American Strategic Deception Bureau

　Next, different countries naturally have different understandings of who this "small group of Japanese militarists" actually includes.

　According to the vast majority of Japanese, this "small group" refers to the war criminals who were sentenced and executed in the Tokyo Trial.

　- Note that even the Japanese right-wingers later had nothing good to say about these war criminals. The main reason was that they believed that they held great power but fought the war so badly, ruining Japan's national destiny. They should have died to atone for their sins, and being hanged on the gallows was the fate these criminals deserved.

　Therefore, even right-wing elements who advocate militarism rarely think that these war criminals do not deserve to die, let alone want to overturn their sentences...

　In the eyes of the post-war Japanese, since those criminals were dead or at least in prison, they were all innocent.

　He even shamelessly put himself in the position of a "victim of war" in order to engage in magic battles and whitewash himself.

　——The people who committed war crimes are the ones who died on the gallows

　, we don’t want to overturn their verdict, so aren’t we all innocent?

　The Holocaust, the biological warfare, the inhumane human experiments... those are all the crimes of war criminals and have nothing to do with us!

　You foreigners are victims of war, and we Japanese who survived are also victims of war. Who is more pitiful?

　In order to mobilize and win over the actually useless Japanese left-wing forces, the socialist camp during the Cold War generally went too far in propaganda and communication, and downplayed other issues in order to emphasize anti-Americanism - internal propaganda was one thing, and external propaganda was another. As a result, the post-war Japanese mistakenly believed that their identity as war victims had been widely recognized by the world, and that the trivial matters of World War II were over.

　Decades later, when Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated and they began to bring up past scores, the Chinese were outraged, and the Japanese felt aggrieved. In their minds, weren't those petty grudges from World War II long forgotten? Didn't you say back then that "a smile can erase all grudges"? So, why is there this "forgiveness can be withdrawn"? So, Japan was being unreasonably bullied by its mainland Chinese neighbor, and so on...

　There is no way around it. The Japanese people's way of thinking is inherently weird, and coupled with the asymmetric information received by people from different countries, the result is naturally deeper misunderstandings.

　From this we can see that it is difficult for people to understand each other, let alone between countries.

　Of course, although Ms. Bing Xin's article seems to have a somewhat incorrect stance according to the views of later generations, it was just an article after all.

　Compared to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's direct appointment of General Okamura Neiji as an advisor, Yan Xishan's shameless practice of hiring Japanese prisoners of war and forming the "Tenth Corps" to fight the civil war at double their pay is truly as pure as a saint or a white lotus. There's really no need to nitpick...

　-

　In short, after finishing the memorial and flower-laying activities in Hiroshima, the "chief mistress team" headed by Marilyn Monroe immediately moved to Nagasaki and participated in the local commemorative activities on August 9, the "8th Anniversary of the Nagasaki Atomic Bombing."

　Well, it was still the same blonde beauty presenting flowers, the same Dr. Kissinger giving a speech, the same boos and jeers...

　There is no way. The negative impact of the US military's brazen nuclear bombing of Cuba in January this year, which killed millions, is too serious.

　Because the United States' soft power in global public opinion is currently at a low point, it has failed to reverse the truth, and is facing criticism from Soviet media outlets and backstabbing from the British and French media. Therefore, even in Japan, few people in the literary and artistic circles and media circles are singing praises for the US nuclear bombing of Cuba.

　Now an American representing the White House comes out and spouts nonsense at the atomic bomb memorial in Japan. It seems like a mockery...

　It is no wonder that the local nuclear bomb survivors in Nagasaki and Hiroshima are full of grievances and indignation.

　Of course, if General LeMay, the "God of Death," were present, the Japanese present might not have dared to fire the missile. However, General LeMay did not travel to western Japan. Instead, he traveled north to Aomori to inspect the US Air Force stationed there, and then to Hokkaido, the "front line of the Cold War" near the Soviet Union.

　At the commemorations in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only people present were the delicate, simpering "American Sweetheart" Marilyn Monroe, and the gentle, soft-spoken, and seemingly unassuming Dr. Kissinger...

　The Japanese, who bully the weak and fear the strong, will naturally take the opportunity to jump around and show a little temper.

　After Dr. Kissinger left the stage amidst boos, a group of physically deformed and disabled atomic bomb survivors took the stage, just as in Hiroshima, to share their ordeal. However, the Nagasaki version featured a "double-hibakusha," a figure who had been struck by two atomic bombs.

　This man, Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi, was on a business trip to Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. He was blown off the road into a field by the blast, which burned all his hair. He finally made it back to Nagasaki. On August 9, while reporting to his superiors, he witnessed the flash of a second nuclear bomb.

　Although he was lucky enough to survive both nuclear explosions, his hair fell out, his body was covered with scars, and his nose was always bleeding.

　However, when this strange man who had been hit by two nuclear bombs was recounting his experience in a hoarse voice, Fili, who was sitting in the audience, was thinking: Could it be that there are people in Cuba who have been hit by three, four, or even seven bombs?

　At this moment, Dr. Kissinger came over and said to Phiri with emotion, "Well, it seems that even though the Pacific War has ended for 17 years, anti-American sentiment is still very strong among the Japanese people!"

　"What are you afraid of? We have soldiers here!" Fili answered without hesitation. Then he thought of something and suddenly became nervous: "Wait, our radioactive wasteland cultural exhibition in Nagasaki is not going to be boycotted by the locals as well, right?"

　"Don't worry, that's absolutely not the case. The exhibition hall over there is already packed with people!"

　Dr. Kissinger said, “The locals also know that no matter what they think, if World War III breaks out, Japan will be hit by nuclear bombs!”

　Chapter 177: Ryukyu Islands without Ryukyu People

　As we all know, although the Japanese after the war are always talking a lot, they are actually very honest physically.

　Although the citizens of Nagasaki protested against the US personnel in various ways and even made unreasonable demands at the atomic bomb explosion commemoration ceremony.

　But they know very well in their hearts

　He could neither drive away the arrogant American troops stationed in Japan, nor prevent his country from becoming a battlefield in World War III, nor could he prevent the Soviet Union from launching nuclear bombs on the Japanese archipelago where a large number of American troops were stationed after the outbreak of World War III.

　Since Japan is destined to be hit by a nuclear bomb anyway, for ordinary Japanese, instead of just venting their emotions by complaining and protesting, it would be better to use that time to learn more professional knowledge so that they can survive from the radioactive doomsday wasteland after the third nuclear bomb.

　Especially those Japanese who unfortunately live near the US military bases in Japan, in addition to worrying about their daughters being harassed by drunk American soldiers, they also have to worry that after a nuclear war breaks out, the whole family will be wiped out along with the American devils next door - there is no shelter at home, which is really worrying!

　Therefore, when Dr. Kissinger was being criticized and ridiculed at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum, it did not affect the Radioactive Wasteland Culture Exhibition held a few streets away. There were crowds of people everywhere, and there was a long queue at the ticket office.

　In addition to viewing models of various civilian underground shelters, understanding the building specifications required to defend against nuclear explosions, and what else should be stockpiled besides canned food to help survive the apocalypse, various American wasteland-themed comics and movies also attracted a large number of viewers.

　You know, in the next few decades, the wasteland apocalypse where civilization collapses after a catastrophe is originally a science fiction theme that is as famous as the interstellar universe.

　Whether in the East or the West, countless creators have conceived a variety of wasteland settings.

　Because their ancestors have lived for generations on a disaster-prone archipelago where earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and blizzards are frequent, and cities are often ravaged by fires, the Japanese have long had a cultural aesthetic tradition of "mono no aware", which advocates the strange contrast between beautiful things and destruction and withering.

　Because of this, the apocalyptic cultural IP with the theme of radiation wasteland just hits their excitement point and makes them obsessed.

　—Magnificent mushroom clouds, explosions that annihilate life, radiation distortion that transforms people into demons, nuclear pollution that turns the world into hell...

　This is simply the tragic aesthetic of "mono no aware" to the extreme!

　Despite their limited knowledge and imagination, the ancient Japanese still painted so many "Purgatory Pictures" in Ukiyo-e.

　The post-war Japanese, who experienced the world war and the Tokyo bombing, naturally have a more intuitive view of the cruel world after the collapse of civilization.

　Although the Japanese economy was just beginning to take off, and Japanese entertainment didn't have much money to squander, it might be okay to make some low-budget costume swordplay films (Japanese martial arts films) and urban romances. However, it was not easy to raise money for large-scale science fiction films.

　——The first wave of Japanese monster special effects movie craze had to wait until five years later!

　But if it's just about making some wasteland-themed comics, then given the current level of the Japanese literary and art world, there's absolutely no problem at all.

　So, during his time in Nagasaki, Firi was visited and interacted with by quite a few Japanese anime creators, most of whom were unknown to later generations. But there was also a classic master like Osamu Tezuka, the author of "Astro Boy," who is still remembered in history.

　Firi also enthusiastically discussed some apocalyptic science fiction settings with them. He specifically discussed how an island nation like Japan, if reduced to a nuclear wasteland, would differ from the American wasteland of the New World. After seeing too many American wastelands filled with desert, one would get bored.

　If we could create some Japanese-style wasteland similar to "New World" to change the taste, it might be a very interesting thing...

　In short, after staying in Nagasaki for more than half a month, Ferry and others followed Marilyn Monroe to the next stop of this journey.

　——For now, it is still a US trusteeship for garrison troops, and it does not yet belong to Japan.

　-

　"The French are willing to die for love, they love duels!

　But I like it when a living man gives me expensive jewelry.

　A kiss on the hand may be hypocritical, but diamonds are a girl's best friend.

　A kiss may be important, but it won't pay your rent or help at the vending machine.

　When girls get older, guys get colder.

　And we will eventually lose our charm and become shriveled or fat.

　This is the only stone that doesn’t change shape. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…”

　At the Futenma U.S. military base in Okinawa, the blonde beauty Marilyn Monroe, dressed in a red dress, sang her famous song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with a smile on her face, which made the Marines below fascinated and applauded.

　However, Fili, who was backstage, bit Marita's ear while listening to the song, and secretly complained about it:

　Diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Hilarious! This friend will cost you a fortune.

　What’s even more ridiculous is that once a diamond is bought, it is difficult to resell it because merchants simply don’t acknowledge the sky-high price of diamonds.

　It's pure IQ tax.

　Therefore, Miss Monroe's famous song was actually just a commercial marketing campaign by jewelers such as De Beers and Tiffany.

　"Hey, you cheapskate, if you can't bear to spend a fortune on a diamond ring for me, just say so!"

　Marita smiled and poked Fili's cheek with her finger. "Why do you have to be so roundabout?"

　"...

　I'm just saying it's a loss to buy diamonds!" Fili said aggrievedly, "I'm still willing to buy gold and silver that can maintain their value..."

　"Well, you mean the gold collar and the silver butt plug, right? Or the hollow ball gag made of gold and silver wire?"

　Marita rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I don't care what you do at home! But at least when I go out, you have to prepare a set of jewelry that I can wear to meet people, right? Oh, and the proposal ring can also be prepared. As you say, pure gold is fine..."

　Seeing that the two people's thoughts were completely on different channels, Fili could only sigh and focus on the surrounding Ryukyu scenery.

　Compared to that southern island tourist destination half a century later, the Ryukyu Islands, now under US military control, are comparatively quieter. There aren't as many tourists, nor are there many impressive buildings. Instead, there are low, one-story houses everywhere, giving it a rural feel.

　The signs on the shopping streets are all in Japanese. Most islanders live in houses and dress in the same style as ordinary Japanese people, with virtually no Ryukyu "national costumes" to be seen. Aside from the subtropical vegetation, the scenery resembles nothing so much as a Japanese fishing village.

　Perhaps because the tourism industry has not yet flourished, Ryukyu, now under the occupation of the US military, lacks more local characteristics than it did decades later.

　——Before coming here, Firi had always been a little confused: Why did the United States return Ryukyu to Japan in the 1970s?

　Can’t it continue to be occupied by the United States for a long time like Guam and Saipan?

　Alternatively, letting Ryukyu become an independent small country would be more convenient for indirect control.

　But after arriving in Ryukyu, which is now under the occupation of the United States, and taking a stroll around, Ferry suddenly realized that Ryukyu independence is a false proposition!

　Because, right now, there is only the Ryukyu Islands, but no Ryukyu people! The vast majority of the residents on the island are Japanese!

　As for the real Ryukyuans? Well, their situation is probably quite similar to that of the Indians in reservations in the mainland United States.

　Under such circumstances, even if the United States wants to force Ryukyu to become independent, it will most likely end up humiliating itself.

　Therefore, using the governance of Ryukyu as a bargaining chip to trade with the Japanese government in exchange for benefits is almost the most appropriate approach.

　Why is it that the Ryukyu Kingdom, which once had a glorious history and was known as the "bridge between all nations," can no longer even protect its own homeland?

　First, as an isolated island nation in the western Pacific, the Ryukyu people have always been a very small ethnic group. Even at the height of their prosperity, their population never reached 200,000. With such a small population, it would have been difficult for them to maintain independence in East Asia.

　The total population of the Ryukyu Kingdom during its heyday exceeded 200,000, but a considerable number of them were not Ryukyuans, but Japanese.

　In the history of human civilization in East Asia, the Ryukyu Kingdom was a latecomer. It wasn't until the early Ming Dynasty in the 14th century that the three kingdoms of Beishan, Zhongshan, and Nanshan emerged into a three-way conflict. Then, the Shang Dynasty of Zhongshan unified the "Three Mountains" and established the Ryukyu Kingdom.

　As early as 700 years earlier, in the seventh century AD, during the Sui and Tang dynasties in China, Japan's Yamato court had basically unified the country.

　Although in the eyes of later generations, Japan's Heian period seems to be a weak and elegant painting style of love, romance, poetry and prose.

　But in fact, while the nobles and ladies in Kyoto were indulging in elegant and refined culture and art and the petty and dark palace fighting, the army of the Heian Dynasty continued to expand its territory in all directions and expand the living space of the Yamato people.

　The early Japanese colony of Mimana (known as Gayakoku in Korean) in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula was ultimately unrecoverable due to the stubbornness of Silla. However, the indigenous Ezo people of northeastern Japan were repeatedly conquered during the Heian period, ultimately being wiped out or fleeing north to Hokkaido—hence the later shogunate's position of "Shogun."

　In addition, in the southwest of Japan, the Japanese army and envoys of the Heian Dynasty also set out from Kyushu Island countless times, following the sea crossing route of the "Tang Envoys", conquering one island after another to the south, while granting officials and recruiting indigenous chiefs, and exiling prisoners to these islands as armed immigrants, changing the local population ratio and making it a new frontier of the Yamato court.

　This classical maritime colonization certainly couldn't match the speed of the European voyages of discovery. But after four hundred years, by the time the Genpei War broke out and the Heian period ended, the southernmost border of the Japanese imperial court had reached Amami Oshima in the central Ryukyu Islands.

　In other words, apart from the main island of Ryukyu, the other islands to the north had already belonged to the Yamato people as early as the Heian period.

　By the time the Ryukyu people gradually got rid of ignorance and established civilization in the 13th and 14th centuries, their living space could not even cover the entire Ryukyu Islands. Not only had other islands in the Ryukyu Islands north of Ryukyu been incorporated into Japan's territory, but even places such as Yaeyama and Miyako Island southwest of the Ryukyu main island had been cultivated and occupied by Japanese immigrants using the "island-hopping colonization" method.

　The Ryukyu people's living area is limited to the 1,200 square kilometers of Okinawa Island, and the total population is only about 100,000.

　Fortunately, the rise of the Ryukyu Kingdom coincided with the Muromachi Shogunate and Warring States Periods, the most turbulent and chaotic periods in medieval Japan.

　Due to the prolonged civil war, the Japanese lords in various parts of the Ryukyu Islands could no longer receive military support from the mainland. The Ryukyu Sho Dynasty took advantage of this opportunity to defeat them one by one, capturing Yonaguni Island in the southwest and Amami Oshima in the northeast, thus basically unifying the entire Ryukyu Islands.

　But the problem is that although the Ryukyu Kingdom in its heyday successfully conquered the entire Ryukyu Islands, it was unable to eliminate the Japanese who had already taken root and lived on those islands for hundreds of years. It could only make them subjects, making the Ryukyu Kingdom a mixed country with more Japanese than Ryukyuans.

　In the eyes of the Japanese, the rise of the Ryukyu Kingdom was like the Khitans taking advantage of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in the Central Plains to occupy the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun.

　After the Warring States period ended, Japan once again launched an expedition to Ryukyu, defeating the Ryukyu Kingdom, which had a population of only 20, and forcing it to surrender.

　The living space of the Ryukyu people was once again compressed back to the main island of 1,200 square kilometers, and was constantly disrupted by Japanese immigrants.

　What’s even more terrible is that during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II, the Japanese army deliberately launched a massacre in order to prevent the Ryukyu natives from colluding with the US military. More than 100,000 Ryukyu natives were killed, and the indigenous people on the island were almost wiped out - the entire Ryukyu nation had less than 200,000 people!

　By the end of the war, real Ryukyuans only accounted for 5% of the population of the Ryukyu Islands, and the rest were Japanese immigrants and mixed-race people.

　Tokyo also deployed personnel in Okinawa in advance, established pro-Japanese political organizations, and has been planning various activities to return to Japan.

　Therefore, long before the defeat, Japan had used its bloody butcher knife to "completely" eliminate the hidden dangers of Ryukyu independence.

　Of course, after Ryukyu returned to Japan, due to the Japanese government's outrageous actions, Ryukyu once again launched an independence movement, which is another matter.

　However, at this moment under the occupation of the US military, because "distance makes beauty", unification with Japan is the mainstream public opinion of the Ryukyu people (Japanese immigrants).

　Under such circumstances, even if the US military stationed in Japan wanted to force Ryukyu's independence, it would not be able to find a way and could only acquiesce in Ryukyu's return to Japanese rule.

　As for Fili, the fun-loving man, he had no choice but to give up his thoughts on causing trouble. After Monroe's performance was over, he continued south to the Philippines...

　Author's words: PS: The latest joke is that in Bellevue, Washington, USA, someone found a nuclear bomb in his backyard and donated it to a museum. The museum was so scared that it called the police, and the police called the bomb disposal expert from the police station. The bomb disposal expert also went black and almost fainted - who would have thought of dismantling a nuclear bomb?

　As for the origin of the nuclear bomb, it remains a mystery to this day - the Civilization 6 game is indeed not deceiving, and the villagers can really share knowledge about nuclear fusion with travelers!