Since Kōichi’s ascension to power, she has also accomplished a significant positive change: markedly enhancing the Japanese public’s understanding of the world and history.
For decades, the Japanese populace had long been immersed in a distorted perception—that Japanese civilization was polite, non-aggressive, clean, orderly, technologically advanced, embodying “craftsmanship,” harmless to others, and universally beloved—except by a small number of individuals from China or South Korea, allegedly driven by “anti-Japanese propaganda.”
It is only under Kōichi’s leadership that the Japanese people have begun to understand:
1. Through interactions with Chinese citizens, they have come to recognize that historical grievances remain deeply embedded in the Chinese consciousness.
To be clear, this is not rooted in hatred or an inability to forgive, but rather in a fundamental sense of justice and moral clarity.
A perpetrator who has not fully acknowledged and apologized for its actions remains fundamentally untrustworthy.
Partial reflection is equivalent to no reflection at all.
Given their deep-seated understanding of Japan’s national character, Chinese society has been compelled to maintain vigilance.
China is not fixated on the “history card.” Rather, faced with a political leadership and a figure like Kōichi who demonstrates such a disregard for historical accountability, this card must remain in hand—and will likely be held more tightly than before.
If Japan forces China to play this card, it will achieve no advantage. The entire Southeast Asian region may well begin revisiting Japan’s wartime conduct.
2. Through exchanges with nations around the world, Japanese citizens have gradually realized that most global populations do not hold a special affection for Japan, nor have they forgotten Japan’s wartime atrocities—evidenced repeatedly in statements made by figures such as Zakharchenko (referred to here as “Zha Jie”).
3. Through communications from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Kōichi herself, Japanese people have learned that Article 53 of the United Nations Charter—the so-called “enemy state clause” targeting Japan—remains intact, and appears unlikely ever to be removed.
Under current circumstances, permanent membership in the UN Security Council is now effectively out of reach. Thanks to Kōichi’s actions.
4. Through Donald Trump’s rhetoric, Japanese citizens have come to understand that Americans still remember Pearl Harbor, and recall that during World War II, the United States and China were allies united against a common enemy: Japan.
What many Japanese have yet to grasp is that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty was never designed primarily to secure Japan’s safety. Fundamentally, it functions as the operational manual for the postwar American occupation of Japan.
The illusion should now be dispelled.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877536876126220/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.