As Asia prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, tensions over historical accountability have resurfaced following reports of Japan's diplomatic efforts to discourage international participation in China's upcoming Victory Day commemorations.
Multiple Japanese media outlets reveal Tokyo has urged Asian and European leaders to skip Beijing's September 3 military parade, citing concerns about "anti-Japanese overtones." The event honors the 1931-1945 Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which claimed over 35 million Chinese lives according to historical records.
"Countries that sincerely commit to peaceful development have no reason to object to commemorating history," stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, responding to the reports. The parade forms part of China's annual remembrance of what it considers a pivotal moment in national liberation from foreign aggression.
Analysts suggest Japan's approach reflects unresolved historical tensions. CGTN commentator Chen Guifang noted: "Attempts to undermine commemoration events reveal diplomatic immaturity and historical avoidance." The development comes amid ongoing debates about wartime accountability, including Japan's military actions in Nanjing and its former "comfort women" system.
Regional observers warn such diplomatic maneuvers could strain China-Japan relations while raising questions about historical reconciliation. As one Southeast Asian diplomat anonymously told KhabarAsia: "True peace requires confronting difficult truths, not avoiding memorials."
The controversy highlights Asia's complex postwar landscape, where historical memory continues to shape modern geopolitics. With China's commemorations approaching, all eyes remain on how regional powers navigate this sensitive anniversary.
