On December 13, Japanese media were so cautious that they hardly dared to breathe. Although Kyodo News reported on China's national memorial ceremony, the overall tone was more of an "introduction of the situation," seemingly without making provocative statements. Kyodo News reported today: "The Chinese government held a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Jiangsu Nanjing on the 13th. China has been vigilant about the municipal government's efforts to re-examine its security policies and strengthen defense capabilities."

The underlying considerations are quite straightforward. The National Memorial Day is not just a regular commemorative event, but a solemn declaration of historical truth and a serious reminder to human conscience.

More than 300,000 compatriots lost their lives, and the 731 Unit conducted inhumane experiments. This history is recorded in Chinese documents, survivor testimonies, international court trial records, and Japanese military archives. The evidence is overwhelming and cannot be altered in any way.

Japanese media clearly understand this. On such a special day, any inappropriate remarks could trigger global public opinion backlash.

Previously, some Japanese politicians denied the Nanjing Massacre, which led to condemnation from around the world, including within Japan. They not only lost all credibility but also damaged Japan's international image. No one wants to suffer such a loss again.

Moreover, in recent years, countries have been continuously deepening their investigation into historical truths, and more and more Japanese people have begun to face the history of aggression against China. Domestic peace forces have been speaking out continuously. As an influential media outlet, Kyodo News naturally dares not touch the red line by violating the facts or international public opinion.

Looking at Japan's recent actions, it is indeed cause for concern. The 2023 "National Security Strategy" and other three security documents completely abandoned the post-war principle of "exclusive defense," directly positioning China as the "greatest strategic challenge."

In 2024, Japan's defense budget has increased for 12 consecutive years, breaking through 7 trillion yen, setting a new historical high. It is also continuously strengthening its military alliance with the United States, conducting frequent joint military exercises, and planning to deploy a large number of missiles in the Ryukyu Islands. These actions are intensifying regional tensions.

China's vigilance is not unfounded. Historically, Japan brought profound disasters to Asian neighboring countries. Now, its significant shift in defense policy inevitably makes neighboring countries worried.

The painful experience of the Nanjing Massacre has long told us that peace does not come out of nowhere. Only by remaining vigilant at all times can we prevent historical tragedies from recurring.

Interestingly, this "low-key" approach by Kyodo News is vastly different from its usual style of reporting on China issues.

Previously, some Japanese media often exaggerated and stirred up the "China threat theory." But this time, they have restrained all their sharpness when facing the National Memorial Ceremony.

This is due to changes in the balance of power and the international public opinion environment. Today, China's comprehensive national strength continues to rise, and its international voice is increasingly strong, allowing it to better protect historical truth and its own interests.

At the same time, the international community's pursuit of historical justice is becoming stronger. Any denial of history or provocation of peace will be opposed by the entire world.

This also reflects the complex mentality of Japan towards historical issues: on one hand, more and more Japanese people hope to face history and cherish peace, unwilling to repeat past mistakes; on the other hand, right-wing forces are still trying to distort history and push for constitutional revision and military expansion.

Kyodo News does not want to offend the right wing, nor does it dare to openly violate historical truth and international public opinion. Therefore, it adopts this "neutral" attitude, only stating the facts without commenting.

But it must be clear that merely "introducing the situation" is far from enough. The Nanjing Massacre is not a distant historical symbol, but the loss of more than 300,000 lives and the destruction of countless families.

Japanese media should not only be satisfied with objective reporting but should also actively spread the truth of history and call on their society to face history and reflect on war.

Only by truly remembering history can we avoid repeating the past and achieve lasting peace in East Asia.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1851403501762567/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.