Trying to break free from the prison of isolation, Abe’s cabinet has traveled from Asia to Europe on lobbying missions. But wherever Abe goes, he is always asked by media - like a curse that lies upon him - how historical issues should be treated. Abe is adept at obfuscating over straight facts, but overwhelmed by the burden of history, he is approaching exhaustion.

Over the years, Japan has sought to rid itself of the shadow of World War II. And as long as it deals with its past through thorough reflection, remedies its errors, and takes the road of peaceful development, the international community will treat it as a normal country. After all, the events in question are part of a distant past, and no-one wishes to reopen old sores for the sake of it.

However, some Japanese politicians and the country's right-wing political forces persist in doing the opposite, attempting to distort and negate history and wipe from the slate the crimes Japan committed. These casuists define their aggression against Asian neighbours as a "liberation", and condemn international trials for war criminals as 'the justice of the victor'. Even many Japanese are repelled by such factual distortions, not to mention the people of the victim countries.

Imagine that some foreign country had invaded Japan for no reason - would the Japanese classify it as a liberation? If a murderer is sent for trial, would this be case of 'might means right'? The answer is an obvious and emphatic 'No'.

Previous apologies, made under pressure, were clearly just for form's sake; any pleas for forgiveness, unaccompanied by remorse, were just empty talk. In fact, some Japanese admit only that Japan was defeated; they refuse to recognise its invasions and crimes. Its apologies were merely a facade - in fact, Abe’s cabinet contrived to falsify Japanese history textbooks, varnishing over the issue of "comfort women". Frequent visits are paid to the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo. Japan has even rejected the post-war international political order. In this regard, two words are more than enough to describe the insincere apologies that have been forthcoming - disgusting and repellent.

Historical issues have become a tremendous burden of negative equity for Japan. With such a weight on its shoulders, it is increasingly difficult for the country to move forward. It should be grateful to the international community for post-war reconstruction – thanks to its post-war recovery, Japan became a major world economy.

Abe belongs to the post-war generation, but his mind is still immersed in the century before last. This may be related to his family background and the political environment in Japan. As a Chinese saying goes: one who will reach into the future must never forget the past. Japan should move with the times and follow the path of peaceful development, instead of dwelling on old dreams of imagined glory.

World War II brought darkness and trauma not only to victims in Asia, but also to the whole world and to Japan itself. Japan will not escape from the darkness of its past if cannot find its way onto the path of peace.

The article is edited and translated from《无法摆脱的“魔咒”（国际论坛）》, source: People’s Daily, author: Mi Bohua.