Aichi scholars discuss Asian history and education

A Japanese Communist Party supporters' organization, which consists of scholars and researchers in Aichi Prefecture, on June 16 held a symposium on Asian history and education in Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture.

Panelist Yoshioka Yoshinori, JCP member of the House of Councilors, referred to the controversial junior high school textbook edited by the "Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform" which justifies Japan's war of aggression and colonization in China and Korea. Yoshioka criticized the textbook for trying to teach students a distorted history as a truth.

Another panelist Yasukawa Junosuke, professor emeritus of Nagoya University, talked in detail about Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) who was a pioneer of Japan's modernization. Yasukawa argued that Fukuzawa, despising Korea and China, inspired the idea of colonization and war in Japanese people.

A participant said, "Children are taught about Fukuzawa Yukichi but they don't know the facts. I think all Asian people should share the hidden facts of history as a common understanding." (end)