If any of you have been keeping up with the Japanese and their current events, then you know of the controversial visits of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Japanese shrine of the war dead. What is controversial about it, you may ask. China and North Korea continue to express their opinion that Japan owes war reparations and apologies for the atrocities committed by Japanese troops during and before World War II. Koizumi was quoted by Reuters to say, in response to his visit to the shrine on New Year's Day:

"One does not comment about another country's respect of its history, traditions or customs"

Okay. Now what's wrong with this picture? Nobody denies the fact that Japan's troops were guilty of atrocities, such as the Rape of Nanking, and the Bataan Death March. And Koizumi most certainly doesn't revel in the fact that those horrible deeds sit on the shoulders of the Japanese. Junichiro simply is paying his respects to the people that laid their lives down for the sake of their nation.

But China and North Korea, of all people, are infuriated with the deed of visiting the shrine of the war dead. I'm personally extremely sick and tired of the political manipulations of the Chinese. The nation who slaughtered its citizens, and suppressed fundamental human rights, and continues to do so until this day. And right behind them is North Korea, the land of the starving and destitute, ruled by a virtual dictatorship, and responsible for executions and war itself. Need I remind you that during the Korean War, the Chinese fought hand in hand with the communist North Korea?

There are no winners here, but common sense tells me that if you are as guilty as your neighbor, then I think you both should repent instead of point that finger. At least Japan has made significant leaps and bounds to rejoin the global community as a prosperous and faithful nation, committed to many wonderful achievements. Meanwhile China has been sluggish and slow, unless they are faced with uprisings, and then they are swift and lethal in jailing and snuffing out insubordination. North Korea? A joke that isn't funny, considering the hundreds of thousands that struggle to survive, while their leaders play the bluffing game and stifle the economy.

So, I say if Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi wants to honor the war dead, then leave him be. At least he has the honor to remember the past and to pray for peace.