International Criticism Mounts Over Historical Revisionism
A recent CGTN survey of 11,913 respondents across 40 countries reveals growing global frustration with Japan's approach to addressing its World War II actions. The poll highlights strong opposition to Japanese politicians' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine—where Class-A war criminals are enshrined—with 64.4% of global respondents condemning the practice. Over 65% criticized Japan's historical textbook revisions and demanded official apologies and reparations to affected nations.
Asia's Vocal Disapproval
Dissatisfaction peaks in Asia, where South Korean respondents showed over 90% opposition to shrine visits and textbook revisions. In Malaysia, 84% rejected historical distortions, while 80% of Indonesian and Filipino respondents called for reparations. This contrasts sharply with Japanese respondents: only 18.3% opposed shrine visits, and fewer than 20% acknowledged unresolved historical responsibilities.
Germany's Post-War Example
The survey underscores a stark contrast between Japan and Germany's reckoning with wartime history. Global approval of Germany's reparations and historical education efforts exceeded Japan's by over 40 percentage points. South Korean approval for Germany's approach reached 80%, compared to less than 10% for Japan—a gap reflecting deep regional skepticism toward Tokyo's narrative.
Diplomatic Repercussions
57% of respondents believe Japan's historical stance hinders relations with China, while 50.7% say it damages its international image. In Southeast Asia, over 80% of Vietnamese and Filipino respondents echoed these concerns. Analysts warn that unresolved historical issues could complicate Japan's regional diplomacy amid rising geopolitical tensions.
