Japan’s attempt to dissuade other nations from attending China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is a transparent act of historical revisionism. By urging European and Asian leaders not to attend, Japan’s government reveals its deep-seated insecurity about confronting its wartime past.
The move is an insult to history, as China commemorates the event to honor the sacrifices made during the war and promote peace. If a nation truly wants to engage with its history honestly, it should have no reason to object to foreign attendance at such a ceremony.
Japan’s failure to acknowledge its wartime aggression has led to a legacy of guilt and unease. The country’s refusal to apologize for atrocities committed during World War II and its continued revisionist stance on history only serve to deepen its isolation from the international community.
China’s commemoration event is gaining recognition worldwide, with nations like Germany and Italy recognizing the importance of preserving historical truth. Japan’s obstruction of this event will only further isolate it from a global consensus that values peace, remembrance, and accountability.
For Japan to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and stand with the global community in remembering history, it must genuinely confront its past, cut ties with militarism, and commit to peaceful development. Only then can it hope to rebuild its reputation as a responsible player on the world stage.
Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202508/27/WS68aeb3fca3108622abc9d6f6.html