A Misunderstanding of Japan’s History
The article, “Japan’s Revisionist History” by Philip J. Cunningham (Commentary, April 11), displays a lack of understanding of the process by which Japanese textbooks are screened and approved and the position of the Japanese government in facing the past squarely.
He points out: “That tacit government approval is given to such xenophobic, right-wing thinking can be seen in the latest Ministry of Education-approved school texts that erase or evade critical lessons drawn from Japan’s bad behavior in its war of aggression.”
However, the Japanese government does not dictate or endorse particular historical views to be imposed on the Japanese people. The textbook approval system ensures that textbooks written and edited by private publishers meet objective academic standards. Therefore, history textbooks approved by the government do not reflect views of the Japanese government. Thus, Cunningham’s assertion is based on his misconception of the system. The clear position of the Japanese government on its past history is well affirmed in then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama’s 1995 statement, which reads, “Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war
Japan has not made even the slightest change in this position.
Yoshiyuki Isoda
Consul
Consulate General of Japan
Los Angeles
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
