Japanese Media Criticizes Display Glorifying Former Imperial Army at Self-Defense Force Base
Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, November 11 (Reporter Chen Ze'an, Liang Chen) The Japanese newspaper "Akahata" published an editorial on the 10th, criticizing the presence of exhibitions that glorify the old Japanese military within the facilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) bases, pointing out that this is a fundamental issue concerning the nature of the Self-Defense Forces.
The editorial reveals that at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Asahikawa garrison in Hokkaido, there is an exhibition titled "The 7th Division and the Greater East Asia War" at the "Kitachin Memorial Hall." The term "Greater East Asia War" was used by the cabinet of Hideki Tojo to glorify the invasion as "liberating Asia." At the Maritime Self-Defense Force educational institution in Etajima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, there is an exhibition in the "Maritime Self-Defense Force History Zone," which is described as a place that inherits the traditions of the old Imperial Japanese Navy and has a unique atmosphere. At the Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma base in Saitama Prefecture, the "Shubutai Memorial Hall" openly displays the old Imperial Japanese Navy's special attack weapon "Sakura Type 11" and has set up a "Special Attack Personnel Recognition Room" to affirm and glorify special attack operations. The editorial states that the Japan Self-Defense Forces are also systematically taking actions to glorify the old Japanese military and attempting to establish connections with it.
The editorial points out that what the old Japanese military did was not to defend the country, but to wage wars of aggression against countries like China.
The editorial emphasizes that the Japanese people do not want a Self-Defense Force that glorifies the atrocities of the old Japanese military. What the Self-Defense Forces truly need to do is to face the historical fact of Japan's waging of aggressive wars, learn the painful lessons that brought disaster both domestically and internationally, and ultimately reflect this spirit in the Japanese Constitution.
The editorial notes that some current and former officials of the Self-Defense Forces glorify the old Japanese military, which is backed by the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and right-wing politicians in the ruling camp who openly glorify Japan's wars of aggression.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces faced criticism for glorifying the former Imperial Japanese Army in their facilities, as highlighted in a November 10 editorial. Exhibits in locations such as Asahikawa and Etajima reference the 'Greater East Asia War', prompting concerns about the military's portrayal of Japan's wartime actions. The editorial calls for a recognition of Japan's historical aggression and condemns attempts by officials to beautify the past.
- Japan's Self-Defense Forces criticized for glorifying the former Imperial Japanese Army.
- Exhibits in military facilities include references to the 'Greater East Asia War'.
- The editorial emphasizes the need for the Self-Defense Forces to confront Japan's wartime history.
- Current and former officials are accused of attempting to beautify the actions of the old Imperial Army.
- The criticism is linked to right-wing politicians in the Japanese government.