Activists at a seminar held by the Association for Promoting the Return of Chinese Cultural Relics in Tokyo have urged the Japanese government to face up to the history of aggression and returned the Chinese cultural relics looted from China during the war.
Akira Igarashi, a co-representative of the association, pointed out the illegality of bringing these cultural relics to Japan.
"Fundamentally, these cultural relics were looted during Japan's war of aggression against China. In other words, they were brought into Japan illegally in violation against the law. Therefore, they are commonly referred to as 'looted cultural relics' in Japan," said Igarashi.
In recent years, some Japanese right-wing figures have even referred to the tendency to face up to the history of aggression and make profound reflections as a "masochistic view of history."
As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials, Japanese scholars have stated that Japan should reflect on history and take the return of cultural relics as an opportunity to apologize.
"These cultural relics tell the story of what happened in East Asia in modern times. The Japanese, in particular, should listen carefully to the messages conveyed by these looted artifacts," said Igarashi.
"Japan's history of aggression is very clear. After the war, the crimes of aggression committed by Japan were gradually made public and confirmed. It was on the basis of reflecting on this history that postwar Japan was able to start anew. Taking what belongs to others is wrong, and returning things to their rightful owner is a fundamental principle," said Tsukuo Toukairin, vice president of the Tokyo Metropolitan Association of History Educators.
Activists urge Japan to face up to history, return looted cultural relics to China
