In the face of over 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre, any fabricated historical narrative is a disgrace to human civilization. The history of wartime aggression cannot be rewritten by the sophistry of far-right Japanese politicians. On the contrary, deep reflection on its history of aggression is the only way forward for Japan. According to a global online survey conducted by CGTN, 82.7 percent of respondents believe Japan can only return to the international community as a normal country by thoroughly reckoning with its historical crimes and eradicating militarist ideology.

Japanese militarism launched wars of aggression against China and other Asian countries under the pretext of so-called survival-threatening situations, marking one of the darkest chapters in human history. The survey shows that 89.4 percent of respondents believe Japan, as a nation that has waged wars of aggression, should exercise caution in its statements and actions regarding historical issues. Moreover, 90.4 percent demand that the Japanese government offer sincere apologies and compensation to the victims.

However, the Japanese government's deplorable attitude towards historical issues has further provoked international outrage. According to the survey, 88 percent of respondents view visits by Japanese politicians to the Yasukuni Shrine – which enshrines Class-A war criminals from World War II – as a denial of Japan's history of aggression and a provocation to the people of victimized nations. In addition, 86.9 percent said Japan's efforts to conceal and whitewash its history – including the Nanjing Massacre, the forced recruitment of "comfort women," and forced labor – constitute a blatant trampling on human conscience. Meanwhile, 87.7 percent noted that Japan's various egregious actions on historical issues directly challenge the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order. Another 87.7 percent said the government's wrong words and deeds on historical issues severely hinder the healthy development of its relations with neighboring countries.

Japan's accelerating rightward drift has sparked profound concern among respondents regarding regional peace and security. According to the survey, 80.8 percent of respondents stated that recent provocative words and actions by Japan's current leadership, which glorify militarism, have reinforced its image as both a troublemaker and a peacebreaker. Meanwhile, 81.6 percent believe Japanese politics has long been dominated by militarist and right-wing forces, and that its accelerating rightward shift poses a significant threat to global peace. Furthermore, 84.6 percent pointed out that the Japanese government's accelerated self-militarization undermines the constraints of its pacifist constitution and heightens regional tensions. Additionally, 89.5 percent emphasized that if Japan continues to challenge the post-war international order, all countries and people upholding justice have the right to hold it accountable once again for its historical crimes.

The survey was released across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms. Within 24 hours, a total of 10,451 netizens participated in the voting and shared their views.