Hey fam, this Aug 15 marked the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in WWII, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shook things up by using the word 'remorse' for the first time since 2012 at the annual memorial in Tokyo's iconic Nippon Budokan arena. 🇯🇵🕊️
With over 4,500 people—among them aging survivors—gathered to honor the war dead, Ishiba stressed that 'we will never again take the path to war' and urged us to pass down the 'painful memories' so lessons stay alive for future generations. 🔍📜
But here's the twist: unlike some of his predecessors, Ishiba's 'remorse' wasn't aimed at the suffering Japan caused in other Asian countries, but at the process that led Japan into war. Think of it like apologizing for a bad app design without calling out the bugs it caused in user data—important, but not the full story. 🤷♂️🔧
Since 1994, when ex-PM Tomiichi Murayama said he felt 'deep remorse' for WWII, every PM until 2012 used the term. Then Shinzo Abe scrapped it in 2013, and 'remorse' went MIA—until now. No wonder Japan's right-leaning group Nippon Kaigi called Ishiba's move a 'political maneuver,' and even some LDP insiders fretted it might reopen 'apology diplomacy.' 🤔⚖️
In a move stirring more debate, Ishiba sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine—an ultra-controversial site that honors Japan's war dead, including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals. And Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the shrine, the first cabinet minister to do so under Ishiba's watch. 🏯⚡
Over in Tokyo, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said China 'urges Japan to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression,' make a clean break from militarism, and build trust with Asian neighbours through real actions. 🌏🤝
Meanwhile in Seoul, ROK President Lee Jae-myung noted a 'long, fraught history' between the two countries at a ceremony marking Korea's Liberation Day. He called on Japan to 'squarely face up to our painful history' and work toward mutual trust as we move into the future. 🇰🇷🤝🇯🇵
Whether you're scrolling news feeds in Mumbai, Jakarta, or Manila, Ishiba's speech shows how history still shapes Asia's politics today. For us digital natives, it's a reminder that learning from the past—warts and all—is key to building a more peaceful future. Let's keep the convo going! 🌐✨ #HistoryMatters
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
