Murayama: Face history, maintain peace
- By Tomiichi Murayama
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 27, 2015
People's China: You are the first Japanese prime minister to have visited the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression, could you tell us something about that?
Tomiichi Murayama: How do we understand China? What kind of relations should we build with China? To answer these questions, the first crucial thing we need to do is to get a thorough understanding of this country. I was involved in the war when I was young, but I had never been to China. I know nothing about China during the wartime, so it's necessary for me to come to the country and find out what did the war brought to this land.
People's China: It has been 20 years since the 'Murayama Statement' was delivered. In your opinion, what practical effect does it have nowadays, especially under the current diplomatic environment?
Tomiichi Murayama: When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formed his first cabinet, he promised to carry on with the 'Murayama Statement'; while for the second cabinet, he changed to only partly inheriting the statement, and attempted to deny the war of aggression. Although he had to abandon his idea under the parliament's pressure, his attempt is known to all. That is the reason why the 'Murayama Statement' and the statement Abe will deliver next month have attracted so much attention from the global community.
People's China: It is widely known that Prime Minister Abe is trying to deny the 'Murayama Statement'. If so, what effect will it have on Japan?
Tomiichi Murayama: Based on the previous miserable experience, we enacted the Peace Constitution. During the past 70 years since the end of the World War II, Japan has not been involved in any wars, and has maintained peaceful and prosperous development.
I don't think the Japanese people will allow Abe's cabinet to change the constitution. Japan is a democratic country, in which the sovereignty and decision-making power belong to the people. According to recent polls, more and more Japanese are joining in the protest against Abe's new law.
People's China: In June, you and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono attended a press conference at the Japan National Press Club to urge Abe to withdraw his New Security Bill.
Tomiichi Murayama: The overwhelming majority of Japanese constitutional experts have already pointed out that the New Security Bill under deliberation has violated the current constitution. To submit and discuss it will also make the parliament violate the constitution.
Although the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recognized that the new law has not been accepted by the people, he insisted to interrupt the deliberation and forced a vote for his new bill. Such rude behavior could not been accepted. To hold fast to the Peace Constitution and oppose war are the Japanese people's heartfelt wishes. The parliament should comply fully with public opinion to withdraw the new law.
People's China: What is your opinion of the current situation of Japan and the world?
Tomiichi Murayama: The Japanese government is keeping an eye on Chinese action on the Nansha Islands, and the North Korea nuclear issue. The current government has exaggerated its crisis awareness, which means the Southeast Asian countries are suffering the most serious crisis around the world.
China will not seek hegemony, and I believe the Chinese government and people won't like war. To resolve the conflicts between Japan and neighbor countries, dialogue is the really effective way. The arms race will only trigger a war.
In addition, I don't think the U.S. government will expect a war between Japan and China. On the contrary, they will prefer to make Japan a buffer zone between China and the U.S., and ask Japan to provide more assistance in line with America's security treaty with Japan.
People's China: How do you see Sino-Japan relations under the new world order? What kind of relations do you think Japan and China should build in the future?
Tomiichi Murayama: In 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in the parliament that China-Japan relations had moved into a new strategic and mutually beneficial era thanks to the bilateral agreement on the 'Murayama Statement'. Therefore, abiding by the agreement and preventing disputes is the most important principle in bilateral relations. The favorable environment is also necessary for the economic interdependence of the two countries.
People's China: Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a state ceremony for the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims that 'the purpose of the memorial ceremony is not to prolong hatred.' He also said 'the future of the bilateral relationship is in the hand of the people of the two countries,' when he attended a gathering of more than 3,000 Japanese visitors in Beijing. How do you comment on this?
Tomiichi Murayama: President Xi's address has been welcomed by all. Developing mutual aid and cooperation is beneficial to not only the two countries, but also the whole of Asia and the world. Although conflicts cannot be avoided in the future, what we can do is to try our best to promote mutual communication and resolve disputes, in order to create a brighter future for Japan-China relations.
The article was translated by Lin Liyao. Its original version was published in Chinese.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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