A Japanese civic group is holding a public exhibition of historical photographs in Yokohama detailing the atrocities committed by their military in China during World War II, urging the Japanese government to face history squarely.
Many visitors at exhibition expressed concern that Japan's history of aggression is being deliberately downplayed, and that the younger generation lacks a complete and truthful understanding of the Japanese government's aggressive past. They stressed that this trend was worrying. They also said that the Japanese government's recent moves toward military expansion and constitutional revision are closely linked to the evasion of its historical crimes and lack of genuine reflection.
"We see that Japan seems to be on the verge of danger again, making it all the more necessary to re-examine history," said a visitor.
"It is hard to say that the Japanese government has truly reflected on its past. Germany has been much more thorough in this regard, while Japan seems to have consistently evaded it, thus making it difficult to see genuine reflection," said another visitor.
"Passing down historical facts to the next generation is extremely important. History is continuous. It is because of the past that we have the present. A series of war crimes by Japanese troops during their invasion of China, including the Nanjing Massacre, forced labor, and the forced recruitment of 'comfort women,' are being continuously removed by the Japanese government, which is deeply worrying," said Japanese historian Masataka Mori.
Many visitors said that only by upholding the Article 9 of the pacifist Constitution can Japan protect its hard-won peace and prevent history from repeating itself.
"Some people want to amend the Constitution to make war possible. Therefore, this must be resolutely stopped. I oppose amending the Constitution," said a visitor.
"I believe the Constitution's Article 9 should be upheld. If there were a national referendum, I would certainly vote to uphold the Constitution. It is the current Constitution that protects Japan's peace," a visitor said.
Japanese civil group holds exhibition, urges gov't to face history squarely
Japanese civil group holds exhibition, urges gov't to face history squarely
