A Commentary Only Taiwan Chooses to Forget History

A Commentary

Only Taiwan Chooses to Forget History

(abridged)

Source: China Times

August 22, 2019

On August 15 this year, the new Japanese Emperor Naruhito publicly expressed remorse for the history of World War II, and did deep soul-searching, sincerely hoping that the pains and sufferings of the war would not repeat. And President Moon Sae-in of South Korea at the rally celebrating the 74th anniversary of Korea’s restoration also appealed to the people to use history as a mirror, shake off history and march toward the future, hoping that Japan reflect on the history of misfortunes it brought to its neighbors, together leading to peace and prosperity in East Asia.

Looking back at Taiwan, which was under Japanese colonial rule for 50 years, this day, nevertheless, whether in official circles or the private sector, was extremely quiet, the choice was to forget. This attitude is tantamount to a betrayal of history.

In the last century, Japan’s invasion launched against China and various countries in Asia Pacific, besides bringing casualties to tens of millions of people, both military and civilians, as well as incalculable losses in assets and the economy, the civilians in Japan under jingoist rule were, in fact, victims of the war. Emperor Naruhito has just ascended to the throne, succeeding his father, Emperor Akihito’s political path, continuing to take part in the "national memorial service for war dead", and chose to apologize for the war launched during the reign of his grandfather Emperor Hirohito. For the new emperor, who was born after the war and raised in peacetime, that he is willing to stand at the height of the nation and history offering self-reflections and and apologies for the stupid and cruel acts of war in the past is the correct political ceremony and an approach to ameliorate the hatred of war.

In accordance with the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the then four allied countries, China, the United States, the UK and the USSR, besides demanding Japan’s unconditional surrender, also supported Korea’s independence. Thus, South Korea chose August 15th as Restoration Day, lavishly commemorating it every year to show that South Korea did not forget history.

Looking back at Taiwan internally, for the view of history that it ought to have, however, it is full of contradictions and divides. In the history of Taiwan, the 228 incident at present obviously receives the most attention. However, apropos to the tragedy of the armed, blood-shedding uprisings against Japanese colonial rule on the part of our forbearers in Taiwan who suffered cruel slaughter, up to the history of Japan’s unconditional surrender and the return of Taiwan to the rule of the Republic of China, the history, however, has gradually faded and been forgotten.

When we noticed from the international media that Japan and South Korea still continue to hold relevant commemorative activities for the imperial edict on the "End of War" issued by Emperor Hirohito 74 years ago and the Restoration Day, the Republic of China government and society should ask a timely question: are we deliberately choosing to forget this page in history?

[Translator’s note: Lee Chien-jung is a senior media personality.]

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