On the eve of August 14, the eyes of the world are on what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will (and will not) say in the statement he is expected to issue to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. However, what we will hear from Japanese Emperor Akihito on August 15 will be equally—if not more—important.
As the Washington Post reported on August 11, Emperor Akihito has used various opportunities to reaffirm his personal commitment to Japan’s national identity as a peace-loving nation, as well as his creed that Japan should not forgot its prewar history of aggression. The Post article refers to Emperor’s New Year’s statement on January 1 this year, in which he stated, “It is most important for us to take this opportunity to study and learn from the history of this war, starting with the Manchurian Incident of 1931, as we consider the future direction of our country.”
To continue reading click here.
Follow Stimson’s East Asia program and Stimson on Twitter.
Photo credit: NightFall404 via flickr
Japan
On the eve of August 14, the eyes of the world are on what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will (and will not) say in the statement he is expected to issue to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. However, what we will hear from Japanese Emperor Akihito on August 15 will be equally—if not more—important.
As the Washington Post reported on August 11, Emperor Akihito has used various opportunities to reaffirm his personal commitment to Japan’s national identity as a peace-loving nation, as well as his creed that Japan should not forgot its prewar history of aggression. The Post article refers to Emperor’s New Year’s statement on January 1 this year, in which he stated, “It is most important for us to take this opportunity to study and learn from the history of this war, starting with the Manchurian Incident of 1931, as we consider the future direction of our country.”
To continue reading click here.
Follow Stimson’s East Asia program and Stimson on Twitter.
Photo credit: NightFall404 via flickr
Recent & Related
Made in the Gulf, Designed in America: How the Iran War Has Incentivized Drone Production in the GCC
The Orphan of the Summit of the Future: The Declaration on Future Generations
Experts React: Takeaways from the Trump-Xi Summit
Kabuki Diplomacy Between US and Iran at UNGA
Is the Iran War Worth It? Six Months Later, Still No
Why Iran-Backed Iraqi Armed Groups Are Hedging on Disarmament
9 Issues to Watch at UNGA 81
Why the Houthi Capture of Mocha Matters Far Beyond Yemen
Nuclear Disruption: The US-Saudi 123 Agreement and the Future of Nuclear Cooperation in the Middle East
The Nation Is Not Alone. We Need Reflexive Multilateralism
“No, History Begins Today”: Why Washington Could Not Reshape Pakistan’s Interests After 9/11
What if the US Had Made Peace With Iran After 9/11?
Find an Expert
Home to more than 100 scholars and global affiliates, the Stimson Center is proud to be a magnet for the world’s leading experts on the most pressing foreign policy and national security issues of our time. Explore our experts and their work.