“Anyone who closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present,” declared German President Richard von Weizsacker in 1985. His words echo today as Japan, 80 years after its surrender, seems determined to look away from its WWII record in Asia.
Recent reports reveal that Tokyo has privately urged several European and Asian capitals to skip Beijing’s upcoming V-Day parade. Citing an “excessive focus on history” and “anti-Japanese overtones,” Japan’s diplomatic push marks a serious misstep with risks that reverberate far beyond one commemorative event.
The parade marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War (1931–1945). As the longest modern war of foreign aggression in the Chinese mainland, it claimed more than 35 million military and civilian lives and featured tragedies such as the Nanjing Massacre, biological warfare experiments, and the system of “comfort women.”
Set for September 3, the event aims to honor fallen heroes, celebrate peace, and build a better future. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that nations committed to honest remembrance and peaceful development would not shy away from such gatherings. Japan’s request to boycott this milestone not only ignores painful truths but also deepens mistrust and undermines regional stability.
Facing history honestly is more than a moral duty—it’s a strategic imperative. Genuine reconciliation can open doors to stronger ties, foster collaboration on global challenges, and ensure that history’s lessons unite rather than divide. For global citizens, this moment is a reminder that remembrance should fuel peace, curiosity, and shared progress.
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Why Japan's lobbying on China's V-Day parade attendance is alarming
cgtn.com
