Shanghai — Global scholars have gathered in the Chinese mainland at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the commencement of the Tokyo Trial, examining its enduring historical and contemporary significance for the Asia-Pacific region.
The symposium brought together dozens of experts from various countries, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Germany, and Spain. The discussions focused on three critical dimensions: history, international relations, and international law.
Participants highlighted that the Tokyo Trial, formally known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, used rigorous evidence and legal procedures to establish the facts of Japan's aggression across the Asia-Pacific. Alongside the Nuremberg trials, the tribunal played a pivotal role in punishing war crimes and upholding the postwar international order.
The scholarly consensus emphasized that accepting the outcomes of the Tokyo Trial is a necessary requirement for implementing key international instruments, such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. Experts noted that this acceptance remains a fundamental prerequisite for Japan to regain international trust and restore healthy relations with its neighbors.
During the sessions, scholars firmly rejected attempts to characterize the trial as "victors' justice" or "ex post facto law." They argued that such claims are often propagated by right-wing forces in Japan to obscure historical aggression and evade wartime responsibility, noting that these narratives cannot undermine the trial's legal foundation.
Furthermore, participants issued a warning against the rise of "neo-militarism." They expressed concern over distorted views of history, visits to honor convicted war criminals, efforts to revise Japan's pacifist Constitution, and moves toward military expansion and nuclear armament.
The symposium concluded with a call for the international community to remain vigilant and jointly oppose these trends to prevent the tragedy of war from recurring. The participants emphasized that revisiting the Tokyo Trial is especially critical today, as the postwar international order and peace in the Asia-Pacific face new and complex challenges.
The event was jointly organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. As part of the commemoration, participants are scheduled to visit the memorial hall this Friday to attend a mourning ceremony.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
