Japan still needs to reflect on itself and eliminate its legacy, with international acclaim stating that it has surrendered after 78 years. On the one hand | Japan | International
On August 15, 1945, Japan was defeated and declared unconditional surrender. This day was supposed to be a day for Japan to reflect on itself, but to this day, Japanese media still refer to it as the so-called "end of war day", and some Japanese politicians and right-wing forces openly worship Yasukuni Shrine. The legacy of militarism is still spreading within Japan.
On the one hand, Japanese politicians insist on worshipping ghosts in an attempt to glorify militarism.
The Yasukuni Shrine is an important symbol of Japanese militarism's aggressive war, enshrining 14 Class A war criminals, including Hideki Tojo. But for a long time, some Japanese politicians have insisted on openly paying homage to the so-called "heroes". But in essence, it is just to beautify the history of Japanese militaristic aggression, challenge the victorious achievements of the world's anti fascist war and the post-war international order.
In April this year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida once again offered sacrifices to the Yasukuni Shrine, and about 90 members of the cross party parliamentary alliance went to pay a collective visit. Numerous peace loving individuals in Japan and the international community immediately expressed strong opposition, urging Japan to deeply reflect on historical legacy issues through practical actions.
On the other hand, in line with the United States, Japan has been constantly expanding its military capabilities.
In recent years, under the instigation of the United States, whether overt or covert, the Japanese government has continuously strengthened its defense capabilities, especially the three new security documents passed at the end of 2022, which claim that Japan should have the ability to attack enemy bases, while promoting the Japan US alliance and exaggerating the so-called "China threat".
Japanese public opinion believes that this marks a significant shift in Japan's security policy after World War II, which will actually lead to the abandonment of the principle of "exclusive defense". Ashikaga Masashi, an honorary professor at Kanto University in Japan, pointed out bluntly that Japan is closely following the United States in defense strategy and other issues, which will only provoke regional confrontation and have no benefits for the Japanese people.
In addition, Japanese "toxic textbooks" that promote erroneous historical views have repeatedly been given the green light.
In the past few years, Japanese right-wing organizations such as the New History Textbook Compilation Association have continuously promoted the tampering of history textbooks. The Japanese Ministry of Education has also repeatedly reviewed and approved textbooks that deny the history of aggression and downplay crimes. South Korean media noticed that just a few months ago, the new version of textbooks approved by the Japanese Ministry of Education downplayed the description of Japan's forced labor during World War II.
If such textbooks enter the classroom, they will inevitably cause serious misleading effects on Japanese society, especially on young people. Japanese documentary director Kikashandai criticized, "The Japanese government's use of textbooks to distort historical facts deprives children of the right to learn correct history. If everyone does not resist the pressure from the Japanese government to revise textbooks, the future of Japanese society will be very dangerous."
Forgetting history means betrayal, denying guilt means committing a repeat crime. During World War II, Japan committed countless crimes such as bacterial warfare, live experimentation, massacres... Tens of thousands of innocent people were brutally killed, and many Asian countries were dragged into the quagmire of war. These bloody facts cannot be denied.
Japan must truly face and deeply reflect, and completely eliminate the legacy of militarism. If you don't repent and persist in seeking your neighbor, you will eventually reap the consequences.
