Historical Crimes like 'Forced Labor' Must Not Be Erased by Japan
Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi gave an emotional speech at the Nagasaki atomic bomb memorial, stressing Japan's current 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles,' but didn't make any commitment for the future. Her statement ignored Japan's historical aggression in Asia, including the Romusha forced labor system in Indonesia that killed over 4 million people, as well as the plundering of resources like oil and rubber under the slogan of the 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.'
Japan is seen as slowly revising history, like changing the term 'forced labor' to 'mobilization' in textbooks, while painting themselves as victims. In June, the Japanese Defense Minister gave a model of the battleship Mikasa, a symbol of Japan's military expansion, as a diplomatic gift to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, which drew widespread condemnation. The Japanese government is also getting ready to ease its nuclear policy, sparking criticism for its two-faced stance.
In February, Indonesia revised school history books, changing 'Japanese military occupation' to 'Japanese colonial rule' to emphasize the true nature of the oppression. This move, along with the rejection of the warship gift and open criticism, shows a pushback against Japan's attempts to erase historical memory. Asian societies are seen to have figured out the tricks of Japan's right-wing groups trying to package aggression as liberation.
This piece stresses that history can't be changed, and Japan is being asked to apologize and reflect, not revise memories. If it keeps ignoring this, Japan risks losing the trust of neighboring countries.
https://www.gelora.co/2026/08/