ニッポンの新常識 Common Knowledge Revisited(42)

「カミカゼ」は一般市民を標的にはしていない 自爆テロと同一視する報道に嘆息
Kamikaze Did Not Target Civilians; Reports Equating with Suicide Bombers Deplorable
1121-01 
http://www.zakzak.co.jp/society/domestic/news/20151121/dms1511211000003-n1.htm


 On the night of November 13th (local time), a terrorist attack was carried out in Paris, the capital of France. 129 people died, and more than 350 were wounded. We pray for the repose of the souls of those who died and the quick recovery of those wounded.


 Paris has long been a vibrant city symbolizing Western culture. From artists to authors, designers, models, and chefs, the leading figures of Western culture in their formative years aspire to learn in Paris. Modern music and theater may be centered in New York and ballet in Moscow, but overall, Paris is the most revered center of Western culture.


 American author Ernest Hemingway spent time in Paris during his youth. Toward the end of his life, he left the following words: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”


 Paris has a marvelous power to welcome aspiring artists from around the world and inspire and develop them.


 At the same time, Paris has taken the lead in showing to the world that artistry and nationality are not related. Western painters Gogh, Monet, Degas and others left works exhibiting a strong influence from Japanese Ukiyoe, and Damier Canvas and Monogram Canvas patterns by Louis Vuitton were influenced in part by Japanese checkered patterns and family crests.


 The cowardly and base terrorist attacks committed against Paris are the total antithesis of culture and civilization, and as a Westerner, I find them unforgiveable.


 War is a deplorable act of mutual human killing which, unfortunately, the human race is unable to abandon even in this 21st Century.


 The two world wars of the 20th Century were unspeakable tragedies which engulfed multitudes of innocent civilians. For that reason, international society has made efforts to make certain rules so that war will be waged only between formal armed forces who have resolved to take the risk of death.


 Terrorists who indiscriminately attack civilians bring the aspirations of all mankind to naught, and are the enemies of the entire world.


 In reviewing the foreign reports of this attack I found it disappointing that several foreign media sources described the IS suicide bombings as “kamikaze” attacks.


 The kamikaze special attack teams during the Greater East Asia War targeted only the aircraft carriers and battleships, etc. of armed enemy combatants. The nature of their actions has no resemblance to these cowardly and base terrorist attacks.


 Coming across these reports which make it evident that Japan is not well-understood by Westerners made this terrorist attack doubly bitter for me.


中国・韓国との新・歴史戦に勝つ!/悟空出版
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CGS3周年記念講演12/12(土) 豊島公会堂



東京大素読会12/23(水・祝) 明治記念館
1119-06 
 
 

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