Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is facing historical perception controversy over a single word added to her war remembrance speech. She changed the phrase "I will not let the horrors of war be repeated" to "I will not let it be repeated," incorporating the auxiliary verb 'se' (せ). This alteration has been interpreted as shifting the responsibility for war from Japan to other countries, suggesting that Japan is preventing others from starting wars.
Every year on August 15, which marks both Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat in World War II, a national memorial service for war dead is held in Japan. Attended by the Emperor and representatives of war victims' families, the Prime Minister delivers a speech honoring the victims and pledging peace. The language used in this speech reflects the Prime Minister's historical perspective on war, drawing significant media attention each year.
In her first address since taking office, Takaichi stated on the 15th, "I will not let the horrors of war be repeated." This phrase has been used by previous Prime Ministers, starting with Shinzo Abe in 2015, and continued by Yoshihide Suga, Fumio Kishida, and Shigeru Ishiba.
Opposition lawmakers criticized Takaichi for obscuring the Japanese government's responsibility for war with her word choice. Kiyomi Tsuzimoto, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on the 16th, "Why does the Prime Minister not clearly express her own will and determination?" He argued that the change appears to deny the Japanese government's flawed policy decisions that led to war, suggesting a clumsy attempt to shift blame.
Communist Party member Taku Yamazoe also criticized Takaichi on X, stating, "The phrase 'I will not let the horrors of war be repeated' is something the people should say to leaders like Takaichi."
Japanese media and experts have noted the significance of the word change. Koji Nakakita, a professor of Japanese politics at Chuo University, told Asahi Shimbun, "'I will not let it be repeated' reads as a declaration of Japan's resolve against war, while 'I will not let the horrors of war be repeated' suggests that Japan is merely a victim pushed into war by others." This could imply a perception that Japan's aggressive actions in World War II were not self-initiated.
He added that the phrase could be interpreted as a message to actively strengthen defense capabilities to deter war.
On the 15th, Akira Yamada, a professor of modern Japanese history at Meiji University, was quoted by Mainichi Shimbun, stating, "The auxiliary expression 'I will not let it be repeated' reflects a historical perception of Japan as a victim entangled in past wars."
A spokesperson from the Prime Minister's Office explained the change was intended to express a stronger commitment to peace, but did not clarify who or what would not be repeated.
Criticism has also been raised regarding the connection of this word change to the spirit of the Japanese Constitution's preamble, which states, "The Japanese people resolve that they will not allow the horrors of war to occur again due to the actions of the government." This highlights the commitment of the post-war sovereign people to prevent the government from instigating war again.
Asahi Shimbun criticized Takaichi's alteration, stating that the phrase "I will not let it be repeated" reaffirmed the constitutional spirit, suggesting that Takaichi has shifted the responsibility for war from Japan to other countries.
Takaichi also did not mention 'reflection' or 'pledge against war' in her speech. These expressions have been included by previous Prime Ministers since Tomiichi Murayama in 1994, but were omitted by Abe starting in 2013. Instead, Abe used the phrase "I will not let the horrors of war be repeated" in 2015, which was continued by Suga and Kishida. Last year, Ishiba revived 'reflection' and 'pledge against war' for the first time in 13 years, but Takaichi's speech saw their omission again.
Takaichi has regarded Abe as her 'political mentor.' In March 1995, she responded in the Diet that she could not reflect on the war as she was not a direct participant. Since then, she has maintained that Japan fought to protect itself.
Close allies of Takaichi in the Liberal Democratic Party told Asahi Shimbun that she believes it is undesirable to acknowledge Japan's past wrongdoings, interpreting this speech as catering to conservative factions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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