I read recently in my hometown newspaper that Korean and Chinese officials were upset over Japanese officials visiting the shrine to Japan's war dead.
I know about the Pacific War; my father fought in it. He was a member of an underwater demolition team; they're called SEALs now.
Atrocities committed by the Japanese military are well documented and can not be defended. However, the Japanese people paid the price. Japan's skies were filled with American bombers that dropped the most horrible weapons known to man: firebombs and atomic bombs.
The cities were destroyed and Japan was occupied. My dad fought for his country against young men who fought for theirs. The price was paid.
The Japanese owe no debt. They should go to their shrines and honor their war dead, as we honor our war dead here.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.