  Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation is basis of postwar peaceAkahata editorial A United Nations General Assembly resolution last November declared May 8 and 9 as days to commemorate the end of WW II. In May 1945, the fall of Berlin led to the disintegration of Nazi Germany, and the end of the war in Europe. The German Army command on May 7 signed a document of unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces, which came to effect on May 8. On May 9, the German Army surrendered to the Soviet Army. Although fighting between the Japanese forces and the Allied Forces continued beyond May, the UNGA resolution declared May 8 and 9 days of remembrance and reconciliation. Remorse must be expressed clearly for the war of aggression The UNGA will hold a special session on May 9. In Moscow, where casualties were the highest in Europe, a commemorative ceremony will be held with over 50 government heads attending. "Remembrance" means for every country to strengthen its determination to not launch wars of aggression by remembering the misery caused by fascism and militarism. Only on this basis can reconciliation be sought in efforts aimed at a peaceful future, by overcoming divisions, conflicts, and differences. The United Nations was established on June 26, 1945, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind" (Preamble to the U.N. Charter). The U.N. Charter prohibits wars of aggression and calls for international disputes to be resolved by peaceful means. A clear remorse for the past war of aggression is an essential first step toward an international order for peace. The task now is for every country to reaffirm this principle in order to avoid deviating from the postwar road of peace. Germany, the birth place of Nazis, was divided into the West and East blocs following its defeat in the war. Later, it overcame its post-war hardships and imminent danger of war arising from it being in the forefront of the "U.S.-Soviet confrontation," achieved its unity, and positively contributed to establishing the European Union. All this was made possible by Germany's thorough reflection of its war of aggression, which led to reconciliation with France and the former Soviet Union as well as its acceptance by the international community. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution as its postwar departure declared that Japan "forever renounces war" and that any war potential is banned. With this Constitution, together with the United Nations Charter, Japan gained a strong foothold for establishing an international order for peace. Even though the unconstitutional Self-Defense Forces were established by the U.S. Occupation forces, and Japan was used by the U.S. as supply and sortie bases during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, the Constitution has been effective in preventing the SDF from going to wars abroad. Public awareness and movements have successfully stopped attempts of constitutional amendments, with a special focus on protecting Article 9. Japan should use the Constitution instead of praising war of aggression The attempt to revise Article 9 is actually designed to allow the SDF to use force abroad and take part in U.S.-led operations in wars abroad. Many Dietmembers from the government and opposition parties continue their group visits to Yasukuni Shrine, and Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro has made no promise of stopping his Yasukuni visits. The government also approved a rightists' history textbook glorifying Japan's war of aggression. Thus, they are continuing to glorify the war of aggression. Thus, they are turning their back on a "reconciliation" with the countries and peoples of Asia, where the Japanese Army killed millions of people. Japan is going in the opposite direction to the world current moving for peace and cooperation. How should Japan make "remembrance and reconciliation" for the war? It should make full use of Article 9 by mobilizing public opinion and movements and by ceasing the arguments that glorify the war of aggression. - Akahata, May 8, 2005 |