Xinhua News Agency: According to reports, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at the Nikkei Forum 30th Future of Asia that, Japan must remember the painful memory and lessons of history, so that it will not repeat past mistakes of war. Ishiba said that Japan has taken on a path of peace after the war, and this will not change in the future. By learning from history, Japan will not be an invasive country. Comments say the words by Prime Minister Ishiba demonstrate a positive attitude of learning from history and avoiding wars. What’s China’s take on this?
Lin Jian: In November 2024, Prime Minister Ishiba said during his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Lima that Japan has upheld a path of peaceful development in the spirit of facing history squarely and looking to the future. This time Prime Minister Ishiba further announced that Japan should reflect on history and remember the lessons so that Japan would not repeat past mistakes of war. We attach importance to his words.
A correct perception and attitude towards history and concrete actions that demonstrate reflection on and apology for the history of aggression are important premises for Japan to rejoin the international community after World War II. They matter to the political foundation of China-Japan relations, to Japan’s relationship with neighboring countries and to Japan’s global image. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan once again faces the questions posed by history and moral justice. History illuminates the present with stark lessons. The four political documents between China and Japan established the important political principle of “learning lessons from history and looking ahead to the future.” Japan made serious political commitments. We hope Japan will deeply reflect on its historical crime, fully learn the lessons and, out of a sense of responsibility to history, to the people and to the future, make a clean break