The mayor's removal of the word "reflection" from his speech on the defeat anniversary has sparked controversy.

Goichi: "Regarding war, 'I did not participate, so there's no need for reflection'"

The Japanese media outlet Jcast News published an article on August 18 analyzing why Goichi omitted the term "reflection" on the day of Japan's defeat.

The term "reflection" was revived during the premiership of Shigeru Ishiba. At the ceremony commemorating the 81st anniversary of Japan's defeat—the "Memorial Ceremony for War Dead"—Goichi removed the word "reflection." On August 17, 2026, TBS TV's program "N Sta" reported on Goichi’s personal understanding of Japan’s history of aggression and her past statements.

Speaking on the "Day of Defeat," Goichi stated: "We will never allow the horrors of war to be repeated. We will uphold and continue this firm pledge across generations." She also noted that certain "words" are no longer used.

Since the 1994 statement by then-Prime Minister Murayama, all subsequent prime ministers have used the term "reflection." The shift occurred in 2013 when then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech without using the word "reflection." During Abe’s second administration, he refrained from using the term. Former Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida followed suit. However, at the 2025 commemoration ceremony, then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first in 13 years to use the term "reflection," saying: "We must now deeply engrave the reflection and lessons from that war in our hearts."

Previously, Goichi had stated: "I don't believe there is any reason for us to be required to reflect." At a 1995 session of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs while she was a member of the New Frontier Party, Goichi said: "At least personally, I belong to a generation that did not directly participate in the war, so I do not need to reflect, nor do I believe there is any justification for being asked to reflect."

Why does Prime Minister Goichi avoid using the term "reflection"? According to special commentator Hideo Hoshino of TBS: "Beyond Goichi’s own historical perspective, it appears she intentionally omitted the word 'reflection' based on the intentions of the former Abe faction. However, Asian countries that suffered from the war cannot accept this omission."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873843671513100/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.