Japanese civil group slams gov't for glorifying aggression by revising textbooks

A Japanese civil group in Kyoto Prefecture has recently criticized the government for revising the history textbooks, saying the move aims to glorify and distort its wartime aggression.

It also urged the authorities to face up to the true history and promote world peace.

In Fukuchiyama, a city in northern Kyoto Prefecture, the Fukuchiyama Peace Committee has recently held a screening of a documentary to expose the attempts by the right-wing forces to press for changes in history textbooks.

"These textbooks are not based on historical facts. Education has been completely distorted. We need to sound the alarm and make more Japanese citizens understand the current state of education," said Hideaki Kajiwara, organizer of the event.

"I used to be a senior high school teacher. The issue is severely affecting the junior high schools now. The same problem exists in senior high schools as only textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology can be used," said Norio Mizutani, another organizer.

This year, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology approved a new batch of textbooks, with some modern history sections omitting war crimes like the Nanjing Massacre and military comfort women, and boasting militarism.

"This textbook deliberately uses the term 'Greater East Asia War,' a term contemporary historians have avoided. The term is used by those who forget they are the perpetrators and try to claim that the war of aggression is justified. This textbook adopts the term 'Greater East Asia War' on purpose. It's perplexing that textbooks using such terminology passed the review," said Yoichi Tamai, a participant of the event.

"Japan's responsibility for the aggression in these textbooks is becoming increasingly vague, with the possibility of it being completely erased. The record of the aggression itself is also diminishing," said Kajiwara.

Many participants believe Japan must face up to the suffering it inflicted on Asia during World War II and that acknowledging this history is a responsibility of historical education.

"When criticized, we shouldn't deny our actions by saying 'I didn't do that.' If we're shown that we did or said this and if we think we were wrong indeed, we should admit them openly, admit the crimes we committed. We need teachers and schools like this," said Tamai.

"We wish that Japan will earnestly honor its commitments in its postwar pacifist constitution, promise never to wage war again, possess no weapons, and not to resolve conflicts by wars and to remain committed to world peace. This is the original intention of Japan's pacifist constitution," said Mizutani.

Japanese civil group slams gov't for glorifying aggression by revising textbooks

Japanese civil group slams gov't for glorifying aggression by revising textbooks

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition