Japan, China still an apology apart

Prime Minister Hashimoto headed for Beijing last week with high hopes, tempered by a realistic outlook. He clearly wanted to warm the always shaky relations between Japan and China, but realized his ambition rested on shaky foundations. In short, Mr. Hashimoto was ready for appeasement with the Chinese in order to start the 21st century on a new diplomatic footing. But he remained tied, as if by an invisible hand, to the maddening Japanese refusal even to try to atone for their former violence. His visit was to mark the 25th anniversary of Japan-China diplomatic relations. It had higher ambitions, but failed to achieve them.

It is not surprising that China has strong reservations about forgetting the past. Many Chinese survivors of Japanese aggression are still alive. Each August, Chinese celebrate their victory over Japan, not the end of World War II. Not only the Beijing government, but Chinese worldwide, remember that an estimated 13 million died during the Japanese attacks and occupation. Like the Jews, they vow "never again".

Every small apology and admission of atrocious behavior committed by their nation must be pulled from Japanese leaders and citizens. Fifty-two years after the defeat of the military regime, the Japanese continue to resist both an apology and a soul-searching examination of their nation's actions. A new political era is taking shape in China. With the death of Deng Xiaoping, the new Jiang Zemin-Li Peng administration seems prepared to hear a full apology from Mr. Hashimoto. But the Japanese leader, who last week was affirmed as Prime Minister for at least another two years, is unwilling -- and, to be fair, politically unable -- to give it. The communist leadership, and many Chinese, will not proceed to a new diplomatic outlook without it.

-- The Bangkok Post