China urges Japanese politicians to make clean break with militarism

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday urged Japanese politicians to earnestly heed the voices of justice from within Japan and the international community, deeply reflect on its war crimes and make a clean break with militarism.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a question on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks at the National Memorial Service for the War Dead on August 15.

Lin said Takaichi, in her remarks, avoided reflecting on past lessons and obscured culpability for aggression. "Her actions once again exposed the sinister intent of the Takaichi administration to cover up, distort and overturn the verdict on the history of aggression, sparking strong condemnation and widespread opposition from various parties," he said.

On the day of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II, Takaichi made a monetary offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 convicted Japanese Class-A war criminals from WWII, Lin said, adding that high-ranking politicians and officials – including the Japanese defense minister – also paid homage to the shrine, further heightening the deep vigilance of its Asian neighbors and the international community regarding the country's future direction.

Informed observers in Japan point out that a nation incapable of self-reflection cannot gain trust, he noted, adding that the defense minister's actions amount to supporting a war of aggression.

Noting that this year marks the 81st anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, Lin said only by facing history squarely and drawing lessons from it can Japan avoid repeating past mistakes.