Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-jp.png "Flag of Japan") | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
Japan’s Chief of Staff for the Air Defence Force Fired
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| Summary |
Japanese Chief of Staff for the Air Defence Force, General Toshio Tamogami, was fired after he published a controversial essay stating that Japan was not an aggressor nation before or during World War II. The statement contradicted one made by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995, in which Murayama expressed regret for the aggression of the Japanese during before and during the war. Tamogami’s statement angered and insulted many neighboring Asian countries like China and Taiwan who have outspokenly criticized Tamogami for his statements.
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| Analysis |
Besides the fact that Tamogami’s statements were indeed false, the mere fact that he would even consider calling Japan a non-aggressor before and during the war insulted and marginalized the many who had lost their lives in the war initiated by Japan. Japan invaded China in 1937 and many Chinese lost their lives fighting the imperialist Japanese long before Pearl Harbor or any Allied nations lost their lives in the fight. The Chinese, Taiwanese, North Korea and South Korea expressed their strong indignation over Tamogami’s statements but did praise Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada for his swift action to remove Tamogami from office.
Japanese expiation for Tamogami’s actions is important for Japanese relations with its neighboring countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswomen Jiang Yu noted that the Chinese have taken notice of the swift action by the Japanese government and relayed the Chinese appreciation for such decision. She expressed the importance for an accurate account and understanding for the Japanese actions before and during World War II were crucial to Sino-Japanese friendly relations in the future. | |
| Perspective |  | Identity |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | November 3, 2008 at 5:02 pm | |
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