Septermber 22, 2022

Akahata 'current' column

The British Empire, at its peak, reigned over one-fourth of the world encompassing Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and North America and one-sixth of the world's population. The people and territories under British administration were required to be loyal to the King of England. The Royal Family has been a symbol of its colonial power.

These territories achieved independence one after another after WWII, but problems resulting from exploitation and oppression by the British rule still exist. The death of Queen Elizabeth II has been met with backlash from people in former British colonies, according to a foreign news page of Akahata dated September 22. This is not surprising at all. In India, a signature campaign has started to seek the return of the diamond which is set in the British monarch's crown.

Understanding of history varies depending on the ruler and the ruled. Most media have biasedly held up Queen Elizabeth II as being "beloved all over the world". Amid praising coverage of the queen, in Japan, the holding of the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will be forced through despite opposition by a majority of the general public.

For whom and for what purpose is the state funeral going to be held? The funeral will exert pressure on the general public to express respect and offer condolences to the person who brought dishonor to politics and was a walking billboard for the Moonies. The tax-funded funeral will mobilize citizenry to the ceremony for the sake of the present government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Unilateral imposition of the problematic event will certainly blot Japan's constitutional history.