April 18, 2025

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

It has been 70 years since the Bandung Conference, the first international conference that brought together independent Asian and African countries that had overcome colonial rule, took place in Indonesia in April 1955.

The 1955 Asia-Africa Conference adopted the final communique “Bandung Spirit” which declares “ten principles for peace,” including respect for fundamental human rights and the UN Charter; respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations; recognition of the equality of all races and all nations; abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country; and settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means.

The move toward an inclusive peace framework rather than military confrontation is increasing in Asia today, as seen with the example of ASEAN. This proactive and positive movement toward peace is the result of the influence and further development of the Bandung Spirit.

On the other hand, Japan has maintained the “Japan-U.S. military alliance” as an absolute necessity under the thumb of the United States and is now promoting a massive military buildup under U.S. pressure to do so. However, there is no future there. The Bandung Spirit not only spotlights the envisioned trajectory of history but also illuminates the path that Japan should take.