When the Japanese occupied Malaysia, they would kill and torture innocent civilians, turning women and girls into 'comfort women'. Many were brutally raped and murdered casually, publicly and and as leisurely. They would take a pregnant woman and force her to drink soap water, then balance a plank of wood over her belly and play the see-saw on it. Did it make my blood boil just hearing about it? Of course, it did. Could I forget? Of course, not.
My grandfather would rant on and on for many years -- how and what they did, what he saw. Horrific first-person stories. They were disgusting. Did listening to those stories create resentment, hate and bitterness in my heart? Yes, they did.
Every grandparent had their fair share of stories, so did every war-torn country affected: Korea, China, Malaysia, even America -- the thought of Pearl Harbour still sends chills up our spine. I remember seeing an elderly Chinese woman who demanded a public apology from a Japanese ambassador for using her as a comfort woman for so many years -- he refused. Yes, he refused to apologise. Why should he? He never committed those crimes -- he was probably not even related to any of those who did. He could have easily represented Japan and apologized being an ambassador himself, but he refused. He probably didn't want to be associated with those who did those crimes. Who would?
So it made me wonder -- what difference would it make if he did? Closure? Words are just words. It cannot change the past. What about making her feel better? Would it, really? Can she feel good about herself after?
Today, Japan is one of the most highly respectable countries. I still buy Toyota cars. I think the Toyota is the most reliable car brand hands down and will probably ever only buy a Toyota. I love a good sashimi with wasabi. My own husband worked as a Teppanyaki chef and sushi chef for years. I love Japanese anime. I think Japanese RPGs totally revolutionised what gaming could be. I personally travelled to Japan when I was eleven.
I don't demand a public apology or sympathy. I don't try to stir up hate and resentment against the Japanese in my children's hearts. I don't hold it against the Japan of today. We don't require them to acknowledge what they did, not once, and especially not on a regular basis like at the opening of every formal meeting of a private company or even a public one. None of those countries seek to do any of these things anymore. We have all got on with life. And that's the way Australia needs to get on with life. In fact, if the Japanese ever invaded Australia at any point, our history would be very different and we'd be ranting about very different things. They probably wouldn't be teaching the Japanese language in schools anymore. Maybe that's why Japan didn't invade Australia -- up till today, Australia would still be demanding a public apology from Japan that would never be granted. Join the queue..
The world has moved on. Sadly, Australia is clinging on to the past and resenting the living as well as the dead. There is no future in the past, or sympathy from the dead. Give it up. Most, if not all of those people who did those horrific war crimes have died. And if they haven't, go approach them about it but let the rest of Australia be.
Comments