On July 7, a number of Japanese non-governmental organizations including the "Kanto Japan-China Peace and Friendship Association", "Japan-China Friendship 8-15 Meeting" and "Fushun Miracle Succession Association" jointly held a gathering to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the July 7th Incident in Saitama City, Japan.Participants deeply reflected on Japan's history of militaristic aggression, opposed the Takaichi Sanae government's wrong actions of exaggerating the so-called "threat from neighboring countries" and accelerating the expansion of armaments, and called on the Japanese government and society to face up to its history of aggression and adhere to the path of peaceful development.
Shin Yabuki, an honorary professor at Yokohama City University in Japan, told reporters that in recent years, the scale of Japan’s arms-related trade has expanded year by year, arms export control standards have been continuously relaxed, and arms deployment has been accelerated. This approach is completely putting the cart before the horse.He emphasized that Japan and China are separated by a narrow strip of water. If China is set as an "imaginary enemy", Japan will have no room to survive. This is the most basic common sense for security assurance.Currently, the Japanese government ignores these basic common sense and continues to promote relevant discussions, which "has reached the point of absurdity."
Shin Yabuki said that although Japan has maintained peace for more than 80 years after the war, historical education is still seriously lacking.The long-term deliberate avoidance by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and other departments has resulted in many young people lacking knowledge of the historical facts of Japanese aggression. Many young people do not even know that Japan has invaded China. This serious situation is really worrying.Japan's right-wing politicians exploit people's dissatisfaction with the economic downturn and political chaos to blindly manipulate opposition and seek political selfish interests. This is very dangerous.These restless and aggressive actions will only lead Japan down a dangerous path.
Miyuki Endo, a lecturer at Kanda University of Foreign Studies in Japan, told reporters that the Japanese government has never officially acknowledged the serious crimes committed in the war of aggression such as Unit 731 and the forced recruitment of "comfort women".History textbooks have downplayed the "Nanjing Massacre" and renamed it the "Nanjing Incident", and the historical facts related to World War II aggression have continued to be reduced. Last year, the revised version of some textbooks even reappeared in the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" and other terms of aggression.Miyuki Endo said that historical education must truthfully record the historical facts of Japan as the perpetrator, otherwise young people will have no way of knowing the truth of history. "Only by telling history completely can the next generation truly understand the cruelty of war and the preciousness of peace."
According to Hiroshi Akiyama, a key member of the "Japan-China Friendship 8-15 Meeting", many right-wing politicians in high positions in Japan have vigorously advocated the expansion of armaments and opened the door for the relaxation of export restrictions on lethal weapons.He called on Japan to deepen cooperative relations with its Asian neighbors, especially China and other countries, and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.
Kato Fujio, co-representative of the "Japan-China Friendship 8·15 Meeting" who has been a high school teacher for a long time, told reporters that as a teacher, he often writes his own handouts to tell the true history to students, inspiring students to think independently and distinguish the authenticity of history.In his view, Japan should truly admit the serious mistakes it has made when facing China and other Asian countries, and show an attitude of actually promoting the normalization of relations based on atonement and self-reflection.
Participants generally believed that only by thoroughly facing up to its history of aggression, assuming responsibility for historical crimes, adhering to Article 9 of the Constitution, and resisting "new militarism" can Japan truly gain the trust of neighboring countries and achieve lasting peaceful development in East Asia.On the occasion of the 89th anniversary of the July 7th Incident, peace forces from all walks of life in Japan should further strengthen their anti-war voices and play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.
(People’s Daily, Saitama, Japan, July 8)
