate independence.

 

Humans have short memory, especially Singaporeans! We went from colonial slavery to dynasty lower mortals. Cheers to daft-ness and repentance.

[RadX]

  On 3/28/2012 at 9:38 AM, 2009k said:

Humans have short memory, especially Singaporeans! We went from colonial slavery to dynasty lower mortals. Cheers to daft-ness and repentance.

 

er...i can stil lremember when i cursed my teacher in sec 2, and her hubby and son died the following year....sadly, i am the kind, i forgive but NEVER forget!

[Vulcann]

  On 3/28/2012 at 8:49 AM, Neutralsg said:

In today's context, war as a result of ambition no longer seem realistic. If any, it is likely to be caused by the tenacity for survival than ambition for e.g. the tension between North Korea and the rest. Best is to have dialogue for peace to continue without disruption.

Nevertheless, while it is always good to be prepared; it can be questionable to overspend on defense.

 

Agree. Most of the countries are more interested in economic achievements than making plans to 打打杀杀 go invading their neighbours like during ancient times.

 

But like you said, how much is enough to maintain a efficient and credible defence force...