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Demonstrators Urge Japan to Revise Textbook

Karrin Amedeo, Voice of America
June 11, 2001

In Japan, scores of international demonstrators formed a human chain around the Education Ministry to protest its recent approval of a controversial history textbook. Critics say the schoolbook has a strong right-wing bias that distorts Japan's wartime history.

Forming a long line around the Ministry of Education, protesters from South Korea, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan, as well as Japan, linked arms and chanted the words "correct the history textbook".

These representatives from civic groups across Asia want the ministry to revise a controversial book, which will be used to teach 13 to 15-year olds about Japan's wartime history. They argue that the book whitewashes Japan's military aggression and neglects the misery inflicted by the Imperial Army on its Asian neighbors.

Speaking before the rally, Kenichi Otsu, chief manager at the Japan Christian Conference, one of the protesting organizations, says the protesters want to stop the books from being used in Japanese schools.

Mr. Otsu says the rally is meaningful because it lets Japan know how Asian countries feel about the textbook. He says Japan is failing to acknowledge responsibility for its wartime conduct.

Scores of protesters waved placards and sang songs. Tony Waworuntu from the Christian Conference of Asia was among the demonstrators. "We request and ask the government of Japan that they should review and remove these books," Mr. Waworontu said. "At least in those areas which are controversial and they should tell the truth of their history. That is what we are doing [here] now."

Yumiko Saito, a Japanese secretary, also joined the rally. I cannot believe the description of events contained in this book, she says. She finds it shameful that the book will be used in Japanese schools.

The rally brought an end to a three-day international conference held in Tokyo, to stop the use of the textbook. Weeks of publicity, debate, and diplomatic differences have sparked strong sales in bookstores - ahead of it being introduced in the classroom.

The controversial textbook has strained diplomatic ties between Japan and other Asian countries, especially South Korea and China.

But the Ministry of Education says no revisions will be made to the book, which is authored by nationalist scholars.

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