HIROSHIMA TODAY

I HAVE A TREMONDOUS RESPECT FOR THE JAPANESE PEOPLE AND ENJOY SPENDING TIME IN JAPAN. THE FOLLOWING IS A REQUEST STATEMENT FROM LANCE WILSON/SURFER: As a Surfer, I would like to state that the nation known as Japan should never be put to blame for what actions have occurred in the past. We must remember that Japan tried to isolate itself from the outside world but then U.S. President Filmore in 1853 sent the "Black Ships" to Uraga Harbor in Kanagawa Perfecture under the Command of Commodore Perry's Superior Force enabling him to force a negotiation with the Shogun into signing the "Treaty of Peace and Amity"(Gunboat Diplomacy).. Though Saigo Takamori "The Last Samurai" attempted to overthow the Imperial Japanese Army he was defeated in the "Battle Of Shiroyama" bringing to an end the "Sasuma Rebellion" thus casting Japan into modernization destroying its' traditional social structures and enacting the "Haitorei Edict" (banning sword carrying in the streets). To me this was a sad ending to a heroic incredible period in the history of Japan. It was the influences of Western Civilization which created the Imperial Nation of Japan beginning with the defeat of the Soviet Navy during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 and ended with Paul Tibbets. One of the good things to come out of this debacle was that if it wasn't for the "Black Ships" & Modernization I wouldn't be able to surf Chiba, Shonen, Wakayama, Shizuoka, Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Okinawa, & the Japan Sea. Japan is a special place. Anybody who appreciates the finer things in life should be honored & privileged to visit & experience such a places as Mount Fuji and My Favorite Town Osaka.