For better regional relations in future, Japan must confront its past

In the past, Abe has justified shrine visits by members of his Cabinet, saying it is natural for them to pay respect to war dead who sacrificed their lives for Japan. But South Korea and China, both victims of Japan’s imperial ambitions, have opposed this because they perceive the visits as attempts to sugarcoat Japan’s colonial past.

It is not their Yasukuni visits alone that have bolstered the belief, held by both Koreans and Chinese, that Japan is whitewashing its colonial past. This perception was strengthened when Abe said: “The definition of aggression has yet to be established, both academically and internationally. It has to do with relations between countries and differs depending on one’s vantage point.”

Abe’s de facto denial of the sufferings Japan inflicted on its neighbours ran counter to a 1995 statement by then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama, who expressed remorse and offered an apology over Japan’s colonial rule and wartime aggression. Another problem with Abe is that he also denies the historical fact that Korean and other Asian women were forced into Japan’s military brothels.

No wonder then that Japanese-Korean relations have been at a low ebb since Abe was installed as prime minister a year ago. Abe has since called for Japanese-South Korean summit talks, only to see his proposal turned down. Park must wonder whether it is necessary to meet him, given they are bound to disagree on key historical issues.

South Korea used to put Japan before China in its foreign policy when its two neighbours were competing for leadership in Asia. This foreign policy is now changing in favour of Chinese relations, as evidenced by Park’s visit to Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping earlier in the year. 

If it wishes to ascend to the pedestal of regional leadership, as it does, Japan will need the courage to look squarely at its shameful past and come to terms with its historical wrongdoings. A first step in this regard will be to find a way to honour its war dead without injuring the feelings of its neighbours.