The Museum of American Armor on Long Island observed the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II this week, creating what is an extraordinary, and perhaps historic, milestone.
Against a backdrop of World War II armor, three Shinto priests arrived from Japan, where they were joined by a local rabbi and priest to offer prayers and reflection on a war in the Pacific that took the lives of millions and was characterized by a ferocity that even now shakes one's soul.
Yet the underlying message at the Armor Museum's event was the fact that two nations, once bitter enemies that gave no quarter, are now, 80 years later, staunch allies in the defense of democracy.
The anniversary comes at a time when Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba did something quite extraordinary for his nation. According to Japan's daily Asahi Shimbun, he invoked the word "remorse" in remarks observing this 80th anniversary.
Ishiba apparently decided this would be the appropriate year to make a tour of Pacific battlegrounds, including the Philippines, which suffered from brutal Japanese occupation. He also visited Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where approximately 22,000 Japanese soldiers were killed on Iwo Jima and at least 100,000 on Okinawa. Historians say another 100,000 civilians also died on the larger island. Nearly 10,000 U.S. Marines died fighting on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The death toll for American forces had we invaded Japan was estimated to be over a million.
The Asahi Shimbun report adds:
"Prior to Japan's Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, younger elite bureaucrats, military officers and businessmen took part in a simulation exercise to gauge possible outcomes if Japan declared war against the United States.
"The conclusion was that defeat was inevitable, but that did not stop the top brass from blindly forging ahead.
"Ishiba told his associates, 'Such a tragedy will arise if civilian control over the military is insufficient.'"
For China, the Japanese signing the surrender document on the deck of the American battleship USS Missouri 80 years ago carries a different message.
Communist leadership is understandably focused on Japanese aggression and war crimes that killed as many as 20 million Chinese during World War II. However, the regime's leaders are seeking to minimize the role of the United States and are recasting victory as one solely secured by China and the Soviet Union.
What cynical irony, given the considerable sacrifices this nation played in supporting Chinese forces fighting the Japanese and the fact that Washington imposed strict sanctions on Japan prior to Pearl Harbor exactly because Japan was the ruthless aggressor in China. Also being ignored is the Soviet Union's effort in the closing days of the conflict to conquer occupied parts of China and claim it as their own.
Try as they might, Beijing today cannot alter the history of yesteryear. They should acknowledge that they proudly stood with their other allies on the deck of the Missouri back then as the Japanese signed the documents of surrender as directed by General Douglas MacArthur and maybe – just maybe – offer a formal note of grateful thanks to the families of those U.S. Marines, as well as Navy and Army personnel, who died liberating the Pacific.
Lawrence Kadish serves on the Board of Governors of Gatestone Institute.
