A summary of editorials from leading Japanese newspapers (January 9, 2015)
post date : 2015.01.09
A summary of editorials from leading Japanese newspapers, posted biweekly.
The 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this summer was a common theme dealt with by all five national dailies in their editorials on Jan. 1. Japanese newspapers traditionally address the most important challenges facing this nation as well as the international community in their New Year’s Day leaders.
The following is a summary of each editorial (alphabetical order).
The Asahi Shimbun
As Japan observes the 70th anniversary of the war’s end and the 50th anniversary of the signing of a basic treaty that reestablished a diplomatic relationship between Japan and South Korea, there are “ominous clouds of mutual distrust bred by profound differences in perceptions of history” between the two nations.
At the advent of globalization, however, there are a myriad of social problems that transcend national boundaries. “If history is to serve as an effective tool for people to know about their pasts and to overcome current challenges to open up a new future, individual national histories are no longer enough in this age.”
In this context, Akira Iriye, a professor emeritus at Harvard University, stressed the importance of “global history” in The Modern World as Seen by a Historian, a book he published last year. “Iriye’s theory tries to free people from the limitations of national histories that focus on their own countries by viewing history as a global movement of people, ideas and other elements that make up the world…”
The clouds over East Asia will not disappear because Japanese, South Korean and Chinese people are still bound by their own national histories. “We need to take a relative view of our nation’s history and look back on the past from the viewpoint of global history. This is undoubtedly a tough challenge. But this viewpoint should be a guide for our efforts to achieve progress toward a better diplomatic landscape in this year of key historic anniversaries.”
The Mainichi Shimbun
Right after World War II ended, Japanese people, relieved that peace was restored, were filled with hope and longing for affluence. But 70 years later, Japan is “shrouded by concerns and irritation” apparently because many Japanese realize such anxieties stem in part from their nation’s longstanding discord and conflicts with South Korea and China.
One of the reasons for this is that Japan is facing a paradigm shift—as exemplified by a rising China. “Japan, which once was the outstanding developed country in Asia, is now forced to face powerful Asian countries for the first time in its modern history. Such being the case, Japanese people’s concerns and irritation apparently derive from the shaking of their awareness that Japan is the No. 1 country in Asia.”
It was a historical inevitability to see a rising China and South Korea. “Japan should accept the irreversible change in dynamics in East Asia and review its position in the region on the occasion of the 70th anniversary…”
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun
As economic globalization accelerated, the world witnessed a waning of U.S. influence and a rising China—which led to a situation called “G-zero,” in which power in international politics is decentralized.
Globalization has also created economic gaps, fueling dissatisfaction among the public. To unite a frustrated populace, political leaders often fan nationalism — which is evident in Russia’s intervention in Ukraine as well as in China’s maritime advancements.
China is also challenging the existing international monetary regime of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund through the establishment later this year of the Chinese-led Asia Investment Infrastructure Bank.
To deal with China’s ambitions, the Group of Seven, led by the United States, should cooperate more to enhance their presence in the world and then create a decision-making mechanism that China and other emerging economies participate in.
Japan, for its part, needs to take into consideration history issues with neighboring countries as it observes the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this summer.
“We should all know that a statement issued by the prime minister will not only affect Japan’s relations with neighboring countries, but also will attract close attention from the United States and other nations in the world. It is necessary for Japan to reconfirm its 70-year path as a pacifist nation, based on its reflections on the war. Its eyes should be set on the future, rather than the past.”
The Sankei Shimbun
Japan, standing at a crossroads, must find a clear path through this century. It is now a mature society with diversified values, after going through decades of postwar reconstruction, high-flying economic growth and protracted deflation.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will issue a statement later this year—70 years since the end of war—about Japan’s role in the international community. We believe key words that should be included in the statement are “independence” and “self-help,” which are synonymous with the “readiness and determination of people.” Although a nation cannot solve difficult issues without these qualities, they appear to be absent in today’s Japan. Psychological dependence and lack of self-reliance spell deterioration in national power.
Japan’s dependence on others is expressed in the preamble of its Constitution, which said “we have determined to preserve our security, and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.”
“Does this mean there is no country that disturbs peace by acting unfairly and unfaithfully? You only need to look around our country to learn the preamble is off the mark. It would be impossible to nurture a spirit of self-help when our nation depends on others to protect it.”
Constitutional revisions are necessary if Japan wants to become a nation of independence and self-help. We urge the prime minister not to hesitate to initiate a move toward constitutional revisions when “the time is ripe.”
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The nation could face a gloomy future unless it curbs a population decline, which is coupled with a graying society and falling birthrate. It is, therefore, important for Japan to make 2015 a critical juncture to carve out a bright future.
The Abe administration must urgently beef up its growth strategy aimed at encouraging “corporations and individuals who want to use their ingenuity to launch new ventures.” It also should make bolder deregulation efforts in such fields as agriculture and medical service so that the spirit of taking on challenges will percolate into people’s minds.
“If Japan wants to maintain economic growth when its population is decreasing, it must secure a sufficient number of workers and, for this purpose, it should create an environment to make it easier for women and elderly people to work.”
This year, in which the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II falls, Japan may face renewed questions about its perception of history-related issues.
“Efforts should be continued to dispel the groundless and misguided accusations that women were forcibly taken away to work as so-called comfort women for Japanese soldiers during the war. At the same time, however, restraint should be exercised in the conduct of relations with China and South Korea, so these nations will not be given a pretext to criticize our nation in this respect.”
*English translations of The Yomiuri, The Asahi, and The Mainichi are from The Japan News, The Asia & Japan Watch and The Mainichi, respectively. Those for The Sankei and The Nikkei are provisional. The content of this page was made by the Foreign Press Center/Japan and does not reflect the opinion of the Japanese Government or any other organization.