Why does japan deny the atrocities during ww2?
Actually, the official line is that the atrocities happened. The western media does often misreport the situation in Japan, but then again, there is actually a situation to report. The history text book issue in reality is that one text book on a large approved list of textbooks plays down issues like Nanking. Schools are not obliged to use that book. The controversy is that it is possible to choose it. The apology issue is tied up with compensation matters, particularly in the case of Korea. That doesn’t excuse the Japanese government (read further and you’ll know what I think of them) but it’s the result of lousy journalism if you think the Japanese haven’t admitted atrocities. The deeper issue is not reported much: up until the 1970s there was little denial at all of atrocities committed by the Japanese, and a lot was taught in schools. What has happened recently is that a new generation of right-wing (mainly Liberal Democratic Party) politicians too young to have fought in any war
