historical issue

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Aso's glorification of colonialism tarnishes his title as Foreign minister

Foreign minister Aso Taro stated that the high-standard of education in Taiwan was made possible by the education system under Japanese colonialism, drawing strong criticism in and out of Japan. When he was the Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, he made similar remarks about Korea, saying that during the period of Japanese colonial rule, Korean people adopted Japanese names because they ﾒwished to do so.ﾓ

Japan colonized Taiwan after the 1894-1895 Japanese-Sino War, and terrorized the residents until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.

Following a full-scale invasion of China, Japan incorporated Taiwan into Japan's national mobilization system. In order to make the Taiwan residents obey the Japanese ruler, Japan banned the languages, culture, religions, and customs of Taiwan, and forced them to receive Tenno (emperor)-centered education. Taiwanese residents were forced to fight wars in China and other regions, and many of them died there.

Japan imposed its education on the Taiwanese for the sake of colonization. Describing it as the basis of development of present-day Taiwan is a dirty scheme to cover up the historical error committed by Japan, which is tantamount to falsifying history.

Aso virtually represents the position of Yasukuni Shrine, whose mission is to justify the Japanese war of aggression and colonial rule, giving official endorsement to Yasukuni's view of history.

Aso's remarks go against even the official Japanese government position to reflect on the war of aggression and colonial rule. Aso must seriously reflect on his remarks glorifying colonial rule, and must apologize for it.

Since Japan is part of Asia, its justification of the past war of aggression and colonial rule only damages the national interests of Japan.
- Akahata February 20, 2006