JAPAN: The Big Hello

On his bury-the-hatchet tour of Southeast Asia last year, Japan's Premier Nobusuke Kishi found the Filipinos least ready of all of Tokyo's World War II victims to forgive and forget. Only a military guard greeted him at Manila airport, and the Philippine public turned a cold shoulder. The stiffly formal meetings with Filipino officials were chilled by arguments over Japan's reparations payments ($550 million promised) to the Philippines. Last week, on the first anniversary of Kishi's icy reception in Manila, the Philippines' President Carlos Garcia went to Tokyo. Hoping that flattery would...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!