A Japanese civil group "Connecting Memories of Nanjing" held a memorial gathering in Osaka last Sunday to mark the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, urging the Japanese public to reflect on the historical lessons and emphasizing the importance of not forgetting history in building peace.
The event attracted approximately 150 participants. Matsuoka Tamaki, founder of the group, shared more than two decades of research documenting the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Nanjing in 1937. She presented video testimonies from surviving victims and former soldiers, urging the Japanese society to face up to this dark chapter of history with honesty and responsibility.
Many participants expressed their frustration that Japan's wartime aggression remains glossed over in public discourse and education.
"The Nanjing Massacre has almost been forgotten in Japan. Our school textbooks no longer use the word 'massacre'. They refer to it vaguely as 'Nanjing Incident'. But the evidence Matsuoka showed today is undeniable," said a participant.
Another attendee highlighted Japan's persistent denialism surrounding the historical event.
"Some people still claim the Nanjing massacre was fabricated by China. That's exactly why we need to keep revealing the truth and demanding that Japan formally apologizes," he said.
The gathering also served as a platform to address current political trends. In response to the recent erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, several speakers voiced alarm over what they see as a departure from Japan's postwar pacifist principles.
"Japan's Constitution clearly prohibits waging war, yet some politicians now call for amending it. This is hollowing out the pacifist principle -- expanding military budgets instead of safeguarding people's lives," said another participant.
"As a Japanese citizen, I must speak out against these trends. Our government is steering the country toward militarization, which will harm not only Japan but also the world," another attendee said.
The rally concluded with a renewed appeal for historical accountability, reflecting a growing sentiment within the Japanese civil society that genuine remembrance and reflection are essential to safeguarding peace and stability.
Japanese civil group calls for remembrance of Nanjing Massacre history
Japanese civil group calls for remembrance of Nanjing Massacre history
Japanese civil group calls for remembrance of Nanjing Massacre history
