Japanese citizens took to the streets of Tokyo on Saturday, the 81st anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War II, calling on the government to face up to Japan’s history of aggression and reflect on its wartime crimes.
The rally came on the same day that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, while several cabinet ministers and senior politicians visited the controversial shrine.
Their actions have drawn criticism and opposition from many Japanese citizens.
“If they truly understand the atrocities committed in China during the war, they should reflect on them. Some Japanese people today have not reflected on history and do not even know about it, which is really outrageous,” a protester said.
Participants at the rally voiced strong opposition to visits by senior government officials to the Yasukuni Shrine, warning against forgetting Japan’s wartime aggression.
“Today is August 15. Japan once invaded countries across Asia. From its war of aggression against China to the Pacific War, Japan committed extremely brutal atrocities. Yet key members of the current government are still visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which means they have not reflected on that war at all. I firmly oppose that,” said another protester.
Others warned against a return to Japan’s prewar militarism and criticized the current government’s stance, citing the lessons of history and the suffering caused by Japan’s wartime aggression.
“I think the others who gathered here feel the same way I do. Japanese society today is already in the same situation as it was before World War II. We are only one step away from entering into war again,” a demonstrator said.
“For my generation, our fathers went to war and caused tremendous harm to the people of Asia. That is all recorded in books. I absolutely cannot tolerate Takaichi’s words and actions, and that is why I am here today,” said another participant at the rally.
Japanese citizens rally in Tokyo, urge government to reflect on wartime aggression
Russia said on Saturday that its forces had taken control of a settlement in the Zaporozhye region, while Ukraine, on the same day, launched long-range strikes on a Russian aerospace center and a military airfield.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report that its forces had taken control of a settlement in the Zaporozhye region. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces targeted Ukrainian logistics centers, fuel and energy facilities, transport infrastructure, and assembly workshops for long-range drones and uncrewed surface vessels, the ministry said.
The report added that Russian forces also struck 147 temporary deployment sites for Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries across various areas.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing to strike Ukrainian port infrastructure and vessels serving the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the ministry said.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the same day that 233 combat engagements took place across the front lines over the past 24 hours, with Ukrainian forces repelling Russian attacks in multiple directions.
It also said that the Ukrainian forces struck Russian command posts, troop concentration areas, artillery systems, and drone control points.
In addition, Ukrainian forces attacked the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Russia’s Samara Oblast, as well as a military airfield in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, according to the report.
Russia claims control of new settlement, Ukraine reports hitting Russian military targets
AloJapan.com