Survivors of Japanese brutality in World War II planned a silent protest of disrespect by turning their backs on the Emperor Akihito of Japan.

The BBC's James Robbins: Veterans feel more strongly about this issue now than 50 years ago (1' 36")

They wanted to show their anger at Japan's continued refusal to offer a full apology or pay compensation.

The UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, appealed for a "warm welcome". He urged the veterans to make their point in a peaceful and dignified way.

However, the victims of Japanese prisoner camps accuse him of "betrayal". They say he knows nothing about it: He was not there. But for many of those who were, Japanese expressions of regret are just not enough.

Time has nonetheless moved on. And Mr Blair has said: "To allow our relationship to be defined solely by the past is to fail to understand fully the achievement of those who fought for freedom."

The Prime Minister says look to the future without forgetting the past (18")

And the Japan of today is not the Japan of World War II. If the UK now welcomes Japan's investment, visitors and products, why not its emperor?

Emperor Akihito has stated his deep sympathy for the veterans. His constitutional role however does not allow him to apologise in public.

Mr Blair says he believes the emperor was "absolutely genuine" in the apology he made when he visited Japan. But this is not the apology on behalf of the Japanese government that many veterans still want.

What do you think?

Would you turn your back on the emperor?

I am a 33 year old Japanese person. I grew up being force-fed by our schools the idea that it was only Japan that did anything wrong in WW2...
Haruhiko Ono, Malaysia

Your reaction in full

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