The Day World War II Ended

When I was a primary school student, I wanted to study English and see Japan’s history from different perspectives. It was my history teacher at a cramming school that told me there is more than one way to look at the world history. I told you about this story last week.

So, I went to Discovery Place last weekend and saw a 3D movie of “D-Day” at the IMAX theater. The movie ended with narration saying “the Empire of Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945 and the World War II came to an end”, and I thought “Oh”.

In Japan, we consider the World War II ended on August 15, 1945. Japanese government notified the Allies on August 14 that Japan had agreed to make an unconditional surrender and accept the Potsdam Declaration. Emperor Hirohito gave a recorded radio address across the Empire on August 15 and announced the surrender of Japan. Emperor had been treated as a living god, and it was a highly exceptional and extraordinary thing that, although the speech was recorded, Emperor addressed directly to the nation. Since the military regime had been controlled the media, ordinary Japanese people did not know the real war situation and were told to fight for the country to the last. As the government accepted to surrender, there was no way other than asking Emperor to speak to the nation to make the whole nation convinced of the defeat. At noon of a very hot sunny day, people sat square on the ground, bowed their heads and listened to the radio. The World War II ended in Japan on August 15. Japan chose the date to remember the end of the World War II and holds a national event each year to remember the war dead and wish for world peace. On September 2, 1945, Japanese foreign affairs minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the US Navy battleship USS Missouri. By the way, when Japanese people say “the recent war”, it generally refers to the World War II.

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Japanese hostages held by the Islamic State

One of the two Japanese hostages held by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has reportedly been killed. IS posted a new video clip on the internet on Saturday, a day after the 72-hour deadline passed for a $200m ransom that was demanded by IS to release the two Japanese hostages. The video shows an image of Kenji Goto, a 47-year-old freelance journalist, holding a photo of decapitated head and body of the other hostage, HarunaYukawa. A voice claiming to be Goto said Yukawa has been killed. He also said that the militants are no longer seeking a ransom but the release of a female prisoner held in Jordan for the safety of Goto. Yukawa is a military maniac and runs a private military company. He travelled to Syria on business, captured by IS and disappeared in Syria last August.

I heard the audio from the video clip in a Japanese news program. Goto spoke in English slowly and clearly. His voice was amazingly firm and steady for a person in the custody of a terrorist group and under the threat of death. Goto’s mother, Junko Ishido, spoke at a press conference on Friday. She appealed tearfully that Goto was working for the children in the area on humanitarian grounds and is not a part of any military acts. I sincerely hope Goto to be rescued by some means or other.

Japan’s Prime Minister Abe seems to be using this case as an opportunity to get closer the other great powers. Rather than taking actions to rescue the hostages, he has been appealing to the world that Japan fights against the terrorists together with the US and the other countries. Abe says repeatedly that Japan is now a target of terrorist attacks but we do not give in to terrorism. Because of the Japanese constitution prohibiting any military act as a means to settle disputes, Japan cannot be a part of any military intervention lead by the US or the UN. Abe has been in a dilemma since he took the administration that Japan cannot be a US military alliance. It is criticized that Abe’s performance may make Goto’s situation worse.

It is naturally a country’s responsibility to protect the citizens, and that the government should do everything possible to save the hostage’s life. In Japan, however, there is a debate about the two men’s “self-responsibility” of going to the area of conflict. Some people claim that the two men should take the consequences themselves because they went to the dangerous area at “their own risk”. Those people say that the Japanese government should not spend tax payers’ money on rescuing the reckless men. Although this debate is rather extreme, their thoughts originally come from Japanese morality derived from Confucianism. Japanese people are taught not to cause a trouble to the others, and we believe it is a sin to create disorder in the community. Japan, unlike the US or the other countries, does not have real armed forces, a good intelligence organization, or political negotiation power. We are not protected in the same way as an American journalist and we are more vulnerable to military threats. Once anyone is taken as hostage in the area of conflict, one person’s life has a great impact on the country’s political situation. I am concerned if more Japanese people follow suit and cause an unnecessary trouble to the country as well as to the sensitive regional situation.

Travel Destination

I recommend you to spend your next holiday in Tuscany, Italy. You would start from Florence, stay at a winery in Arrezo, and also visit San Gimignano and Assisi. Each place in Italy, even within a region of Tuscany, has different history, different architectural style, and different specialties. Besides, Tuscan people are as friendly as the people in the South. You will appreciate Tuscan hospitality while you enjoy the world’s finest art and cuisine at the heart of Italy.

Florence is known as “the city of lilies” (or “the city of flowers”). Old streets of the beautiful city leave a remnant of medieval days. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and it is an art historian’s dream. You can never stay long enough to visit all the museums and art galleries, but should not miss David di Michelangelo at Galleria dell'Accademia museum. Michelangelo’s masterpiece holds a tremendous power. The little historic city of San Gimignano, “the city of beautiful towers”, is only an hour away from Florence by train, if you would like a change of pace. You can’t go wrong with any restaurant in Florence. Tuscan cuisine is simple and dynamic, and is famous for mellow cheeses and grilled meats. If you would like to have a meal a little lighter than a big chunk of beef and pork, Casseruola alla fiorentina (Florentine casserole: pasta covered with a cream sauce of spinach and mushroom grilled in a casserole) will be just right for ladies.

The highlight of your holiday will be a stay at a winery in Arrezo. The winery I recommend is a twenty minutes’ walk from the downtown. You will stay at a cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, and can choose to have dinner at the club house or at your cottage by yourselves. The winery offers a winery tour and wine tasting. There is a pool in the middle of the vineyard, where you can sit relaxed on a deck chair reading or chatting with the other guests. Breakfast is served at the club house. The owner family bakes different home-made pies and cakes every morning, and it is fun to have conversation with the friendly Italian family over a cup of espresso. The city of Arrezo has a long history which goes as far back as the 4th century BC. It is a history city and also a filming location of Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful. Based in Arrezo, you can make a day trip to see the beautiful sunset at Lake Trasimeno.

Assisi is one the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is the birthplace of Italy's patron saint, St. Francis. The old downtown of Assisi is on top of the hill of olive grove. The cathedral constructed in the 13th century, Basilica di San Francesco, is located on the northwest slope of the city. Its upper part is built in Gothic style and the lower part is Romanesque, and the interior walls are covered by precious frescoes. If you would like to see the full view of the city, go to Rocca Maggiore, the grand castle fortress of the 12th century. It overlooks the city of Assisi and surrounding countryside, and reminds us how important it was as a military base. Black truffles strangozzi pasta is the specialty of Assisi and keeps the full flavor and aroma of local Umbrian forest.

Florence, San Gimignano and Assisi are all registered as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. With Arrezo added to your itinerary, you will be able to explore fine art, historical monuments, Tuscan cuisine and wine altogether in two weeks. I am sure it will be a fulfilling and memorable holiday for you.