Chinese Delegation Urges Japan for Apology on War Crimes

In a significant move, a Chinese association organized a delegation to Japan, representing the descendants of Chinese civilians affected by wartime atrocities, and presented a petition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. This appeal, made on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, demands a formal apology from the Japanese government to the victims and the Chinese people.

Guan Jianqiang, a representative from the Society for Safeguarding the Historical Facts of China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, expressed the delegation's primary demand for Japan to acknowledge its historical responsibilities and apologize sincerely. Ma Yan, whose ancestry includes a victim of bacteriological warfare, stressed the importance of Japan accepting its role as the aggressor, highlighting that despite its defeat, Japan has yet to deliver a genuine apology or admit its guilt.

The event was attended by notable figures, including Mizuho Fukushima, a leader of Japan's Social Democratic Party, and Masataka Mori, a recognized expert on germ warfare. They backed the delegation's demands and addressed concerns regarding attempts by some Japanese politicians to downplay the nation's wartime history. They emphasized the necessity for Japan to confront its past, suggesting that only through this acknowledgment can society move forward and prevent the repetition of such mistakes.

Mori reflected on the significance of the descendants' visit to Japan, noting that their firsthand experiences provided a poignant narrative to the history. Fukushima reiterated the importance of accepting historical facts, asserting that without a sincere assessment of the past, Japan would struggle to create a positive future for its society.