At 10 am on September 2, the third group interview for the events commemorating the 80th anniversary in the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held in Beijing. Several international friends who made contributions to the victory in the War of Resistance, or their family representatives, shared their perspectives on the war, and take questions from reporters. Among them, Kobayashi Yokichi, son of Kobayashi Kiyoshi, a Japanese veteran of the Eighth Route Army, stated when responding to a question from the Global Times that a nation’s self-reflection is far more important than another nation’s forgiveness.
Global Times raised the question 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.
In response to that, Yokichi said, “This time, I was invited by the Chinese government to attend the events commemorating the 80th anniversary in the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. I believe this is a tribute to my father, an honor, and the greatest pride of my life.”
The 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory in the War of Resistance today is to remind people not to forget peace, cherish history and 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.
He 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.
"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," he noted.
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.
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.
