Looking at the results of the approval process for Japan's middle school history and civics textbooks you do not see very much in the way of improvement, despite the Japanese government's explanations. Korean experts who have seen the finalized textbooks say that while some points have been improved on there is no small amount of content is worse than current textbooks. Descriptions of Dokdo in civics textbooks are worse than they used to be.
The results of the textbook approval process are as disappointing as can be since they were of great interest as something with which to measure the future of ties between Korea and Japan, which have been become strained. He feel we have to note that those who are leading Japan are lacking in historical and philosophy understanding and are stuck in their own closed obstinacy. It goes without saying that history and civics textbooks are important tools for fostering the growth of the young generation as cultured democratic citizens who know how to live together with their neighbors without prejudice. When neighboring nations like Korea express particular interest in Japanese textbook revision it is not imprudent interference in another country's affairs it is because they want future generations to receive the right kind of education that serves as a basis for peace and prosperity.
Behind the increasingly ultranationalist and exclusivist tone of some of the textbooks lies a mood in Japan that has that country turning leaning towards the right. Far right and old establishment figures in politics, big business, the media, and artistic circles are the main players actively pushing that mood. These are people who condemn neighboring nations' calls for Japan to properly face its history by saying they are harassing Japan with no legitimate reason. When Korea and China criticize Japan's regressive turn to the right Japan says it’s a political trick designed to shore up weak domestic support. Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara, the man with a single cell view of the word, was typical about the approach to President Roh Moo Hyun's criticism of Japan when Ishihara said the criticism was "third rate politics."
One of the most common statements coming from Japan's conservative old establishment is "What are we supposed to do when we've self-reflected and apologized endlessly?" It is a clear fact that the emperor and prime minister go to diplomatic events and issue prefabricated statements of apology for history. But before the lingering mood from that is gone, some high-ranking official in the ruling party or member of the cabinet says something meant to glorify Japan's colonial rule of Korea or claim that things like the crimes against humanity such as the Nanking massacre or the "comfort women" are fabrications. What that does is make the self-reflection and apologies sound like empty words to those who were scarred by history.
We have much praise for the way Japan, following its defeat in World War II, has grown into an economic powerhouse atop its foundation in the "peace constitution." And we are not opposed when Japan says it will play a role in the international community that is commensurate with its economic strength. But there is an important premise to that, namely that Japan is reborn as a good neighbor. Concretely that would involve thorough reflection on colonial rule and wars of aggression, and that it truly apologizes to those who suffered as a result. It will not be trusted if it just keeps on repeating that the San Francisco peace treaty and the international agreement between each country legally ended all clarification of the wrongs of the past while saying the war was a "war of Asian liberation."
With support from the United States, Japan is sparing no effort in trying to obtain permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It sends government representatives to where the votes are, at events sponsored by Africa and Middle and South America, where they pledge massive amounts of development aid. Japan is even sending troops to Sudan, in Africa, where it has almost no historical connections. How persuasive will the effort be if Japan pursues that without having won the trust of neighboring nations?
What is important is that despite the rampant behavior of some right wing forces in Japan, which still have not rid themselves of historical delusions, there are signs of hope for reconciliation and cooperation in Northeast Asia. We have on many occasions applauded the devoted effort of Japanese civic groups for keeping textbooks with historical distortions published by Fuhosha selected at less than 1 percent of schools 4 years ago. These groups are strengthening their alliances with Korean and Chinese civic groups, based on their experience from that struggle. We do not hesitate to believe that if sensible individuals of intellect in Japan join in the effort an era of Northeast Asian reconciliation and cooperation will not be far off.
The Hankyoreh, 6 April 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Hope Despite Japan's Problematic Textbooks |
