JAPANESE—A MODEL OF PEACE
Japan stands as a model of peace. In Hiroshima, a city once devastated, they established the ‘Peace Museum’ as a symbol of reconciliation. By acknowledging their mistakes, they fostered a spirit of harmony and understanding.
In August 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, causing unprecedented devastation. However, the Japanese did not harbour anger toward the Americans, as they understood that the action was not unprovoked; it was a response to Japan’s aggressive actions. This realistic attitude has been instrumental in Japan’s extraordinary progress in the modern era.
The U.S. bombed two major industrial cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reducing them to rubble within minutes. Both towns, sprawling over ten miles each, were transformed into vast wastelands, with all living beings, trees, and structures obliterated. Over 150,000 people died, with 10,000 instantly vaporised. Today, both cities have been magnificently rebuilt, featuring wide roads, spacious homes, parks, and gardens, creating a completely new landscape. Only a single damaged building remains as a reminder of the devastation these cities endured during World War II.
Khushwant Singh, the editor of The Hindustan Times (New Delhi), visited Japan and found something remarkable. While the rest of the world has used the Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents as a propaganda tool against America, the Japanese themselves do not hold resentment over these events. When Singh asked his Japanese companion about it, he received an unexpected response delivered in a calm tone:
“We hit them first at Pearl Harbor, killing many of them. They warned us of what they were going to do, but we thought they were only bluffing. They retaliated openly and fairly, with no deception. Once, we were adversaries; now, we are friends.” (Hindustan Times, April 4, 1981)
In Hiroshima, a memorial for the victims of the atomic bomb has been established, known as the Peace Museum, which displays images of the devastation caused by war. Every year, approximately seven million Japanese visit Hiroshima to witness these reminders. Conversations reveal that, although some Japanese still harbour resentment against America, they do not express it in their actions. Instead, they veil these feelings under a mantle of realism.
This pragmatic attitude enabled Japan to make remarkable progress within a short period following the war. Despite the lack of natural resources like oil and mineral mines and the need to import most raw materials, Japan today dominates global markets with the high quality of its products. This resilience and adaptability illustrate Japan’s ability to look past grievances and focus on constructive goals.
Mr. Khushwant Singh inquired about the legal profession in Japan. He was informed that law practice in Japan is not as lucrative, primarily because when disputes arise, people prefer resolving them through mutual discussion rather than taking them to court. When individuals are willing to acknowledge their mistakes, conflicts rarely escalate. Often, conflicts persist because one person places one-sided blame on another, provoking stubbornness in response and causing the issue to grow. However, when one party admits their mistake, it creates a sense of conciliation in the other, leading to a swift resolution.
This realistic approach has provided Japan with a significant advantage: trust among its people. In countries like India, business agreements and correspondence typically require experts skilled in using precise language that adheres to legal standards. However, the Japanese do not waste time drafting such detailed documents. In the United States, there are around 50,000 lawyers, whereas in Japan, there are only about 11,000, and the demand for legal experts is minimal.
Most Japanese business institutions rely on verbal agreements. While this practice initially prevailed only within Japan, foreign traders now also trust that a Japanese businessperson’s word is reliable. The benefit of freedom from legal constraints is that work proceeds swiftly, without unnecessary formalities impeding efficiency.
This approach has fostered unity among the Japanese, which is undoubtedly their greatest strength. A Japanese culture expert summarized Japan’s success in these words: “Never quarrelling amongst themselves, always making everything together.” In other words, “never fighting among themselves, always working together.” (Hindustan Times, April 4, 1981).
