Interview: Japan needs practical action when reflecting on war: expert

China planned to hold a parade on September 3, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory in the world anti-fascist war.

When asked about his comment on China's commemoration, Han Tan Juan, vice president of the Association of World War II Studies in Singapore, told Xinhua that this is a kind of counterattack to right-wing supporters in Japan.

"The parade on September 3 conveys the message that the Chinese people won't give right-wing supporters in Japan any chance if they dare to act rashly," said Han, a retired journalist formerly with Lianhe Zaobao, who has focused on historical research and often acted as a voluntary guide to help people learn more about the history of World War II.

Han told Xinhua that the parade on September 3 shows the determination of Chinese people to maintain peace, and also demonstrates the strength of China to safeguard the country, which was invaded by Japanese aggressors during World War II.

"This functions as a note of caution to the right-wing supporters in Japan," Han said. During the anti-Japanese war, which historians agreed Japan's full-scale invasion began on July 7, 1937, Chinese troops played an important role with long and bloody fights. Han said Chinese people, led by the Communist Party of China, had made great contributions to the world anti-fascist war.

He also expressed admiration for important contributions made by many high-ranking military officers of the Kuomintang (KMT).

He said KMT's officers such as General Zhang Zizhong, the highest-ranked KMT officers killed during the war, Major-General Dai Anlan, who commanded key battles to safeguard the Burma Road, are respectable for their contributions.

The year of 2015 also marks the 70th anniversary of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, which provides opportunities to reflect on history.

As for Japan, many experts have reiterated that admitting the crime of aggression, and conveying its sincere apology to countries that suffered from its wartime atrocities will help Japan realize reconciliation with its neighbors.

Han made this further by emphasizing practical action is of greater importance. "What Japan needs most is taking practical actions to prevent crimes of aggression committed by Japanese troops during World War II from happening again. No matter what it is apology, repentance or reflection, staying on words is meaningless. Action speaks louder than words."

Han clarified this point of view with what Germans did after the war. "Why Germany has won respect from international community after the war, it was practical action, which clearly showed they have learnt a lesson from the war."

He noted that Germans have eliminated the remnants of Hitler, clearly stated what Nazi had done during the war is wrong in their history textbook, and tried their best to compensate for the losses to countries which were invaded by Nazi. On the contrary, Japan did none of these.

"Japan apologizes for what the fascists had done during the war, however, Japanese politicians also visits the Yasukuni Shrine at the same time. How can I trust their apologies are sincere? " said Han.

Han also expressed his expectation that people can make some reflection on the history of world anti-fascist war during the year of 2015. Han added that the Association of World War II Studies in Singapore is planning to shoot a 40-minute documentary, which tells the history when Singapore was occupied by Japanese troops during World War II, and elaborates the struggle of Dalforce at that time. Endi