Japan’s Apologies: the Cognitive Gap and Dilemma between China and Japan over Unresolved Problems of World War II

• Main Authors: Hui-ru Liang, 梁慧如
• Other Authors: Hao Yeh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/34734007813576601017

碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 政治學所 === 97 === After World War II ended without the resolution of certain problems, Japan still is not trusted by other Asian countries. The problems affect co-operative relations. The Japanese government’s apologies are considered to still not be enough. Old age is claiming survivors of the war before their demands for justice are being satisfied making it all the more urgent to resolve this situation. What Japan and and other involved nations do will affect regional relations in Asia and how future generations view truth and history. Legally Japan occupies a strong position. If this were only a legal issue, Japan and other Asian nations, particularly China and South Korea couldn''t become involved. However it is not solely a legal matter: it is also a moral and political matter. I intend to analyse this issue from a moral and political aspect. This thesis will use Japan and China as examples and apply Nick Smith''s theory to their still-unresolved issues from the end of World War II. We can hopefully better understand why China and Japan cannot resolve their issues in this way. This thesis can also examine Japan''s apologies according to Smith''s theory, and formulate a possibly acceptable solution. In conclusion, though Japan has publicly apologized to its war victims, the apologies have not been seen as being sufficient and Japan should be doing more to compensate these victims. However it is not a one-sided situation. China''s government has a part in helping to achieve resolution.