In a recent diplomatic briefing, China has called upon Japan to take concrete steps to distance itself from its militaristic past and embrace a path of peaceful development. The call underscores the importance of historical accountability in fostering regional stability and mutual trust in East Asia.
A Call for Sincere Reflection
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that for a nation to earn the respect of the global community, it must deeply reflect on its historical crimes. Drawing a comparison with other countries that have thoroughly eradicated fascism and strictly punished those who deny historical responsibility, Guo noted that Japan's approach has remained insufficient.
Addressing Historical Distortions
A key point of concern raised by the spokesperson is the perceived downplaying of the "Murayama Statement" and "Kono Statement"—foundational documents that expressed remorse and apology for colonial aggression. According to Guo, the Japanese government has condoned right-wing forces that openly glorify war crimes and attempt to challenge the judgements of the Tokyo Trials.
Furthermore, the spokesperson highlighted the issue of the Yasukuni Shrine, describing it as a de facto "war criminal shrine" due to the enshrinement of those who launched the war of aggression. He observed that numerous Japanese political figures have continued the practice of visiting or sending ritual offerings to the shrine, hindering the process of reconciliation.
The Impact on Global Order
The briefing also addressed the role of education, asserting that Japan has not comprehensively or objectively reflected its history of aggression in school textbooks. Instead, Guo argued that Japan has promoted a distorted view of World War II history, effectively creating a "victim" persona.
China maintains that these erroneous words and deeds challenge the outcomes of the victory in World War II and undermine the established post-war international order. As spokesperson Guo concluded, distorting history and covering up crimes cannot win the tolerance or trust of the international community.
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China urges Japan to take real actions to break with militarism
cgtn.com
