It will never be too late for Japan to recognize the history of the Anti-Japanese War. Since Shinzo Abe came to power, this recognition of Japan's history has become a critical issue.

At present, we are involved in a campaign to defend memories and facts against concealment and distortion. China's humiliations began on the occasion of the 1894 Sino-Japanese naval battle, and continued until August 15, 1945, when Japan declared unconditional surrender. Abe has expressed the view that wars aginst China and South Korea were not aggressional, that the 'comfort women' who were press-ganged into service by the Japanese were prostitutes, and that the war actually contributed to East Asia's liberation. While these views have proved popular in Japan, Abe's eccentric reinterpretation of history has infuriated the countries of the victims. Abe's openly-flaunted homage to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013 can be regarded as a further sign of his intention to distort history.

As in the case of Abenomics, the distortions of "Abe's history" also have three aspects.

Firstly, Japan wants to cast aside the "post-war constitution". Secondly, Japan tries to reevaluate and weaken the "Murayama Statement" and "Kono Statement" in order to faciliate Abe's proposal of historical revisionism next year. Thirdly, Japan is brainwashing its citizens through changes to the education curriculum in order to imbue them with "historical honor".

In this battle for history, China needs to recall its experiences from the Anti-Japanese War and the Anti-Fascist War.

Firstly, we must recognize that we have a long way to go before Japan is ready and able to face up to the truth of its history.

Secondly, we have to build a united front. Abe's government is not only defying China and South Korea. All the other Asian countries affected by Japanese aggression are involved, and Japan's actions also violate the international order that has existed since the end of World War II. More countries need to recognize Abe's strategy for what it is.

Thirdly, by distorting its history and by celebrating its invasions, Japan is aiming to revive its militarist traditions. We therefore need to pay very close attention to every military action undertaken by Japan.

The article is edited and translated from《保卫记忆和真相是一场新抗战》, source: Beijing Times, author: Yong Hao