While I do sympathize with their feelings, in essence those two veterans were damning the grandchildren of the people who carried out the Pearl Harbor attacks. I like to think that we in the United States do not hold children accountable for the actions of their parents or grandparents. Because of the conversation that I could not help from hearing, I am compelled to point out to others who might share a similar understanding that Imperial Japan and modern Japan have practically nothing in common politically or socially. From the bowels of World War II rose a great and long-standing friendship between Japan and the United States. To this day Japan is one of America’s closest allies in Asia.
Perhaps if I lost a loved one in Pearl Harbor, or fought in it, I might feel justified in holding a grudge, even an unreasonable one. I have an enormous amount of respect for all American war vets and realize that without the sacrifices of these heroes, I would be living under a different government today. However, it is important for everyone to understand that today’s Japan is not yesterday’s enemy.
Please do whatever you can to help the thousands of human beings affected by the recent disaster in Japan. Thank you.
