August 15th 1945. The war was ended between Japan and the US. And today marks 65th anniversary. Rather I feel grateful or happy that I didn't live at that time, I get overwhelmed by painful moments people had to endure at that time whenever I think of this day. Especially after I spent 19 years of my life in the country once was their enemy, I just can't stop wishing that the war never happened and wishing that they got to meet great people in the US like I got to. Like my grandmother's brother. He injured his leg and could no longer walk. So he gave his food and water to his fellow soldier and asked "Give me your grenade as exchange". And as his unit was leaving they heard a explosion behind - he committed suicide. It really breaks my heart that he had to live in that time.
As the long time goes by, some of the younger generation in Japan doesn't even realize that US and Japan once fought war. It's pretty frightening. I am not preaching the grudge to hold, but rather I'm preaching how we can be friend with whom we thought we could never reconcile.
I didn't think people at that time died in vain. Because of this harsh, harsh consequence we(Japanese) faced, we learned. As a result, we now have an article in our constitution no other countries in the world has - "Article 9: Prohibition of an act of war by the state". Because of it, we have been having war less time ever since.
However, this article, too, is losing its intention. We were never able to send any "self defense force" outside of the country. But the congress twisted the word around to make sending the troops to abroad "constitutional". So far the troops have been sent to Cambodia and Iraq.
Not to make people died in vain, everybody(ordinary citizen and the government) really need to revisit what we went through 65 years ago not to make same mistake. Also, this is to show the example to the world that "enemy can be friend".
AND Some can turn into a Masshole like I am if they see me as an example. :)
