Japanese Apology

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4471495.stm

It does goes some way and the gesture during the Asia-Africa summit is quite significant. The Japanese, if they want to be accepted as a democracy and fair country must address their part in the war. They must follow the German lead on this but there are cultural and institutional problems in place, still that is no excuse. The Germans has done their penance and while they must not forget their part in the war, one can not keep beating them with it. Japan on the other hand, has not done enough and the longer they keep this up, the harder it will be for them. Personally, the Japanese deserved everything they got from the Allies including the two atomic bombs. Horrible as that may sound.

To be utterly cynical: it is interesting to note that the Chinese government is allowing its citizen's to protest against the Japanese position but it clamps down viciously on domestic protests against corruption, environmental destruction and job losses. There has been a number of protests in the regions that the Chinese government has been keeping quiet - it needs a safety valve to allow Chinese citizens to vent out frustrations - what better than the Japanese position?