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Beyond “Dissatisfaction” and “Apology Fatigue”: Four Types of J apanese Official Apology
Author(s) -
Chun Jahyun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pacific focus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.172
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1976-5118
pISSN - 1225-4657
DOI - 10.1111/pafo.12045
Subject(s) - sincerity , action (physics) , social psychology , politics , government (linguistics) , categorization , psychology , political science , law , epistemology , philosophy , linguistics , physics , quantum mechanics
This study critically assesses whether J apan has fully and sincerely apologized to its neighbors for many of its actions during W orld W ar II . Existing studies frequently assume that J apan has not provided such an apology. As a result, studies have provided explanations for this, but have not considered the form required of such an apology. This article, therefore, provides a fourfold analytical categorization of J apan's diplomatic apologies. The article reveals that not only has the J apanese government made a number of apologies, but they have varied in their sincerity and political purpose. This was ascertained by evaluating whether an apology was specific – resulting in a sincere acknowledgment of an event – and whether there were specific consequences – such as an action or some form of reparation. The results provide useful insights into the form that sincere and insincere apologies have taken, with the aim of undermining the cyclical “apology debate.”