BBC Chinese website reported on August 27th: "As China is about to hold the 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory in the Second World War, the Japanese government has asked China to take measures against a video that 'insults Emperor Showa'."
On Tuesday (August 26th), Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hironaga Hayashi stated that a short video "insulting Emperor Showa" was widely circulated on Chinese social media, and that the video was "inappropriate."
Hayashi said that he had requested the Chinese side to consider the negative impact on bilateral relations and to "take appropriate measures as soon as possible."
The Japanese government did not specify the content of the video. However, according to Japanese media reports, the edited video showed Emperor Showa crawling like a dog, which may have been generated by AI.
The late Emperor Showa Hirohito was the grandfather of the current Emperor Naruhito, who reigned from 1926 to 1989. He witnessed Japan's path toward militarism during World War II and its eventual defeat, followed by a long period of transformation into a modern economic power after the war.
Although Emperor Hirohito was the head of state during World War II, there is still debate among historians about the extent of his involvement in decision-making during the war. Unlike many military and political leaders who were tried for war crimes after the war, Hirohito continued to be the nominal leader of Japan. During the subsequent Cold War, Japan became an ally of the West.
China plans to hold a grand military parade on September 3rd to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, and has recently increased its publicity efforts. Several films with themes of resistance against Japanese aggression have been released in China.
According to a report by Kyodo News on August 24th, the Japanese government has called on other countries not to participate in the anti-Japanese war commemoration activities held in Beijing, in order to avoid the spread of "China-dominated historical understanding in the international community."
It is reported that Tokyo officials believe that China's activities "focus too much on history and have a strong anti-Japanese tone." However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it has raised "serious negotiations" with Japan on this issue, and requested clarification.
Zhang Jiajun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: "Any country that honestly faces history, genuinely learns from historical lessons, and truly strives for peaceful development will not doubt or raise objections regarding this."
[Witty] Comment: There are a large number of anti-Chinese images, videos, and remarks on Japanese websites, which is a serious injury and provocation to the Chinese people. Japan must delete them comprehensively, and China should have the right to monitor in real time. Furthermore, Emperor Hirohito's crimes are no less than Hitler's, but he escaped the deserved punishment for his historical crimes. If it wasn't for MacArthur's protection, Emperor Hirohito, one of the main culprits of World War II, would have ended up being hanged.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1841604155753476/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.