January 28, 2016
“Only in a peaceful and free society can we enjoy sports.” Nishimoto Takeshi, president of the Japan Workers’ Alpine Federation (JFAW), on January 26 delivered a lecture under the theme, “War and sport/climbing” at an annual assembly of the Article 9 Association of athletes. In his lecture, Nisimoto talked about how Japanese alpinist circles became involved in the 15-year war (1931-1945).
Nishimoto pointed out that during the wartime period, there was an atmosphere of growing pressure on Japanese alpinists to cooperate with the imperial government to support the war. He said that a national federation of alpine clubs was established under government initiative and that the federation promoted mountain activities in time of war such as hill walking for the purpose of finding edible food growing in the wild to help with the shortage of food and other activities to entertain wounded soldiers.
Nishimoto explained that when the war escalated, the federation was converted into a semi-military organization and mountaineering was used to train soldiers. “At that time, mountain climbing was regarded as an ability necessary to fight wars and kill people. In my research alone, about 350 alpinists, including experts, were killed in the war,” Nishimoto added.
In conclusion, Nishimoto said, “I know some climbers prefer to avoid touching on political matters in their conversations. However, looking back at the history in which mountaineering was influenced by politics, I think it is important for people to make efforts to deepen their thinking in regard to political realities.”
Nishimoto pointed out that during the wartime period, there was an atmosphere of growing pressure on Japanese alpinists to cooperate with the imperial government to support the war. He said that a national federation of alpine clubs was established under government initiative and that the federation promoted mountain activities in time of war such as hill walking for the purpose of finding edible food growing in the wild to help with the shortage of food and other activities to entertain wounded soldiers.
Nishimoto explained that when the war escalated, the federation was converted into a semi-military organization and mountaineering was used to train soldiers. “At that time, mountain climbing was regarded as an ability necessary to fight wars and kill people. In my research alone, about 350 alpinists, including experts, were killed in the war,” Nishimoto added.
In conclusion, Nishimoto said, “I know some climbers prefer to avoid touching on political matters in their conversations. However, looking back at the history in which mountaineering was influenced by politics, I think it is important for people to make efforts to deepen their thinking in regard to political realities.”
