China criticises Japan at UN exhibition on Tokyo Trial anniversary
The New York exhibition features courtroom photographs and material on the Nanjing incident, commemorating 80 years since the Tokyo Trial began.
- At a UN exhibition marking the anniversary of the Tokyo Trial, China's ambassador accused Japanese right-wing forces of trying to whitewash Japan's history of aggression.
- The Chinese envoy also criticized Japan's current government for promoting a "new form of militarism," citing the easing of limits on defense equipment exports.
- China specifically condemned visits by Japanese cabinet members to the Yasukuni Shrine, which is seen as a symbol of past militarism for honoring convicted war criminals.
- In response, an official from Japan's UN mission stated that China's claims were "factually incorrect" and that Japan would continue to communicate its position.
Photographs from the Tokyo Trial went on display at United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday (October 26), as China marked 80 years since the proceedings began.
The tribunal, formally the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, prosecuted Japan’s Second World War leaders.
At the opening, China’s UN ambassador, Fu Cong, said the exhibition was intended to remind the world that aggression must not be whitewashed.
He argued that Japanese right-wing forces were trying to play down Japan’s history of aggression while questioning the tribunal’s legitimacy.
An official at Japan’s UN mission declined to elaborate when speaking to Jiji Press, but stated that the Japanese government “has rebutted China’s claims, which are factually incorrect”.
The official added: “Japan will continue to communicate its position and views to international society in a timely and appropriate manner.”
Beijing has recently intensified its campaign against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration, which it claims is promoting a new form of militarism.
Fu’s other criticisms included Tokyo’s recent easing of limits on defence equipment exports.
He also criticised Japanese cabinet members for visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
Its commemoration of Japanese war criminals alongside Japan’s war dead is why it is seen as a symbol of the country’s past militarism.
China’s UN mission organised “Justice and Peace for All Humanity”, which runs until Friday.
In addition to the courtroom images, it features materials concerning the so-called Nanjing incident and other exhibits.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
