摘要：In a now-famous 1985 speech marking the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) in Europe, Richard von Weizsacker, who
By Chen Guifang
In a now-famous 1985 speech marking the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) in Europe, Richard von Weizsacker, who served as the first president of the reunited Germany, declared "Anyone who closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present."
The truth of Weizsacker's words continues to resonate, as Japan, 80 years since its surrender in 1945, still seems intent on closing its eyes to its history of aggression against China and other Asian neighbors during WWII.
Recent Japanese media reports reveal that Tokyo, citing "an excessive focus on history" and "anti-Japanese overtones," has used diplomatic channels to urge European and Asian leaders to skip Beijing's upcoming V-Day parade, an event intended to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace and build a better future.
Japan's reported request is a serious diplomatic misstep that not only risks deepening its already strained relationship with China, but also highlights its reluctance to confront its wartime past, a dangerous stance that fuels historical tensions and erodes regional peace and stability.
Rather than working toward honest historical reconciliation and winning trust from China and its Asian neighbors, Japan is attempting to undermine a significant national event for China.
The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, fought from 1931 to 1945, was the longest and largest fight against foreign aggression in modern Chinese history, marked by immense sacrifice that ultimately resulted in the Chinese people's first complete victory for national liberation.
To honor the 80th anniversary of this historic turning point, China has been holding a series of commemorative events, which will culminate on September 3 with a military parade to which foreign leaders have been invited.
As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, countries that faced up to history honestly and sincerely, learnt from history and truly committed themselves to peaceful development would not have misgivings about these events, let alone raise objections. Yet, Japan has reportedly requested other countries to skip the parade. This is an act of diplomatic immaturity, driven by a desire to avoid uncomfortable truths.
In a staggering loss of lives, the 14-year aggression of Japan resulted in over 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties. Additionally, the Japanese military committed horrific war crimes in China, including the Nanjing Massacre, biological warfare experiments and the system of "comfort women," or sex slaves for Japanese soldiers.
However, a dangerous trend is taking root in Japan. The Japanese government's attempt to dampen China's remembrance of the war is a dangerous example of this trend, risking a backlash that could not only stoke deeper resentment but also reinforce the impression in Asia that the country remains in a state of historical denial.
Ultimately, Japan's effort to influence how another nation commemorates its history of suffering, or to dictate whether one should attend a diplomatic event or not, is an arrogant and offensive act that seeks to minimize its own war crimes.
For Japan to genuinely move beyond historical issues, it needs to sincerely face and reflect on its past aggression. It must make a clean break with militarism and remain committed to peaceful development. Only by showing respect for the sentiments of people in China and other victim nations, can Japan earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the international community.
As former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama once said, "as descendants, we must apologize to the victims of the war, for so many innocent people were deprived of their lives by the Japanese troops, and we should directly express our genuine apologies."
Chen Guifang is a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN.
来源：中国网一点号
