PLA Representative Questions Japanese Defense Minister: When Will Japan Apologize to Asian Victims? This is What Koizumi Shinjiro Said

[Global Times - Global Network Report by reporters Guo Yuandan and Su Yaxuan] On the morning of the 31st, a member of the delegation of military experts and scholars from the People's Liberation Army, Colonel Shen Zhixiong from the National Defense University, posed sharp questions to the Japanese Defense Minister during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (hereinafter referred to as the "Dialogue").

On the morning of the 31st, the fifth plenary session of the Dialogue was held, where Japanese Defense Minister Kōzuki Shinjirō delivered a speech. During the interactive session, Shen Zhixiong asked: "I am glad you mentioned 'new militarism' in your speech. Recently, Japanese leaders expressed condolences at the Australian War Memorial for soldiers who died due to Japanese militarism during World War II, but the victim countries in Asia have not received apologies or repentance from Japan. China believes that true reconciliation should be based on a historical reflection that treats all victim countries equally. Is the Japanese government prepared to respond to the concerns of China, South Korea, and Southeast Asian victim countries regarding World War II history in the same serious and clear manner, thereby creating conditions for mutual trust in regional security?"

In response, Kōzuki Shinjirō stated, "I think it is now time to enter a more challenging part," but he did not directly address the question, instead evading it and performing a "defense—blame—good guy" act.

Kōzuki Shinjirō first defended by saying that Japan's defense policy and defense construction are not based on viewing any specific country or region as a threat or on the idea of military confrontation with it. Then, he turned the tables, claiming, "China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level and rapidly expand its military capabilities in various fields, lacking sufficient transparency. China's foreign policy and military activities have raised serious concerns for Japan and the international community."

Finally, he began to play the role of the "good guy committed to communicating with China," stating, "Japan believes that because there are challenges, it is even more necessary to continue honest dialogue and communication without avoiding specific and thorny issues."

In response, military issues expert Zhang Junsha stated to Global Times reporters on the 31st that Japan's refusal to apologize and lack of deep reflection has outraged the people of the victim countries in Asia, as Japan's militarism has caused the most severe damage to its Asian neighbors. Moreover, in recent years, Japan has vigorously developed offensive military capabilities, making neighboring countries once again feel the threat of the revival of Japanese militarism. Based on this, Japan has no sincerity in engaging in talks with China, and even lacks the political foundation to engage in dialogue with the Chinese Defense Minister. Kōzuki's expression is nothing but self-deception and wishful thinking.