THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ACKNOWLEDGING JAPANESE WAR RESPONSIBILITIES

Abstract

More than half a century after World War II, the issue of Japanese involvement in the war still constitutes one of the most vibrantly sensitive area of contemporary debate. In particular, Japan's inability to candidly acknowledge their war responsibilities has received much criticism and concern from the world, especially from its victimized Asian neighbors. It has even become an obstacle for Japan to play a larger role in the Asia Pacific region. This is because these countries fear that Japan might repeat its mistakes if it does not confront its past. Hence, it is imperative for Japan to acknowledge its war responsibilities, not simply to eradicate Asian countries' fear and suspicion of a possible Japanese remilitarism; but also to allow Japan a more definitive and active role in today's economically most dynamic region. Hinging on the importance of Japan's acknowledgment of its war responsibilities, this Academic Exercise attempts to provide an understanding of why there exists a refusal to interpret Japan's wartime role as aggressive and a persistent ignorance of the Japanese concerning their wartime conduct. The central argument in this exercise is that the basic issue of war responsibility is obscured in the manipulation of Japan's educational system. Hence, the goal of this exercise is to attempt a discussion on the role of education in influencing Japanese perception towards their responsibilities in World War II. In addition, this exercise also seek to illustrate the importance of education as a means to reconcile with their past and confront their future. Teaching Japanese the truths of its war history is important as it will give the Japanese a better understanding of themselves and improves their relationship with the Asian countries. And indeed, recently, Japanese education has become more liberalized and increasingly explicit about their war responsibilities, although obstacles still exist. Hence, it is optimistic that Japan will eventually resolve this bitter legacy it has inherited fifty years ago, especially so when its wartime population and their children are gone.