Okinawans rally demanding that history of forced 'mass suicide' be returned to textbooks

Japan Press Weekly

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

Okinawans rally demanding that history of forced 'mass suicide' be returned to textbooks

About 1,000 Okinawans on September 29 held a rally in Naha City, calling for the return of a removed account from high school history textbooks that the Japanese Imperial Army had ordered residents to commit "mass suicide" during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of WWII.

Participants adopted an appeal urging the new government to implement the resolution adopted two years ago in a similar rally demanding the education ministry to not distort the facts of the Okinawa Battle.

Speaking on behalf of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, Chair Takamine Zenshin called on participants "to keep struggling until our wish reaches the new government, and the education ministry replaces the description in question to the textbooks."

Yoshikawa Yoshikatsu, a survivor of the "mass suicide" that was carried out in Tokashiki Island, testified that civilians had been forced by the Japanese army to commit "mass suicide". Yoshikawa said that the recent political change is a good opportunity to have the education ministry order to eliminate the account rescinded.

Representatives from political parties, including the Japanese Communist, the Democratic, the Social Democratic, and the Okinawa Social Mass parties, made speeches in support.

Pointing out that the number of Diet members glorifying the Battle of Okinawa decreased in the general election, JCP member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken said, "This is our opportunity to drastically revise the education ministry's textbook screening policy, which suppresses Okinwans' experiences in and testimonies about the Battle of Okinawa. The JCP will make its utmost to persuade the education ministry to rescind its order."

- Akahata, September 30, 2009