The Japanese government has told publishers to include mention that Dokdo is "Japanese land" in high school textbooks to be used in that country next year. The Japanese education ministry did the same last year with middle school textbooks, and this latest news is lamentable in that it confirms that the Japanese government has not corrected its misled understanding of history. Its repeated distortions of history go directly against basic Korea-Japan relations.
Aside from the Dokdo issue, in the course of textbook approval the Japanese government has been glossing over Japan's other past wrongs, including the use of "comfort women," forcing Koreans to adopt Japanese names, and the Nanking massacre, all areas in which Japan has clear responsibility. Japan's distortions of history are nothing new. But it is inexcusable that instead of reflecting on the past, it is actually intensifying its shameless approach to glorifying its war of aggression.
On March 1, our two countries began to bring change to the relationship with moves like giving permanent mutual tourism visa exemptions. One does have the vague hope that things will improve after Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi steps down in the fall. To have this happen at such a time makes Koreans think this is a Japan they cannot trust.
The government needs to respond firmly to Japanese territorial claims on Dokdo. It must do the same about distortions of history. There needs to be an end to the Japanese prime minister's visits to worship at Yasukuni shrine. Taking an appeasing attitude with talk about improving relations and increasing exchange will only further complicate the situation. Resolving the problem depends entirely on a change of attitude by Japan.
The Hankyoreh, 31 March 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Responding to Japan's Continued 'Provocations' |
