Photo: Kobayashi Kiyoshi

The atrocities committed by Japanese imperialism in its aggression of China should be made known to the world, so people will firmly remember that a nation's self-reflection is far more important than another nation's forgiveness and only a country that dares to reflect on its past can earn the respect of the world, Kobayashi Yokichi, son of Kobayashi Kiyoshi, a Japanese veteran of the Eighth Route Army, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Yokichi made the remarks at the third group interview at the Press Center for the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War at the Media Center in Beijing on Tuesday morning, when answering a question from the Global Times that at the significant juncture of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, how would Yokichi think we can better inherit and promote the spirit of anti-war fighters like his father to foster mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the people of both countries.

Yokichi replied to the Global Times that in 2005 and 2015, he participated in the 60th and 70th anniversary commemorations of the victory in the War of Resistance, receiving commemorative medals. "This time, I was invited by the Chinese government to attend the 80th anniversary commemorations. I believe this is a tribute to my father, an honor, and the greatest pride of my life."

Yokichi is the son of Kobayashi Kiyoshi, who was a Japanese veteran of the Eighth Route Army. Yokichi has long been dedicated to anti-war and peace initiatives and was involved in organizing the Japanese veterans' association "Coconut Society', where he currently serves as Vice President and Executive Director. He is the creator of the manga The Miracle of Pagoda Mountain,through which he actively promotes anti-war messages, peace advocacy and Sino-Japanese friendship activities in Japan.

His father Kobayashi Kiyoshi was a former officer in the Enemy Forces Work Department of the Shandong Military Region of the Eighth Route Army. He published memoirs titled On Chinese Soil-The Autobiography of a "Japanese Eighth Route Soldier" and A History of Japanese Anti-War Organizations in China.

The 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory in the War of Resistance today is to remind people not to forget history and to value peace. The flames of war from 80 years ago have long passed, but the purpose now is to tell people that Japan, more than ever, must draw lessons from its past history, he emphasized. 

The 74-year-old Chinese friend said that Japan and China are neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water, and the peoples of both countries share thousands of years of traditional friendship. However, no one should forget the brutal years of aggression and victimization in the history of their relations. 

The atrocities committed by Japanese imperialism in its aggression of China should be made known to the world, so people will firmly remember that a nation's self-reflection is far more important than another nation's forgiveness. Only a country that dares to reflect on its past can earn the respect of the world, he noted. 

Global Times