"Eric Takabayashi" <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote in message
news:4173ED34.F4B3E724@yahoo.co.jp...
> Ryan Ginstrom wrote:
> > Anyone with a brain certainly realized what the newspaper reports of
great
> > victories drawing ever closer to Japan meant. Most probably also
realized
> > they were far outmatched by the US; yet popular opinion was heavily in
favor
> > of going to war.
>
> Then the old people I have known who say the Emperor's radio broadcast was
a
> surprise or that they were misled (heaven forbid they considered mass
suicide)
> perhaps lack(ed) more than half a brain. Strangely enough it has not
> handicapped them in the ensuing years as they worked or raised families.

I disagree. I think people knew what was up, but they believed so strongly
that they were right that they believed this had to affect the outcome. IOW,
they were holding onto the hope that a miracle would happen. I bet a lot of
people were *shocked* (as in out of their stupor) when no miracle happened.
But I don't think many people rationally thought they were going to win.

I mean, come on: Every major Japanese city has been razed. You're surviving
on roots. American bombers run daylight bombing raids with impunity. They're
handing out bamboo sticks to kids in preparation for when the allies invade.

And you're surprised when you find out you lost the war?

> By in modern times, I do not necessarily mean they are alive right now, or

Certainly blame can be heaped on many dead Japanese. That doesn't mean the
Japanese people today, collectively or individually, bear responsibility for
WWII.

> So people or organizations sitting on war booty such as national treasures
or
> gold today, or others who have benefited from the war are not responsible?

Blame, no. Reparations, yes.

-- 
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
ryang@gol.com