As I believe I’ve mentioned before, I’m particularly interested in how the legacy of Japanese colonialism was the formative experience for the national identities in East Asia and how its legacy continues to put constraints on regional relations. A common textbook would be a significant step to resolving these memories as Europe was able to do with Germany. Of course, it’s easier to propose such projects than actually accomplish anything. Still there definitely seems to be a change in tone with this new Japanese government. Whether these tensions could ever be resolved by a complete and sincere Japanese apology is far from certain, however.
TOKYO, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) — Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Wednesday it is “ideal” for South Korea, China and Japan to write a history textbook based on a common recognition of the history of the countries, a Japanese daily reported,
It is the first time a Japanese government official has mentioned the necessity of publishing such a history textbook as a way to resolve issues surrounding Japanese history textbooks that critics say justify and beautify Japan’s imperialist past.
Japanese textbooks have drawn international criticism — chiefly from South Korea and China — for allegedly playing down Japan’s wartime atrocities and glorifying its participation in World War II.
