Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 August 28 - September 3 [HISTORY]

Japan should have correct understanding of the past: UN chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on August 26 told reporters in Seoul that the Japanese government should have “the right view of history”, referring to Japan’s souring relations with China and South Korea.

Asked about neighboring countries’ concerns over Tokyo’s moves to revise its war-renouncing Constitution, Ban said, “Having the right view of history is key.” He went on to say, “I believe that the Japanese leaders should have great reflection, insight and vision to look forward.” He added that this will bring to Japan respect and trust from other nations.

The following day, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide expressed his displeasure over Ban’s remarks, saying, “I feel a strong sense of doubt about that.” He went on to say, “I want to ask Ban to explain what he really meant by his comment.”

On August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II, three cabinet members of the Abe administration visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine, which was a symbol of Japan’s war of aggression, honors several war criminals and has openly advocated that the war was a just one for Japan’s “self-existence and self-defense”. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo also sent his aide to the shrine and offered a sprig of a sacred tree. When questioned about his recognition of Japan’s past aggression and colonial rule over other Asian nations, Abe obstinately refused to admit Japan’s mistakes, saying, “The word ‘aggression’ has yet to be defined clearly.”

The postwar international order is based on a strong determination never to repeat a war of aggression like the one triggered by Japan, Germany and Italy, on which the UN was established as well. It is only natural for the UN head to be worried about Tokyo’s moves to adversely change its pacifist Constitution.

The Abe government should sincerely listen to what Ban said.