This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. From the September 18 Incident in 1931 to Emperor Hirohito’s Imperial Rescript on August 15, 1945, history drew in 61 countries, more than 2 billion people and resulted in over 90 million casualties worldwide.
On the Asian front—the earliest and longest theater of WWII—China stood as a main force resisting Japanese militarism. Chinese people’s resilience not only protected their homeland but also upheld international justice and shaped the global peace that followed.
Japan’s unconditional surrender, accepting the Potsdam Proclamation, marked the end of overt aggression. However, the onset of the Cold War and shifts in U.S. policy left many postwar reforms incomplete, opening the door to revisionist narratives.
By the late 20th century, right-wing forces in Japan began to challenge established history. In 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a statement expressing "deep remorse and heartfelt apology" for wartime aggression. Two decades later, in 2015, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe insisted that "Japanese people born after the war should not be obliged to apologize," sidestepping colonial wrongs.
Revisionist provocations extended to statements by figures like Toru Hashimoto, who argued for the "necessity" of wartime "comfort women," and Taro Aso, who suggested learning from the Nazis on constitutional changes. These claims clash with basic morality and clear definitions of aggression laid out in international law, from the 1928 Kellogg–Briand Pact to the 1974 United Nations resolution on the definition of aggression.
Restoring historical truth is not about assigning fresh blame but about building a shared understanding. Accurate history empowers global citizens to engage in informed debates on human rights, international law and the true cost of conflict.
Though the guns have been silent for decades, the lessons of the past remain urgent. Upholding historical accuracy is the first step toward safeguarding a peaceful future for all.
Reference(s):
Restoring historical truth: First step toward safeguarding peace
cgtn.com
