No problem with the date to me. The design is honoring a garden. the US and Japan are allies. Remember, it's 2011, not 1944/45.

How insensitive can they get.
Remember Pearl Harbor

About 2,400 Americans died that day. In memory of those who died in the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, I think the honorable thing to do would be for Disney to move that "start" date to another day on the calendar.

No, it's not 1941, but we have a duty to honor our war dead and fallen heroes. And many of the people who died that day were *real* heroes.

Didn't Roosevelt call it "A day that will live in infamy?" Very bad taste. An insult to my father, too.

Very poor timing....just leaves a bad taste.

I still think it's bad taste, tho the world is different and Japan and US are allies now. But it's an insult to our dwindling WW2 veterans.

No, they they just renovated an existing restaurant, which is part of the Japan Pavilion that is already there. It's not a new build.

Let's face it - most people who go to Disney these days have no idea about Pearl Harbor other than what they read about in history books. There's really no emotional attachment. People who lived through it or in that era usually aren't the ones in theme parks. I think it's a good opportunity to teach our kids historical lessons in a positive and peaceful way. I'm sure they will reflect upon this day in some way as a whole lot of innocent Japanese people also died in that war, in addition to our own heroes. Just a sad, sad situation all around but I don't think it's being dishonorable.

It's commemorating what started as something horrific evolving into the friendship we have with Japan today. At least that's how I see it.

I agree that it is in bad taste. There are 365 days in a year--why pick Pearl Harbor day?

My father is a WWII disabled vet. In 1964, our family became friends with a Japanese couple. The man had trained kamikaze pilots during WWII. He didn't choose to do it--he was drafted into service for his country, just as my father was drafted into service for ours. They came to America in the early 60s; became US citizens; and pledged allegiance to the US. They were the best friends my family ever had until Joe passed away in 2004; his wife remains our closest friend.

My point is that, while the US and Japan are now allies, and we can be friends with those with whom we fought, we still have a responsibility to honor those who sacrificed their lives on 12/7/41.

They could have picked another day.

The remodeled restaurant was supposed to be re-opened under a new name in November but it took longer to renovate than expected. Time is money, and every day they are closed, they are losing some. I have no problem with them opening on Wed, I wish I could go there for it, it sounds lovely. I imagine that whichever corporation is sponsoring the Japanese Pavilion is calling the shots. And EPCOT is all about tomorrow, right? Not the past?

My late MIL never got over the attack on Pearl Harbor and claimed to hate everything/everyone Japanese because of it, but she didn't mind at all when her son went there and shipped her home a bunch of cool things. *shakes head*

Poor choice. Should have just opened December 8.

My last thoughts on the subject:

This isn't about forgiveness, or holding onto old memories, this is about honoring the previous generation who risked their life so that we could sit in our comfy homes today and not worry about incoming bombs, or living under a dictatorship, and live a life of relative prosperity and peace.

The men (and women) who marched down to recruitment centers en masse on December 7th and 8th, waiting in line for HOURS to join the armed services and LAY THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE so that this country's way of life would be, and could be protected and preserved - THOSE were heroes. Those were true blue heroes. And there were SO many of them!!!

December 7th was one of the most important dates in American history, when young men and women (many in their TEENS) were ready and willing to sacrifice their lives. Theirs was the most unselfish of acts, and that's what we should remember and commemorate.

FYI, they were called "The Lost Generation" at the time, because they went from being 16 and 17-year-old kids to being mature, hardened, saddened, grieving old people. THeir "youth" was completely bypassed, due to those hard, lean war years.

They were "kids" that watched as great numbers of their high school classmates were killed or disabled by a horrific war.

They were "kids" that sacrificed food and clothing and simple joys for scrap drives and the war effort.

They were "kids" that worried and wondered if Hitler - who seemed unstoppable - would make his way across Europe and eventually come to America and conquer this nation, as well.

We honor another generation's memory - and their sacrifice and heroism and loss of life - when he honor the date of December 7th.

Beautifully said, Rosemary!!

I hope you're not questioning anyone's patriotism or gratefulness to our veterans simply because they aren't offended by the re-opening of a restaurant. I checked with my father, also a WWII vet and my husband, a Vietnam vet, and neither one is offended or bothered by it. I guess they have a different perspective, having lived through wars in a very personal way.

Woody thinks that the lessons learned should be remembered and honored but that holding onto anger is counterproductive. His ability to forgive has always impressed me.

I also have no problem with the date, and my father also served in the Pacific in WWII.
Frankly, what would you think of a restaurant opening in the US pavilion on August 6th? If any Japanese citizen complained of that date would you think it would be a insult?

That section of the Disney park is an international section...where all countries display their heritage - not a political forum.

Now I understand your posting on Facebook. I have no problem with them opening a restaurant on that day. It's probably owned by Americans so I don't really understand why you are so upset about it. Because of the type of food being served there? So no one in the U.S. should open a Japanese restaurant on that day ever? What if someone opened a store selling Japanese products, like Toyotas?

I'm one of the most patriotic people around and love the WWII vets I take care of, and I don't understand why someone would be upset about this, sorry Rosemary.