Several organizations demonstrated in front of the Japanese
consulate in the Central district of Hong Kong on Thursday. The
demonstrations coincided with the 68th anniversary of Japan's
invasion of China. Demonstrators blamed Tokyo for not facing up to
history.
More than 100 members of groups such as the Hong Kong Reparation
Association and the Federation of Hong Kong, and Kowloon Labor
Unions expressed concern over what they described as a resurgence
of militarism in Japan. Others voiced their anger over Japan's
latest textbook amendments to disown Tokyo's barbaric deeds during
its invasion of China and World War II.
The protesters, some of whom marched from the Central post
office to the consulate, demanded that Japan apologize for its
crimes and compensate local victims.
One of the demonstrators and a War of Resistance against Japan
veteran, a Mr Li, said: "We should never forget the brutality and
crimes committed by the Japanese during their invasion. It is only
proper that the Japanese government take responsibility to
compensate the victims and issue a formal apology.
"The younger generation must remember the War of Resistance and
learn from the valuable lessons of history," he added.
Another protester said a group of local residents was taking
legal action against the Japanese government for its war crimes and
the distortion of history in its textbooks.
The demonstrators also denounced Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi's annual visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine,
dedicated to the Japanese who died in the war including war
criminals.
A spokesman for the Japanese consulate said the number of
protesters had more than doubled this year from 42 in 2004. The
consulate received many letters of protest, too, condemning Japan's
war crimes and its refusal to own up to its war crimes.
Some demonstrators also marched to the US Consulate, protesting
against the US' backing of Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the
United Nations Security Council.
(China Daily July 8, 2005)