Editor's note: Cao Cong, a special commentator for CGTN, is a doctoral candidate at the School of Global and Regional Studies, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

From May 3, 1946, to November 12, 1948, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East publicly tried Japanese militarists for launching wars of aggression and committing grave crimes against humanity. Known as the Tokyo Trial, together with the Nuremberg Trials, it is a major symbol of civilization triumphing over barbarism and justice over tyranny, carrying milestone significance in the history of international law and world peace.

The Tokyo Trial demonstrated that wars of aggression will inevitably be punished. Japanese militarism brazenly launched aggressive wars, causing profound suffering to people of Asian nations as well as Westerners. The 1937 Nanjing Massacre, which killed over 300,000 people, bacteriological warfare, the forced recruitment of "comfort women," a euphemism for sex slavery, and the large-scale slaughter of civilians are crimes proved by overwhelming evidence and cannot be denied.

The Tokyo Trial held Class-A war criminals legally accountable and signaled that any act of invading other countries by force and trampling on human dignity cannot escape the judgment of history and justice. This principle laid an important legal foundation for the postwar international order.

The Tokyo Trial also profoundly shaped the basic norms of postwar international relations. It established a shared commitment to opposing aggression, respecting sovereignty, and preserving peace, while promoting the development of the United Nations system and modern international law.

The formation of Japan's postwar pacifist constitution was closely linked to deep reflection on the crimes of militarism. The Tokyo Trial not only brought the wartime evils of an old era to justice but also opened a new chapter of peaceful development. Any attempt to deny the trial or undermine the postwar order constitutes a challenge to international fairness and justice.

However, the Tokyo Trial also had historical limitations. Thanks to the emerging Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, Japan's Emperor Hirohito escaped accountability, and many war criminals were not severely punished. The lingering poison of militarism was therefore not completely eradicated, laying the groundwork for the later rise of historical nihilism.

In recent years, certain forces within Japan have openly distorted the history of aggression, glorified colonial rule, downplayed wartime responsibility, and even sought to revive militarism. They have revised textbooks to delete or alter facts of the past aggression, replacing "invasion" with "advance," and portraying colonial oppression as a "contribution."

Some politicians repeatedly visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, where Class-A war criminals are enshrined, provoking neighboring countries into protests. Others question the "legitimacy" of the Tokyo Trial and promote theories to portray the aggression as a so-called "war of self-defense" or "war to liberate Asia." These claims trample the historical truth and inflict renewed pain upon the victimized nations.

Historical nihilism is far more than a simple academic dispute; it serves as ideological preparation for present-day political ambitions. Denying the history of aggression essentially creates public opinion conditions for breaking free from the constraints of the pacifist constitution.

Recently, Japan has accelerated its security policy adjustments, drastically hiked defense spending, sought to develop "counterstrike capabilities", and eased restrictions on arms exports. It is testing the red line on nuclearization and repeatedly stirring tension over regional flashpoints.

Some Japanese leaders are deliberately exaggerating the so-called "threats from neighboring countries" in an attempt to propel Japan once again toward military confrontation. These developments show that the specter of militarism has not vanished from Japanese society and deserve high vigilance by its Asian neighbors and the international community.

The people of Asia retain unforgettable memories of the devastation caused by militarism. History has repeatedly shown that the path of military expansion, arms buildup, and external adventurism will not bring Japan security but only drag the region into instability and expose Japan's own people to danger. Japan's postwar economic growth and social progress were made possible by following a path of peaceful development, not by military expansion.

To remember the past is to learn for the future. Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial is not about prolonging hatred, but about safeguarding peace; not about remaining trapped in the past, but about facing the future. A truly responsible attitude means confronting and reflecting upon the history of aggression, earning the trust of neighbors, and maintaining regional stability through action.

Although the gavel of the Tokyo Trial fell 80 years ago, the principles it proclaimed remain enduring and relevant. Any undercurrent that glorifies aggression, challenges the established order, or incites confrontation will be rejected by the tide of the times.

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