JAPANESE GENERAL, CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCES, JUSTIFIES JAPAN’S INVASIONS DURING WWII

COMMENTARY ARCHIVES, 9 Nov 2008

Satoshi Ashikaga

Dear Antonio,
 
Please find attached the English translation of an essay written by General Toshio Tamogami, chief general of the Air Self-Defense Forces (ASDF) of Japan, for which he received the first prize in an essay contest.  In it he justifies Japan’s invasions during WWII.  His view became a political scandal.   Both China and S. Korea expressed their concerns.  The Japanese Prime Minister decided to fire the general on 31 October 2008 and his cabinet approved the decision on the next day, 1 November 2008.
 
As you may know (or needless to say), Japan invaded Asian countries during the Pacific War (that was engaged almost in the same period of World War II).  While WWII was going on in Europe, the Pacific War was going on in Asia.  Due to Japan’s invasion, Asian peoples (especially Eastern Asians and South-Eastern Asians) suffered seriously. During that period Japan committed extraordinary crimes against humanity.  Relatives of the victims are still suffering, more than 63 years after the war.  One of the reasons that the relation between Japan and its neighboring countries (such as China and S. Korea/N. Korea) remains tense is because of Japan’s invasions.  
 
For more details on Japan’s crimes against humanity from 1930 to 1945, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_atrocities and http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YoW2WYdOsvg   

Neo-Nazi supporters exist in Germany (and in other countries), but many of them are just skinheads or hooligans. Likewise, some Japanese justify Japan’s invasions during and before the war.  But in Japan they are not just hooligans or skinheads.  Many of them are senior ranking public officials in power.  This time, the person is the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Air Force!  This is why his essay became a political/diplomatic problem.  
 
From the above explanation, I believe that you understand the reason that I am sending you the English translation of his essay.
 
With peace and best regards,
 
Satoshi Ashikaga

THE ARTICLE BY TOSHIO TAMOGAMI (pdf):
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This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 9 Nov 2008.

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