Sophistry Cannot Alter History: Commentary

Just at the time when the new edition middle-school history textbook by Japan's "new history textbook compilation committee", which denies the history of aggression, was subjected to stern criticism by China, Korea and the ROK, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara recently came out with the clamor: "the examination and approval of the textbook involves Japan's sovereignty". "Foreign countries overrated themselves when they expressed great worries about this. Now is not the time for foreign countries to make thoughtless comments on this". Obviously, Shintaro Ishihara is deliberately putting on a rival show against the Asian countries. The sophistry, designed to delineate the textbook question within the scope of Japanese sovereignty merits our vigilance.

As a representative of Japan's diehard right-wing forces, Shintaro Ishihara has, for many years, continuously put on ugly performances, now he jumps out to give many fantastic talks on the textbook issue, this indicates that it is difficult to alter his nature. He has all along been noisily advocating extreme nationalism. In the 1980s, he agitated the build-up of an international political power commensurate with economic strength under the banner of "restoring national self-confidence". On the question regarding the history of aggression launched by Japan in those years, Shintaro not only advocates refusal to admit guilt and even simply beautifies and denies the historical fact of aggression. On several occasions, he paid respect to the spirit tablets of Japanese militarist chieftains at Yasukunni Shrine, he has so far clung to his obstinate right-wing stand.

It is known to all that the reason why the textbook issue recently once again aroused people's concern lies in the fact that in the new edition of the teaching materials, the "new history textbook compilation committee" brazenly tampers with history and the science department of Japan's Ministry of Education took an ambiguous attitude when it examined and approved the textbook. Such practice of ignoring historical facts and denying Japanese troops' acts of aggression has naturally met with the resolute resistance by all just-minded people, any sophistry designed to absolve history twisters of blame is futile. Shintaro vainly attempted to resist the just voice of various Asian countries under the pretext that examination and approval of the textbook involves Japan's sovereignty, so as to clear off all political obstacles and diplomatic pressure and get the history-distorting new edition textbook to pass examination and approval. Judged from Shintaro's influence among Japanese right-wing forces, his sophistry is obviously not the opinion of individuals, but rather it represents a dangerous trend.

It must be noted that the compilation and approval of Japan's history textbook has its special international political significance, it is in no way merely a matter coming within the scope of Japan's sovereignty. The war of aggression launched by Japanese militarists in those years that inflicted great harm on the Asian people is an ironclad historical fact. Now when this phase of history is described in the textbook, it is only a matter of course for Japan to objectively and accurately approach the matter and particularly to take the feelings of the people of the invaded countries into consideration. However, the fact that incidents of textbooks distorting history occurred twice in Japan during the 1980s has chilled the hearts of just-minded people, and has jeopardized the normal relations between Japan and various Asian nations.

In view of this, the Japanese government has made clear-cut promise that it would "proceed from the angle of getting international understanding and international cooperation and give necessary consideration" to the textbook issue. Shintaro, who holds important position as Tokyo Governor, should be very clear about this. That is to say, because the textbook issue concerns whether or not Japan can correctly understand and treat the historical fact of aggression and whether or not it can give the people of various victimized countries clear explanations about this, any just-minded people, particularly various Asian countries which were trampled underfoot by Japanese troops in those year, have the right to express great concern over this, and all the more have the right to urge the Japanese side to compile and examine and approve history textbooks on the basis of international justice and intuitive knowledge of humankind.

If Japan could have long ago correctly treated the historical facts of aggression launched in those years, then such disgusting conducts as tampering with history in the textbook by the "new history textbook compilation committee" should have been fully and effectively curbed. It is regrettable, however, that there have all along existed two diametrically opposed historical views, some right-wing diehards are unwilling to look squarely at the history of aggression in those years, many of them have long been holding important positions in the Japanese political circles, they use their political influence to continue to absolve those who deny the history of aggression of their responsibilities, Shintaro is the most typical representative of them. It is thus clear that so long as right-wing diehards like Shintaro remain active, it is very hard for Japan to thoroughly settle the account regarding its history of aggression, incidents of textbooks tampering with historical facts will sooner or later re-surface. This cannot but spark the high vigilance and worries of just-minded people in Japan and various Asian nations.

Sophistry cannot alter history. In the face of the strong voices of justice, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori clearly indicated on March 12 that he would examine and approve the history textbook in the spirit of offering an apology and making self-examination expressed by former Prime Minister Murayama Tomichi to various Asian countries in 1995.Obviously, this is an expression of a relatively positive attitude. It is hoped that the Japanese government would accord its deeds with its words and, with a rigorous attitude of respecting historical facts, free itself from the seduction of the sophistry of Shintaro and other right-wing diehards, solve the textbook issue as early as possible and give the people of Japan and other Asian peoples an explicit account about the matter.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/