Ishiba Should Resign First Before Commenting on History

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August 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Especially now, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should avoid expressing views that could encourage anti-Japan propaganda in China and other countries.

The Prime Minister should, however, visit Yasukuni Shrine. There, he can pay tribute to and honor the souls of those who gave their lives to protect Japan.

Then, he should announce his resignation, respecting the verdict delivered by the public in the recent Upper House election.

During the August 4 Lower House Budget Committee session, Ishiba indicated his desire to offer his views on the Pacific War. At one point, he stated, "Regardless of the form it takes, it is absolutely necessary to issue some statement in order to prevent it (history) from being forgotten." He thereby signaled his interest in presenting his views on the last war.

During his January 6 press conference, Ishiba also referred to then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's statement marking the 70th anniversary of the war's end.

He then added, "I would like to present a statement in which I consider how we can create a system to ensure that war never occurs again."

*Entrance to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.*

Tone Deaf to Regional Tensions

China is ruled by a dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party. As the war's end anniversary approaches, anti-Japan sentiment is on the rise. A mammoth military parade is planned in central Beijing on September 3. It would commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in what China calls the "War of Resistance against Japan."

Prime Minister Ishiba has a one-sided, masochistic view of history, viewing Japan as the aggressor in the conflict. If the Prime Minister goes ahead and expresses such views, regardless of the timing or format, it could lend momentum to anti-Japan propaganda by China, South Korea, and North Korea and risk injury to Japanese citizens.

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It would also encourage left-wing forces both at home and abroad.

An Imperfect 70th Anniversary Speech

PM Abe's postwar 70th anniversary speech had some shortcomings. For example, it failed to mention that one of Japan's aims in the war was to eliminate racial discrimination.

Even though that was the case, Abe did stress that Japan must continue on the path of a proactive contributor to peace. But at the same time, he showed strong awareness of the need to reject never-ending self-abuse, saying: "We must not let our children, grandchildren, and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologize."

If Prime Minister Ishiba goes ahead and presents his own "views," it will trample on all the hard work Abe put into the 70th anniversary statement. That, in turn, could cause significant harm to Japan's reputation and national interest.

No Tradition and Great Risk

Furthermore, there has been no tradition of issuing new statements every 10 years among prime ministers in the postwar era. Half a century after the end of the war, then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of the Japan Socialist Party issued a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the war's end. That speech then became a significant political problem.

Our current prime minister cannot escape criticism for his irresponsibility after expressing his intention not to resign despite failing to win public support in two national elections. What weight would such a prime minister's words carry after all?

If Mr Ishiba is really determined to express his views on this matter, he should do so to his heart's content after he resigns. Then, he can air his personal, masochistic perspective on history without restraint.

Whether the Japanese public accepts his views is another matter entirely.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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