EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Nov. 3)

True view of history?

In an essay titled "Was Japan an Aggressor Nation?" Toshio Tamogami, chief of staff of Japan's Air Self-Defence Force, wrote regarding World War II, "It is certainly a false accusation to say that our country was an aggressor nation."

Tamogami was fired Friday after his essay -- which won a prize at an essay contest
with the theme of "true views of modern history" -- was published by the competition
organizer.

In the essay, Tamogami, 60, wrote that while the Chinese government "insists that
there was a 'Japanese invasion,'" Japan's military actions in China were based on
treaties.

Of the Pearl Harbor attack, Tamogami wrote that Japan was tricked into attacking the
United States by then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who, Tamogami claims, was
being manipulated by the international communist organization Comintern.

On the Japanese colonial rule in Korea, Tamogami said life under Japanese occupation
was "very moderate," and cited a rise in population during the 1910-45 occupation as
"proof that Korea under Japanese rule was also prosperous and safe."

Tamogami also wrote "we need to realize that many Asian countries take a positive
view of the Greater East Asia War." Who has Tamogami been talking to?

As expected, Korea and China promptly denounced the essay. The Foreign Ministry
called the remarks a distortion of history which must not be left unchecked. It also
said, "Friendly international relations start with humble repentance on past
wrongdoings and commitment to taking them as historic lessons." China expressed
strong indignation over the "denial of Japan's aggression and overtly glorifying its
history of invasion." It also said that the war of aggression brought much suffering
to the Asian people, which is an "undeniable historic fact."

Tamogami's essay runs counter to the Murayama statement of 1995, which expressed
remorse to Japan's neighbors for its colonial rule and wartime aggression. The
Japanese government was right in promptly firing Tamogami. Undoubtedly Prime
Minister Taro Aso -- himself known as a hard-line nationalist -- felt the need to
distance himself from Tamogami, whose essay was sure to raise tensions in Japan's
relations with its Asian neighbors. When Aso took office in September, he pledged to
stand by the Murayama statement.

This latest incident is precisely why Korea and Japan's other neighbors are
concerned about revisions in Japanese history textbooks that distort historical
facts.

In concluding his controversial essay, Tamogami wrote, "We must take back the
glorious history of Japan. A nation that denies its own history is destined to
pursue a path of decline."

Every nation is entitled to celebrate its history. However, in doing so, its more
unpleasant aspects must also be acknowledged. History must be embraced in its
entirety, not just the glories.

We cannot move forward without learning the lessons of history. Tamogami was right
when he said that a nation that denies its own history is destined to decline. This
is why Japan must stop its attempts to distort history for the sake of its own
future.

Also worrisome is the fact that Tamogami's interpretation of history won a prize.
The judges who reviewed the essay must have also shared Tamogami's historical
perspective. It may be that such distorted views of history are prevalent in Japan;
such a possibility should make other Asian countries uncomfortable.
(END)