The currency pictured below it is a 10 Peso bill called 'scrip' that the Japanese Government used as currency while it occupied the Philippine Islands during World War II. It helped show the Filipino people just who was in charge.
When applying to the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Programme, I was asked why I wanted to go to Japan. I answered that history is always written by the winners, and I wanted to see if I could talk to any of the Japanese folk about WWII – to get their take on things.
The first thing one realizes when traveling around Asia, is that Japan is not well-liked. Memories die hard. Japan utilized an expansionist policy in the 1930s and invaded quite a few countries – hence the resentment even 50 years after the fact, as someone always knew someone who was killed in said invasion.
When traveling to countries like Korea, Saipan or Thailand – when someone asked me where I was from, it wasn’t prudent to say “Japan” even though I was very proud of my adopted country. No, the correct way to answer it was “Canada.” For those traveling anywhere in the world, it’s also a preferred way of traveling safely.
At some point in time when I purchase a new scanner, I will share with you a photo album I picked up at a ‘garage sale’ in Japan – it’s a collection of photos from the 1930s, some of which show Japan’s expansionism in action.
People in Thailand et al, really maintained a hate-on for the Japanese to the point that they would begin to rave. It would always be about how Japan had tried to exterminate their people, and how even in defeat, they failed to apologize for their mistakes.
I talked by Shibata-sensei (and English teacher at Ohtawara Junior High School) about Japan and WWII – he said it’s NOT something that is taught in the schools, because it’s an embarrassing part of their history – one they all wish had never happened.
I can understand that, but failing to learn from one’s mistakes can doom you to repeat them.
My downstairs neighbour – who also runs the variety store directly below his place (and mine) was 72 years old in 1990 and was a soldier in Japan’s Imperial Army during the war.
Over a couple of bottles of rice wine (sake), he opened up to me through his 30-year-old son who acted as translator. I’ll give a better blog description of our party another time.
He said he was stationed in the Philippines, and while he surely did shoot at the enemy (Philippine soldiers), he says he has no idea if he actually hit anyone.
Acknowledging that the Emperor was akin to a god for the Japanese people back then, he and the rest of the soldiers blindly followed orders to attack others—even if he, himself, thought it was strange.
Strange - because these countries had never proved to be an enemy of Japan, so why should we kill them? While surely others thought the same way, it was never discussed. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, ‘The nail that stands up, gets hammered down.’
So he kept his mouth shut.
He told me in slurred Japanese that he and his unit had been stuck on one of the Philippine Islands for about four months – it was hot, sticky, bugs everywhere, snipers, dysentery and more. He had been a farmer before having to join the Army.
When the American soldiers poured onto the island to mount a counter-offensive to rid the land of the Japanese soldiers, the Imperial Japanese Army was only too happy to capitulate. He said they had long ago run out of proper food, they were all sick, and wanted to go home. They were all quite happy to be captured by the Americans because they knew they would be treated well.
I know, I know… the Japanese are infamous for their treatment of prisoners (Bridge Over The River Kwai – which I visited and have photos of – later) and of women – called comfort women, non-Japanese who were used as sex objects for the military… definitely not part of the Geneva Convention codes. And that’s just two examples – I’m sure there’s more.
On August 15, 2009, Japan‘s Prime Minister Taro Aso expressed deep regret over the suffering Japan caused on Asian countries during WWII. You can read an account of it HERE.
Japan to its credit does not have an airforce, navy or army – it dissolved its Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy after WWII and replaced it with the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1954.
It’s nice that the Japanese regret their actions in the war, but to be honest, if they really want to do the right thing, they need to apologize for their actions. It may not sound like a great distinction – but for those who were there, it’s an important distinction.
War IS hell. It’s not just a cliché. Not every boy who joins the army comes out a man. Not every soldier kills. Not everyone wants to be involved.
Still, on Remembrance Day (November 11) here in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, it’s a day to reflect and to thank whatever god you choose to pray to that you or your ancestors will not need a poppy to be remembered.
Somewhere - lest we forget,
Andrew Joseph
PS – Here’s a song about today’s title: HERE by War sung by Eric Burden, former lead singer of The Animals.
PPS - Special thanks to my friend Janice Bishop for helping out with the scanning.
