JCP says government bears responsibility for approving reactionary history textbook

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP says government bears responsibility for approving reactionary history textbook

On April 9, Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ishii Ikuko issued the following comment on behalf of the JCP Dietmembers' Group Education and Science Team criticizing the Education Ministry for approving a history textbook published by Jiyu-sha for junior high school use.

"Jiyu-sha's history textbook describes Japan's Pacific War as a war for 'self-defense.' Like the 'New History Textbook' published by Fuso-sha, it praises the Japanese war of aggression.

Looking back critically on Japan's war of aggression and colonial rule in Asia and settling all these historical wrongdoings are a prerequisite for Japan to again become a respected member of the International community after the end of World War II. That was how Japan was initially accepted in the post-war era.

The government approval of a textbook that contradicts Japan's post-war principle of remorse is unacceptable.

Japanese children must learn the historical truth of the Japanese war of aggression and its colonial rule as well as the Japanese Constitution advocating democracy and peace, which was established based on self-criticism of these historical acts, in order for them to grow up as the sovereigns of the country in cooperation with all people of the rest of the world.

The JCP will join hands with people of all strata to stop all reactionary attempts to turn Japan back into a nation based on suppression of truth by justifying the past Japanese war of aggression as well as by approving the reactionary textbook.

- Akahata, April 10, 2009