Newsletter

LEE Won-hee
President The Korean
Federation of
Teachers' Association

Another wave of historical distortions is sweeping Japan. On April 9, the Japanese government approved the history textbook published by Jiyusha. The government even added that the evaluation was conducted in an objective manner. But the contents of the textbook tell a very different story. Japan's historical consciousness, mired in distortion after distortion, has not taken a single step toward rectification. As a Korean citizen and educator, I am beyond anger and overcome with a sense of bitterness.

This distorted history textbook is no different from the one published earlier by Fusosha. The distorted facts and the authors are the same. The Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform was behind the 2001 and 2005 textbooks published by Fusosha. The group parted ways with Fusosha, joined forces with Jiyusha, and published the latest textbook.

Why does Japan keep repeating the distortion of history related to Korea? One cannot but wonder whether it is indicative of Japan's unutterable inferiority complex vis-a-vis Korea since ancient times. This is made clear when one examines the particular facts Japan is distorting. As a part of the claim that Japan had colonized the southern areas of Korea between the 4th and 6th centuries, Japan also argues that only Japan had used an independent system of periodization. Japan has recorded the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea in the 16th century) not as invasions but as military expeditions, thereby mitigating or negating Korea's sovereign history. It has also emphasized external threats in order to justify Japan's invasion and colonization of Korea. Japan has tried to cover up the coercive nature of the forced annexation of Korea and the true intentions behind its aggression. Japan has also whitewashed its colonial policy toward Korea as a policy of modernization. The magnitude of Japan's historical distortions is beyond the grasp of imagination. It is actually embarrassing to see Japan's shamelessness in denying even history and the truth.

Recurrence of the distortion of history textbooks

Japan's historical distortions do not end there. Japan has whitewashed the Russo-Japanese War and the Pacific War, insisting that they had been waged to liberate the yellow race, the oppressed peoples. Japan is ambiguous when it comes to describing the forced mobilization of laborers and soldiers. Japan does not even mention the military "comfort women" issue--the most serious of issues between Korea and Japan. Japan is denying what Korea and other neighboring countries know to be true. Japan's efforts are futile in the face of the enormity of the truth it tries to distort and deny.

The problem is that Japan's lies are not that simple. They are actually dangerous. This point cannot be overemphasized. Needless to say, the actual content of Japan's historial distortions is problematic in and of itself. What is even more problematic, however, is that such distortions could impart inaccurate historical understanding to foreigners who do not know about Korea. Furthermore, the distortions could influence students, which would lead to the perpetuation of the vicious cycle of historical distortions. Japan is making no progress ion rectifying historical distortions, and the Jiyusha textbook is a case in point. It is a pity Japan does not realize that no matter how great and prolonged ist historical distortions are, truth cannot be changed. Historical consciousness and education that are not founded on truth have neither value nor utility. It is clear how Japan's future will unfold if it does not face the truth.

Looking at how Japan continues to distort history, I went in search of a photograph--the photograph of a former German chancellor apologizing for Germany's past wrongdoing. Every time yet another incident of Japan's historical distortion flares up, Germany's handling of history offers a stark point of comparison. Germany has repeatedly expressed remorse and apologized to the countries victimized by its aggression during World War II. Germany collaborates with victimized countries to make history textbooks in which its wartime offenses are described as they are. That is, Germany is fostering a brighter future by promoting an accurate understanding of history, and it is building an era of mutual respect by being considerate of its neighbors. German chancellor Willy Brandt visited Poland on December 7, 1970. He knelt down before the memorial commemorating the victims of the ghetto in Warsaw, Poland's capital city. He apologized and asked for forgiveness. It was beautiful and poignant.

Denying the truth is denying the future

In an address to the Bundestag in 1985, President von Weizcasker called on the German people to once again reflect upon the past. In June 6, 2004, Chancellor Schroder became the first German leader to participate in a ceremony commemorating the Normandy Landings of World War II and offer floral tributes at a cemetery for the fallen soldiers. On August 1 of the same year, he was also invited to a commemoration ceremony of the Warsaw Uprising in Poland where he asked the Polish people for forgiveness over Germany's past deeds. As these examples demonstrate, Germany does not forget for even a moment its historical wrongdoing. Japan's behavior is all the more appalling in comparison.

So then, what is the solution? The answer is simple: Japan's earnest self-reflection and apology that come straight from the heart. We can tell Japan to do this and that and be this and that, but if Japan does not listen, it is of no use. Thus, there is no moving forward without Japan's decision to do so. It goes without saying that a lot of courage is needed to show true remorse over past misdeeds and apologize for them. It can be extremely difficult. Be that as it may, Japan has not only refused to apologize for its past, it has gone a step further in the wrong direction by distorting history. Such a stance goes against the basic principles of human civilization and the world; it defies humanity and education.

A single act of courage can suffice as an expression of remorse and apology. No matter how much Japan tries to distort history, the truth cannot be altered. And as long as the Korean people are watching, Japan cannot be freed of its historical accountability. Once Japan realizes this, it may not be that difficult for Japan to muster up the courage to face its past. A future-oriented Korea-Japan relations cannot be built on words alone. With Japan not walking the talk, is there hope for the two neighbors to forge close ties that befit their geographical proximity? The building of today's history of Korea-Japan relations is up to Japan.