In a strong call for historical accountability, the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China has urged Japan to deeply reflect on its wartime crimes and make a definitive break from militarism. The statement comes in response to reports that a museum in Nagasaki is planning to alter its historical references regarding the Nanjing Massacre.
According to recent media reports, the Nagasaki atomic bomb museum is currently updating its displays. As part of these changes, the museum plans to replace the term "Nanjing Massacre" with "Nanjing Incident," describing it as an event in which numerous civilians and prisoners of war were killed.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the issue during a daily press briefing on Friday, emphasizing that the atrocities committed during the period of Japanese militarism are well-documented. "The Nanjing Massacre was a brutal crime committed by Japanese militarism. The evidence is irrefutable and cannot be altered," Mao stated.
Drawing on legal and historical records, Mao noted that the Tokyo Trials—officially known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East—explicitly characterized the events in Nanjing as a "massacre" rather than a mere "incident." The spokesperson highlighted that these judgments were established through extensive survivor testimony, records from foreign witnesses, and Japanese military archives.
The briefing also referenced the case of Iwane Matsui, one of the principal perpetrators of the massacre, who was sentenced to death by hanging as a Class-A war criminal, underscoring the gravity of the crimes committed.
Mao asserted that "history does not allow revisionism," pointing out that the desire for an honest accounting of the past is shared by many within Japan. She noted that various Japanese atomic bomb survivors, civic groups in Nagasaki, and other prominent figures have consistently called for a correct and complete reflection of the history of Japanese militarism as an aggressor.
Concluding the remarks, the Foreign Ministry reiterated its call for Japan to fully sever its ties with its militaristic past to ensure regional stability and peace, urging a sincere commitment to historical truth.
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China urges Japan to reflect on war crimes and break with militarism
cgtn.com
