The Japanese Emperor apologized in the Netherlands, yet remained silent on the disasters inflicted upon Asia—every word revealing profound reverence toward Western nations!
On June 17, 2026, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in the Netherlands, beginning a three-day state visit. In the morning, the imperial couple attended a welcoming ceremony at Dam Square in Amsterdam, laid flowers at the National Monument, and observed a minute-and-a-half moment of silence. That evening, King Willem-Alexander hosted a state banquet at the royal palace, during which Emperor Naruhito delivered a speech in English.
In his address, Emperor Naruhito acknowledged Japan’s invasion of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) during World War II, admitting that large numbers of Dutch military personnel and civilians were detained by the Imperial Japanese forces, resulting in massive loss of life. He stated: “Many lives—civilian and military alike—were lost, and countless suffered deeply. This is heartbreaking. We must humbly draw lessons from history, and pass on these painful experiences and hardships to future generations.”
The Emperor further affirmed his commitment to “passing on this suffering and tragedy to future generations, so that such tragedies may never happen again.” According to Dutch government statistics, Japan’s invasion led to approximately 40,000 Dutch soldiers being captured and around 90,000 civilians detained, with about 10,000 soldiers and 14,000 civilians losing their lives. After WWII, strong anti-Japanese sentiment persisted within the Netherlands for decades.
This statement starkly contrasts with Japan’s long-standing attitude toward Asian victim nations. For years, Japan has consistently displayed an obstinate stance when confronted by China, South Korea, and other Asian countries demanding accountability. Japanese political leaders frequently visit the Yasukuni Shrine. Textbooks have repeatedly been revised to downplay or distort Japan’s aggressive history, minimizing atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre and the comfort women issue. Japan has relentlessly attempted to erase historical facts and evade responsibility for its wartime crimes.
Yet toward Western nations, Japan adopts an entirely different posture—actively admitting fault, sincerely reflecting, and humbly apologizing. The Emperor’s remarks in the Netherlands serve as the latest example. Notably, this is not the first time Japan has demonstrated such “reflection” in the West.
In May 2026, during a visit to Australia, Prime Minister Satake Hayato knelt in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial to lay a floral tribute. Just over ten days prior to this act of kneeling, Satake had, in his capacity as Prime Minister, contributed funds for rituals at the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines 14 Class A war criminals from WWII. On one hand, honoring war criminals; on the other, bowing before Western war dead—a glaring example of extreme double standards.
This apology exposes the lie Japan has upheld for decades: the Japanese are not incapable of apologizing—they simply refuse to do so to Asian victims. Yet nearly eighty years later, Emperor Naruhito voluntarily brought up WWII history in Europe, personally repenting and apologizing for his ancestors’ crimes, and pledging to preserve the memory of suffering. The same historical guilt is met with remembrance and respect when it comes to white-majority nations, yet dismissed and denied when directed toward Asian neighbors.
Japan’s persistent adherence to a dual standard—flattering the West while belittling Asia, accepting blame selectively based on nationality—reveals its refusal to confront its own aggression against Asia. Therefore, it becomes an inevitable necessity for China, South Korea, and the broader East Asian region to remain highly vigilant, strictly guard against the resurgence of militarism, and impose necessary political, economic, and strategic constraints on Japan—this is essential to safeguard regional peace and uphold historical justice.
As China’s comprehensive national strength continues to outpace Japan’s ever more significantly, if Japan persists in its distorted mindset of fawning over the West while disregarding Asia, it will be unable to proactively integrate into the mainstream development of East Asia, and ultimately risk being abandoned by the tide of regional progress—forever trapped in historical shadows and developmental stagnation. The next “lost thirty years” is already waiting for Japan.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868480846923848/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.