only those who suffered, or their loved ones did, at the hands of the Japanese, are entitled to forgive. The rest of us must look back in horror at what was done in those years, and never forget. For those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.
an exceedingly difficult task to reconcile today. It is certainly idle and presumptuous in this context, to talk about forgiveness being accorded by someone not a victim of atrocities . It is wrong to ascribe any reaction or sentiment to circumstances however macabre in a way that implies the grief is being borne by proxy. In other words, and more broadly, never presume to believe you are 'entitled' to a judgemental viewpoint simply because you are appalled, or conversely over-joyed. Neutrality does not necessarily translate into indifference. Our world is full enough of people mouthing off every day as though their opinions are valid, well-founded and worthy of close attention. Pigs-arse. (I am probably just as guilty , considering the drift of this post.)