Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a war anniversary statement in Tokyo on Aug. 14. Abe expressed deep remorse over World War II and said previous national apologies were unshakeable, but emphasised future generations should not have to keep saying sorry. (Toru Yamanaka,AFP/Getty Images)
Re: “ No new WWII apology from Japanese leader Abe; China critical,” July 15 news story.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was correct in pointing out that 80 percent of Japan’s population was born after World War II, and he is justified in saying, “We must not let our children, grandchildren and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologize.” I’m sure this is exactly how many Americans feel about our past policies regarding the treatment of American Indians and the slavery of African-Americans. While all of America’s actions (good and bad) are a part of our history, there is no need for us to repeatedly apologize or feel guilty about events that happened more than 100 years ago.
Jim Malec, Roxborough
This letter was published in the Aug. 19 edition.
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