Speaking at a parliamentary committee recently, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga rejected the admission of former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, made in 1993, acknowledging Japan's policy of abducting young women and forcing them to serve in military brothels during WWII.

On one hand, Suga, on behalf of the Japanese government, claimed that they have no plans to actually modify Kono’s statement. On the other hand, the Japanese government is now denying that there was any “coercion” involved.

These two statements are riddled with inconsistencies. The Japanese government has failed in in its bid to cover up the reality of the enslavement of the “comfort women”, because there is incontestable proof that the crime occurred. For instance, one museum in Tokyo began a five month exhibition on the history of “comfort women” in July 2014, which provides detailed information such as Japanese soldiers’ testimonies, military material, and statements from "comfort women" themselves. In the face of this evidence, Japanese political leaders like Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga find it hard to deny that the events were real. The Japanese government has therefore decided that it will try to muddy the waters and confuse the public by disputing the element of enslavement. Denying that there was any "coercion" is their tactic. Its implied message is that all of the comfort women acted of their own volition. There appears to be a belief that in this way, the Japanese government can restore the honor and credibility of the country.

But the international community has already made its position clear on the issue. Even Japan's close ally, the U.S., publicly criticized the discreditable statement about “comfort women” made by Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, Japan, in 2013.

Any country that denies its history will lose respect. Germany undertook deep reflection and faced up to its guilt over WWII, thereby regaining the respect, understanding and trust of the international community. The Japanese government repeatedly denies the militarist crimes of its past, doing serious damage to the peace of the international community, and to its relationships with its neighbors.

The article is edited and translated from《否认历史者无法赢得尊重(望海楼)》, source: People'Daily, author: Hua Yisheng