Japan's Prime Minister Asano Hayato has caused controversy among Malaysian people by mourning Japanese soldiers who died in Malaysia.

According to a report from Singapore's state media, during her visit to Malaysia, Japan's new Prime Minister Asano Hayato paid tribute to Japanese soldiers who died in World War II at the Kuala Lumpur Japanese Cemetery, causing Malaysians to question whether she had apologized for the massacres and sexual violence committed during the Japanese occupation. Some people also pointed out that the act of offering flowers was a way to cover up and glorify these atrocities.

On Sunday (October 26), Asano visited the Kuala Lumpur Japanese Cemetery to lay flowers. The cemetery, which has a history of over a century, is the burial place of Japanese people who died on the Malay Peninsula, including Japanese soldiers who died during the invasion of Malaya in World War II. Asano also visited the Kuala Lumpur National Heroes Monument, paying respects to Malaysian soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives during two world wars and the emergency period.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry clarified to "Today's Malaysia" on Tuesday (28th) that Asano Hayato's visit to the Japanese Cemetery was to commemorate all Japanese people who lived and died in Malaysia, not specifically to pay homage to Japanese soldiers who died in World War II.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated, "The Kuala Lumpur Japanese Cemetery was built in 1899. Before the Second World War, many Japanese people lived in Kuala Lumpur. This cemetery has been the burial place for them since then. Prime Minister Asano Hayato's visit to the cemetery this time was not to mourn Japanese soldiers."

The Japanese Foreign Ministry did not respond to whether it could confirm if the cemetery had buried Japanese soldiers who died in World War II.

According to an article by Malaysian historian and former journalist Leung Tze Kin published in "Dong Fang Daily" on February 25 last year titled "Searching for the Japanese Comfort Women," the Japanese Cemetery added about 200 graves after the war, with most of the deceased being Japanese military personnel.

The trip will not cause diplomatic issues with the approval of the Malaysian government

Malaysian political scholar Pan Yongqiang told Singapore's state media that during her first foreign visit after taking office, Asano Hayato used the act of laying flowers to showcase her right-wing historical perspective and conservative stance of protecting Japan's national interests, aiming to consolidate support among conservative voters.

Pan Yongqiang pointed out that Asano Hayato's act of laying flowers at the Japanese Cemetery and the National Heroes Monument was an official itinerary approved by the Malaysian government, so it would not cause diplomatic problems.

"At the National Monument, the soldiers are stepping on (Malaysia's official disliked) members of the Malayan Communist Party. Therefore, Asano's act of laying flowers did not contradict Malaysia's official historical narrative."

Pan Yongqiang believes that Malaysia's official understanding of Japan's actions during World War II differs from that of the Allies or the Chinese community, including the view that Japan was helping to resist British colonial rule at the time. "Therefore, although this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian countries have not held formal talks or commemorative events."

Political scholar Huang Jinfa from Sunway University in Malaysia said that the problem with Asano Hayato is not that she paid tribute to her own fallen soldiers, but that Japan has never sincerely apologized for the significant casualties caused by its invasion of neighboring Asian countries.

"She herself is a right-wing politician who has visited the Yasukuni Shrine. This makes her mourning in Kuala Lumpur imply an acceptance of Japan's wartime actions."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847274492164108/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author."