The upcoming 60th Asian African Conference could be an ideal international occasion for Japan to show sincere remorse for historic aggression and colonial rule.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to attend the event in Indonesia, but how the Japanese leader will approach the nation's wartime history is still shrouded in mystery.
In 2005, at the 50th conference, which was attended by leaders of Asian and African nations, then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took the opportunity to show feelings of deep remorse and offer a heartfelt apology.
Koizumi said in the past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations.
Koizumi's words, which were well received, sets an example for the current Japanese leader.
Consistency in attitude toward wartime history should be adopted by Japan and its sense of remorse needs to be reflected in concrete actions because moves by the Japanese government have continued to baffle its wartime victim countries.
In one instance, Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook 2015 said the country remains committed to continuing on its path as a peace-loving nation as it has done over the past 70 years out of deep remorse since the end of World War II. On the other, it approved new textbooks that blatantly watered down Japan's atrocities during World War II.
Regarding the Nanjing Massacre, some textbooks state "captives and civilians were involved" in the tragedy and "casualties were exposed", compared to the original words that the Japanese Army "killed many captives and civilians."
With textbooks that distort historical facts, how can one draw the conclusion that the nation is showing sincere deep remorse?
Fundamentally, such self-contradictory moves, which had angered its neighbors including China and the Republic of Korea, only exposed Japanese government's hypocrisy in its stance toward historical issues.
Though Japan seems insincere about taking concrete actions to honor its commitment to facing history squarely, the former fascist power has been taking concrete actions to bolster its military might since 2012.
Its attempts included reinterpreting the pacifist Constitution to allow its Self-Defense Forces to exercise right to collective self-defense. The move will enable the nation to send soldiers into battle on foreign soil, striking fear into the hearts of those with direct experience of Japan's previous overseas military escapades.
Let's not forget Japan commissioning the largest helicopter-capable navy ship, Izumo, in March amid rising military expenditure. The 248 meter-long destroyer, which is equal to the Japanese carriers that attacked the Pearl Harbor in 1941, is named after a Japanese cruiser once used in Japan's invasion of China in the early 20th century.
Coincidental or not, such an act is inappropriate because it evokes painful memories of the Chinese people and Japan's war atrocities.
As neighbors that have important influence in regional stability, the Chinese and Japanese people should live in friendship from generation to generation. By always keeping in mind the severe crimes launched by a few aggressive militarists does not mean China is bearing hatred against an entire nation.
Personnel exchanges, including high-level officials' meetings, are steadily recovering between the two nations following a meeting between leaders' in November. It is a better choice for Japan to take more actions to promote the trend, rather than take steps backwards.
