Japan should face history squarely, like Germany did
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has triggered international sympathy by indirectly urging Japan to "face history squarely.''
In a public lecture hosted in Tokyo Monday, she said, "This (reconciliation) was possible first because Germany did face its past squarely, but also because the Allied Powers who controlled Germany after World War II attached great importance to Germany coming to grips with its past.'' The German leader also urged Japan to improve relations with South Korea and China during a press conference after her summit talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Merkel's remarks were taken as roundabout criticism of the Japanese leader who has been glossing over Japan's wartime atrocities. Given that the leader of a foreign country usually avoids sensitive advice while visiting other countries, her remarks sound unusual. But the fact that she made such remarks in Japan in public is proof that Korea's neighboring country is going in the wrong direction.
Germany and Japan have a lot in common historically. Both triggered World War II, and following their respective defeats, Germany was divided and Japan came under America's occupation.
But when it comes to addressing the past, the two countries have taken glaringly different paths over the last 70 years.
German leaders have repeated contrition for wartime misdeeds. Regardless of their ideological orientation, they shared the notion that "remembering war crimes during the period of Nazism is a collective responsibility that the entire German society should assume.'' In her speech at a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation in January, Merkel said Germans have an "everlasting responsibility'' to preserve the memories of Nazi crimes. As a result of these efforts, no one believes that present-day Germany was descended from Nazism.
On the contrary, Japan has reiterated apologies and reversals. Abe, in particular, who came into power in late 2012, has shown such regressive moves and has even denied previous apologies. He and his cabinet ministers have been trying to undermine the two landmark statements that acknowledged coercion in mobilizing sex slaves and apologized for Japan's wartime aggression. Abe has visited the Yasukuni Shrine that commemorates 14 Class-A war criminals despite protests by Japan's neighboring countries.
There is a wide gap in status in the international community between Germany and Japan as a result of this contrasting behavior.
The former has emerged as a key European country and retains a greater say in all international issues.
But the latter has been fettered by its dubious position on the past, which remains the seed of conflict and division in East Asia. It's natural therefore that Japan's neighboring countries, including South Korea, raise suspicions about Japan's rightward shift.
Korea-averse sentiment is widespread in Japan with some nationalists arguing that Japan has apologized enough. Korea needs to heed these points and show "generous gestures,'' as Merkel suggested.
What's needed most, however, is for Japan to face history squarely like Germany and rewrite a new history of partnership with its neighbors.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has triggered international sympathy by indirectly urging Japan to "face history squarely.''
In a public lecture hosted in Tokyo Monday, she said, "This (reconciliation) was possible first because Germany did face its past squarely, but also because the Allied Powers who controlled Germany after World War II attached great importance to Germany coming to grips with its past.'' The German leader also urged Japan to improve relations with South Korea and China during a press conference after her summit talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Merkel's remarks were taken as roundabout criticism of the Japanese leader who has been glossing over Japan's wartime atrocities. Given that the leader of a foreign country usually avoids sensitive advice while visiting other countries, her remarks sound unusual. But the fact that she made such remarks in Japan in public is proof that Korea's neighboring country is going in the wrong direction.
Germany and Japan have a lot in common historically. Both triggered World War II, and following their respective defeats, Germany was divided and Japan came under America's occupation.
But when it comes to addressing the past, the two countries have taken glaringly different paths over the last 70 years.
German leaders have repeated contrition for wartime misdeeds. Regardless of their ideological orientation, they shared the notion that "remembering war crimes during the period of Nazism is a collective responsibility that the entire German society should assume.'' In her speech at a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation in January, Merkel said Germans have an "everlasting responsibility'' to preserve the memories of Nazi crimes. As a result of these efforts, no one believes that present-day Germany was descended from Nazism.
On the contrary, Japan has reiterated apologies and reversals. Abe, in particular, who came into power in late 2012, has shown such regressive moves and has even denied previous apologies. He and his cabinet ministers have been trying to undermine the two landmark statements that acknowledged coercion in mobilizing sex slaves and apologized for Japan's wartime aggression. Abe has visited the Yasukuni Shrine that commemorates 14 Class-A war criminals despite protests by Japan's neighboring countries.
There is a wide gap in status in the international community between Germany and Japan as a result of this contrasting behavior.
The former has emerged as a key European country and retains a greater say in all international issues.
But the latter has been fettered by its dubious position on the past, which remains the seed of conflict and division in East Asia. It's natural therefore that Japan's neighboring countries, including South Korea, raise suspicions about Japan's rightward shift.
Korea-averse sentiment is widespread in Japan with some nationalists arguing that Japan has apologized enough. Korea needs to heed these points and show "generous gestures,'' as Merkel suggested.
What's needed most, however, is for Japan to face history squarely like Germany and rewrite a new history of partnership with its neighbors.
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