A "memorial testimony rally" was held in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, on December 4, 2025 to mark the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. Photo: Courtesy of the "executive committee of the postwar 80th anniversary study group on the history of atrocities committed by the Japanese Army"

 
As China's 12th national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre approaches, a "memorial testimony rally" was held in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, on Thursday night local time to mark the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. The rally was organized by the "executive committee of the postwar 80th anniversary study group on the history of atrocities committed by the Japanese Army." 

Speaking to the Global Times on Thursday evening, Kinuyo Inagaki, a member of the committee, said that the organizers appealed at the gathering that "without understanding the historical facts of the harm Japan has committed against the people of Asian countries, including China, it is impossible to gain the world's trust."

According to the organizers, participants watched the film Nanking, which centers on the Nanjing Massacre and features testimony from survivors of the atrocities. Afterward, a staff member read out a statement from Ge Fengjin, the son of the late survivor Ge Daorong. He said: "As a descendant of survivors and a bearer of historical memory, I must not only remember this painful history, but also faithfully convey the true facts of the Nanjing Massacre and the tragic experiences of my father and family. I hope to serve as a witness to the Nanjing Massacre and a messenger of peace."

Inagaki told the Global Times that the event had been in preparation for about a year. Ge Fengjin had originally planned to attend the gathering in Okinawa in person, but ultimately could not make the trip due to the impact of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks. Inagaki added that even those who had previously remained silent are now speaking out in anger against Takaichi's erroneous remarks.

"We deeply repent Japan's past aggression against China and neighboring countries, and we must never forget the historical facts of aggression represented by the Nanjing Massacre and the Hanaoka mine incident," Inagaki said, adding that the rally issued an emergency statement demanding that Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks about a so-called "survival-threatening situation" and apologize, as well as immediately halt any policies that could potentially provoke war and for the immediate commencement of friendly diplomacy with neighboring countries.

Inagaki told the Global Times that all participants at the rally observed a one-minute moment of silence for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. "Today's Japanese youth are largely unaware of the history of Japanese military aggression against China, including the Nanjing Massacre. From now on, it is necessary to earnestly carry out historical education," she said.