Just over 80 years have passed since the end of World War II, and memories of the conflict are fading. Why was Japan unable to avoid war? Looking back on the past and renewing a vow never to wage war again has significant meaning.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, so close to his final day in the post, has released a personal statement titled "Reflection by the Prime Minister on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war." This was issued as the prime minister's individual view, not as a Cabinet-approved government statement.
In the past, prime ministerial statements released every decade since the 50th anniversary of the war's end have drawn attention for their articulation of the government's historical perspective. This time, Ishiba declared that he would uphold the historical views of previous Cabinets, but placed particular emphasis on drawing lessons from the events leading up to the outbreak of war.
In 1930s Japan, economic anxiety fueled distrust of political parties and the rise of populism, allowing the military to gain power. This ultimately led to reckless war. Many have pointed out the similarities to the current political climate.
After the war, under the new Constitution, civilian control was established to ensure that politicians, not the military, would hold power. But such systems are meaningless unless properly implemented.
In his statement, Ishiba called on the government, the Diet, the Self-Defense Forces and the media to make constant efforts to uphold peace. He urged politicians to resist irresponsible populism and to act with pride and a sense of responsibility, rather than simply following the crowd.
However, questions remain about the timing and intent of the statement, which was released after Ishiba had already announced he would step down, as if to secure his legacy. Initially, he had aimed to issue a formal prime ministerial statement, but hardline conservatives within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) objected, arguing that then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's statement on the 70th anniversary had already put an end to "apology diplomacy." Ishiba should have worked persistently from an early stage to persuade opponents and prepare a proper statement.
If the core of the message is to call on politicians to fulfill their responsibilities, perhaps Ishiba should have considered delivering it in a Diet speech or through other means.
As the generation with firsthand experience of war dwindles, there are growing moves to revise history for political convenience. In May, LDP House of Councillors member Shoji Nishida made remarks about the exhibits at the Himeyuri Peace Memorial Museum, which commemorates students who perished in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, that hurt the dignity of the people of Okinawa. Some political parties have even begun to deny Japan's history of aggression.
When politicians make poor decisions, it is the people who suffer the horrors of war. We must learn from history and fulfill our responsibility to maintain peace.