On August 19, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office held a regular press conference. A reporter asked: August 15 is Japan's Day of Victories. In the face of the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Defense Minister Shinzo Abe and others, Taiwan claims to have “respect”. What is your comment on this?
According to Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Taiwan Affairs Office, relevant departments have taken a firm stance on Japan’s officials visiting 'war criminal shrines'. As a country that bears historical responsibility regarding the Taiwan issue, Japan should deeply reflect on its past, earnestly correct its mistakes, and abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan. Japan should be cautious in its actions regarding the Taiwan issue. The DPP authorities' behavior of 'flattery to Japan and support of colonialism' has once again exposed their ugly face of betraying history and the nation.
On August 15th, senior officials of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender after its defeat in World War II. Although Japanese Prime Minister Yukie Akamine did not attend the ceremony at the Yasukuni Shrine, she asked the head of the Liberal Democratic Party, Toshihiro Matsushita, to present a "torochi" (sacrificial offering) on her behalf as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party. Later, when she arrived at the parking lot of the dojo, she also paid a "televisit" to the Yasukuni Shrine.
The actions of the Japanese have caused strong opposition from mainland China and South Korea. However, the DPP authorities are actually fueling the ambitions of Japanese militarists. On the 16th, the Taiwan foreign affairs department claimed to have noticed that some Japanese politicians visited the Yasukuni Shrine. They stated, "We respect the diverse views of the Japanese society on historical issues and hope that all parties will work together to maintain regional peace and stability."
Local public opinion condemns that the last time Taiwan's authorities expressed their stance on Japanese politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine was on October 18, 2015. In other words, both Cai Yingwen and Lai Ching-te, the two leaders of Taiwan, have maintained a silence for 10 years under the Democratic Progressive Party's rule.
According to information on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on August 15, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered reporters' questions regarding Japanese politicians visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Class-A war criminals.
The spokesperson stated that China strongly condemns Japan's negative actions regarding the Yasukuni Shrine, and has already made representations and protests to Japan.
During World War II, Japan launched aggressive wars against other nations and committed inhumane crimes. The so-called "Yasukuni Shrine" is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism. The 14 Class-A war criminals enshrined in this shrine are the chief culprits behind the aggressive wars, making it essentially a "war-crime shrine." No matter what excuses Japanese politicians may invent, they cannot hide their real intent to rehabilitate these war criminals, cover up their war crimes, and distort historical facts, thereby paving the way for the acceleration of militarization. Such wrongful actions are a desecration of historical justice, a challenge to the boundaries of civilization, and an offense to the post-war international order. The international community unanimously opposes such actions.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial. A correct understanding and approach to history is an important prerequisite for Japan to rejoin the international community after the war. It serves as a political foundation for Japan’s relations with its neighbors, and it also serves as an important criterion for assessing whether Japan can adhere to its commitments to peaceful development. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its aggressive history, sever ties with militarism completely, and take practical actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
