The war in the Far East.

This was one of the most moving and inspirational programmes about the Second World War on BBC Four on Tuesday evening Building Burma's Death Railway: Moving Half the Mountain. The BBC had access to picture footage of the terrible experiences so many members of the forces were exposed to. What was so shocking was the contrast between the two national characteristics. I may not be objective so I ask you to watch this programme. From a psychoanalytic point of view the - Japanese in general functioned on 'denial' about what they had done to their Prisoners of War (POW) they appeared broken. The British soldiers on the other hand still retained a high degree of dignity. They spoke openly about their ordeal with humility, they said things like "I feel very lucky". Another said "it was only a blip in my life, it doesn't really matter". One chap in particular said something that was so compassionate about the Japanese and buying a Japanese car. One officer from Japan referred to the difference in their national education systems - in England difference is considered a good thing while in Japan - conformity is highly valued - the Emperor is god. Only recently a Japanese soldier gave himself up after spending the last 70 years in the jungle alone. When asked why he had't handed himself in - he said "he had taken an oath to the Emperor and therefore couldn't do so". I cannot see an British Tommy doing that.
Germany by comparison has done much by way of reparation, to heal the wounds of the last war by openly talking about the terrible atrocities and the rise of Hitler. Why such a difference compared with Japan?