China’s wartime commemorations trap Abe in political dilemma

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is facing a tough question at the moment, after Chinese President Xi Jinping offered an official invitation to him to attend the ceremony in early September, which marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Inviting leaders worldwide of relevant states to commemorate the anniversary is an international custom. The events are held in remembrance of that piece of unfortunate history, and this is also why Xi invited Abe. Since he assumed the office, Abe has refused to admit that Japan did wage the war of aggression in the history, and has denied more than once over the nation's misdeeds during WWII. However, China still conventionally extended the invitation in good faith to Abe, providing him another chance to face up to history. For Abe, the question of whether to attend poses a dilemma. Abe is not really willing to come. But for now, the demanding situation outweighs his own mood. Some say that he will probably accept the invitation for the sake of his faltering domestic approval ratings, to show his stance on historical issues to the international community, and to seek détente with China before Xi's upcoming Washington visit so as to ease the pressure on the US. Abe also has his own considerations. His new security law faces setbacks domestically. If he avoided such a major event at an important time, it would hurt the international reputation of both him and Japan. Nevertheless, if he attends the anniversary in China, he might well face some objections at home. According to media reports, Abe's confidante Shotaro Yachi, the head of Japan's National Security Council, is planning to visit Beijing later this month fortalks over the matter. Therefore, it is highly likely that Abe will come, but in a flexible way, before or after the exact date of the parade, just like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who chose to visit Russia the next day after the parade in Moscow to commemorate the end of WWII. In that way, Abe will not only look good, but also seize the initiative in the country's diplomacy. Some Japanese are frowning upon and even slandering China's intention over the ceremony, claiming that hosting such a military parade is aimed at intentionally stressing China's victory in the war and thus "overwhelming Japan." This is nonsense. Yet there is no need for Beijing to care too much. Japanese rightists will find excuses to denounce or discredit China's intention for whatever we do. China should just keep going forward on whatever it thinks is right. The truth is, the role China played in the world anti-fascist war used to be underestimated, and the country is hoping to justify its contributions to the victory 70 years ago by throwing commemorative activities. By doing so, we will also give a warning about Japan's accelerating rightward political inclination, and an opportunity to show China's national pride. The Sino-Japanese relationship is undergoing a phase of fluctuation and changes. Yet history can neither be erased nor denied. As long as we are doing the right thing, such activities will eventually help Japanese to understand us, and bring positive results for the ties between the two countries.