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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Can Japan be proud of lacking reflection on the war of aggression?
Akahata editorial

A "Society for History Textbook Reform" touts its New History Textbook as a "textbook that helps Japanese children's sound growth as Japanese citizens with pride and awareness as they play an active role in exchanges with the rest of the world in the 21st century."

In cooperation with the Liberal Democratic Party, the Society is mounting a campaign to get local boards of education to adopt its history textbook (published by Fuso Publishing Co. for junior high-schools.

The Society's history textbook is facing severe criticism in Japan and abroad, worsening Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors. This is a textbook that hampers Japan's friendly relations with the rest of the world. We cannot allow this textbook to be used by children in the 21st century.

Its view of history being called into questioned

The New History Textbook justifies Japan's colonialism and war of aggression. It depicts Japan's colonial rule of Korea and Taiwan as an act that contributed to their development. Its description of the Japanese war of aggression against China and Southeast Asian countries is simply a carbon copy of what the imperial Japanese government claimed at the time. It even praises Japanese soldiers' brave spirits as it relates its heroic epic of the Japanese Army.

In referring to what it calls Japan's pride, the New History Textbook shows no sympathy for the more than 20 million Asian people who were killed in the Japanese war of aggression.

Putting this war in a favorable light will enable the same mistake to be made in the future.

It is natural that this drew criticism among people in South Korea, China, and other Asian countries. We must recognize that their criticism grows out of their wish for peaceful and friendly relations with Japan.

An opinion advertisement published in the July 22 issue of the Yomiuri Shimbun by South Korean public figures, including historians, labor leaders, educators, and artists, expressed their deep concern over a local board of education's adoption of the Society's history textbook, and called for the importance of "understanding history for the sake of reconciliation, friendship, and a peaceful future.

Reporting the adoption of the New History Textbook in Otawara City in Tochigi Prefecture, Malaysia's Sin Chew Daily expressed concern that it could strain Japan's relations with China and South Korea.

Kin Hee Sun, the chair of the South Korean National Assembly National Policy Committee, stated: "We must learn the truth of the past in order to ensure our future. I hope that Japan will correct its past mistakes so that truly friendly relations can be built between Japan and South Korea.

Only by clearly admitting that Japan made mistakes in the past and promising that it will not repeat the same mistakes, can Japanese take pride in Japan's peaceful path as it tries to get along with the rest of Asia.

The Japanese Constitution expresses Japan's resolution that it will never repeat wars of aggression based on its reflection on the past war of aggression, confirming that "all peoples have the right to live in peace." The Fundamental Law of Education states that Japan will "show our resolution to contribute to the world and welfare of humanity by building a democratic and cultural state." It emphasizes that this resolution depends "fundamentally on the power of education."

Adherence to the principles of the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education will make it possible for Japan as a member of Asia to co-exist with the rest of the world.

To live in peace

Textbooks that should be made available to Japanese children must help children become able to take a hard look at the historical truths, listen to other Asian people, and acquire the power to live together. It is the minimum responsibility of the Japanese people to select textbooks for children to learn the importance of maintaining Japan's peaceful coexistence in Asia and the rest of the world. -- Akahata, July 24, 2005