日中関係

Akashi_san,

It is perfectly OK for you to talk to me in Japanese. It's just that I'm too much of a beginner in Japanese and there are many things I don't know how to express in Japanese. I hope I can improve my Japanese as I get more timelater.

History is indeed a major problem in relations between China and Japan. Although you are one who wants Japanese people to learn its past, I think you will encounter much pressure from the majority of the Japanese people. As I said before, a country'seducation system is designed so that it serves the interests of the nation. The next question which follows will natually be "What are the interests of the nation?" There can be several situations (and maybe more):

1) To create a generation which islargely "indifferent" of the past and "confident" of the future. If this is the case, "diluting" the history issue will be feasible. The government obviously does not want its kids to keep "reflecting" on Japan's past aggression in Asia.

2) To createa generation that will embrace the national mission of "taking over Asia again." If this is the case, it will be in the government's interest to deny all its past misdeeds and emphasize its "intention to liberate Asia from western influences." Theeducation will largely contain materials that portray other Asian peoples are despisable creatures. (I think that this situation is very unlikely.)

3) To adopt a "getting back into Asia" policy and to admit that the only way it can do it is to face itspast. The government realizes that its country is not accepted by other Asian countries (especially important countries like China and Korea) as a "friend" or "ally," and time is running out. Therefore, it is better to deal with the matter in a "proper"manner earlier.

I think that Japan is currently choosing the first road. I might be wrong. If you think I'm wrong, please don't hesitate to correct me.

Thank you.