日中関係

nabla-san,

Thank you for your reply. Your reply contains a lot of valuable insights. I agree with you on the point that the issue is taken differently on a personal basis and on a national basis. What one thinks and how one thinks does notnecessarily translate to an equivalent way of thinking and action of the government. The two are different so there must be discrepancies in the attitudes and actions between the people and the government. However, although this is the case, it does not meanthat the government has all the right not to apologize for the atrocities committed. However, frankly speaking, I know that it is very difficult for Japanese people to apologize because of the people's attitudes and the stance of the government. I wouldsay that though all Chinese people strongly demand an apology from Japan, we start to realize that it is almost impossible for Japan to apologize because of the large political implications it entails. By saying this, I don't mean that Chinese peopledon't demand an apology, but we just understand the background and possibly reasons for Japan's refusal to apologize.

It is very interesting that you drew some parallel between the Chinese and Korean cases. From what you mentioned, the writtenapology that Japan gave to Korea is tied to mutual interests. In other words, national interests take precedence over anything else and which are certainly the highest priority in the government's agenda. Japan and S. South are under the protection of US,so there is less security conflict between the two nations, and it would be beneficial for both nations to reconciliate rather than being hostile to each other