Repenting Our Past Deeds Means Using What We Have Learned to Build a Better Future
ONO Goro / Professor Emeritus, Saitama University
July 22, 2014
“Even a thief has thirty percent of reason on his side.” This is a proverb that is understood to mean there is some amount of reason behind any kind of crime.
That is precisely why in modern society even the most diabolical of criminals are given the right to a fair trial where they can present their side of the story. Then again, “thirty percent of reason” is only just that, and it goes without saying that we must still squarely face up to the “seventy percent” for which we are at fault. And when we search our souls, we must do so by recognizing our past deeds and historic facts as accurately as possible.
These days, Japan finds itself under fire from several countries for “being lax in its recognition of history and showing little remorse.” And thus prompted to look back on our past, we find that indeed it is a historic fact that Japan had “exercised colonial rule,” “invaded the Asian continent” and “launched a pre-emptive attack on Pearl Harbor,” etc., in the period leading to and during the last war, for which we should humbly take the blame.
As for the other deeds for which we have earned criticism, it is a fact that a “massacre” did take place and “comfort women” did exist, and it is also wholly understandable that others would unilaterally seek repentance on Japan’s part, regardless of “how many were massacred” or “whether the military establishment was involved or not.” Citing the “number of victims” or “military involvement” is tantamount to making a mountain out of a molehill. Insisting on having “thirty percent of reason” on our side gives us no excuse for denying the criminal nature of the “massacre” or “comfort women” as seen in the light of modern moral values; Japan should simply acknowledge its fault and offer a genuine apology.
Yet, assuming that Japan did recognizes its past misdeeds and apologizes to the victims, that in itself would not suffice as an exercise in self-reflection because it misses the very point of self-reflection, which is to make good use of the lessons we have learned from our past to build a better future.
From that standpoint, soul searching is due not only from countries on the losing side of a war such as Japan, but from all countries and persons responsible for wrongful acts, including “colonial rule,” “military invasion,” “massacre” and “recruitment of comfort women,” both past and present. The victor countries should stop looking upon the losers with scorn and instead draw a lesson from their follies so as to avoid repeating the same mistakes themselves.
However, in doing so it is essential that they admit to their own history of “colonial rule,” “invasion,” “massacre” and “comfort women.” Yet, they continue to justify colonial rule by claiming to have “brought the light of civilization to a savage land,” seek to expand their borders because “the region in question was once part of our territory,” create collateral casualties out of innocent civilians by launching massive air strikes, dropping an atomic bomb or deploying unmanned bombers on the pretext of “eliminating terrorists” and such, or legalize sexual slavery by insisting that the other country or local inhabitants had “offered their services for a price.” As long as they continue to make these excuses, the “thirty percent of reason” will hold sway.
Moreover, such conceit on the part of the “winners” arouses an impulsive desire urge among loser countries and minority groups, which have long harbored an inferiority complex, that “We ourselves must become stronger”. It would be no exaggeration to say that the world has entered a stage where it could find itself rushing down a road we have treaded before.
Paradoxically for Japan, this may be the moment to take due responsibility, apologize and atone for its past misdeeds without giving any excuses whatsoever. Only then will we be able to remonstrate other countries that appear to be making mistakes that are reminiscent of our own past. I believe this to be Japan’s historic mission as a country that has learned a bitter yet valuable lesson from defeat.
Goro Ono is Professor Emeritus at Saitama University.
That is precisely why in modern society even the most diabolical of criminals are given the right to a fair trial where they can present their side of the story. Then again, “thirty percent of reason” is only just that, and it goes without saying that we must still squarely face up to the “seventy percent” for which we are at fault. And when we search our souls, we must do so by recognizing our past deeds and historic facts as accurately as possible.
These days, Japan finds itself under fire from several countries for “being lax in its recognition of history and showing little remorse.” And thus prompted to look back on our past, we find that indeed it is a historic fact that Japan had “exercised colonial rule,” “invaded the Asian continent” and “launched a pre-emptive attack on Pearl Harbor,” etc., in the period leading to and during the last war, for which we should humbly take the blame.
As for the other deeds for which we have earned criticism, it is a fact that a “massacre” did take place and “comfort women” did exist, and it is also wholly understandable that others would unilaterally seek repentance on Japan’s part, regardless of “how many were massacred” or “whether the military establishment was involved or not.” Citing the “number of victims” or “military involvement” is tantamount to making a mountain out of a molehill. Insisting on having “thirty percent of reason” on our side gives us no excuse for denying the criminal nature of the “massacre” or “comfort women” as seen in the light of modern moral values; Japan should simply acknowledge its fault and offer a genuine apology.
Yet, assuming that Japan did recognizes its past misdeeds and apologizes to the victims, that in itself would not suffice as an exercise in self-reflection because it misses the very point of self-reflection, which is to make good use of the lessons we have learned from our past to build a better future.
From that standpoint, soul searching is due not only from countries on the losing side of a war such as Japan, but from all countries and persons responsible for wrongful acts, including “colonial rule,” “military invasion,” “massacre” and “recruitment of comfort women,” both past and present. The victor countries should stop looking upon the losers with scorn and instead draw a lesson from their follies so as to avoid repeating the same mistakes themselves.
However, in doing so it is essential that they admit to their own history of “colonial rule,” “invasion,” “massacre” and “comfort women.” Yet, they continue to justify colonial rule by claiming to have “brought the light of civilization to a savage land,” seek to expand their borders because “the region in question was once part of our territory,” create collateral casualties out of innocent civilians by launching massive air strikes, dropping an atomic bomb or deploying unmanned bombers on the pretext of “eliminating terrorists” and such, or legalize sexual slavery by insisting that the other country or local inhabitants had “offered their services for a price.” As long as they continue to make these excuses, the “thirty percent of reason” will hold sway.
Moreover, such conceit on the part of the “winners” arouses an impulsive desire urge among loser countries and minority groups, which have long harbored an inferiority complex, that “We ourselves must become stronger”. It would be no exaggeration to say that the world has entered a stage where it could find itself rushing down a road we have treaded before.
Paradoxically for Japan, this may be the moment to take due responsibility, apologize and atone for its past misdeeds without giving any excuses whatsoever. Only then will we be able to remonstrate other countries that appear to be making mistakes that are reminiscent of our own past. I believe this to be Japan’s historic mission as a country that has learned a bitter yet valuable lesson from defeat.
Goro Ono is Professor Emeritus at Saitama University.
The English-Speaking Union of Japan
反省は過去を顧みて、そこから得たものを将来に活かすためにするものである
小野 五郎 / 埼玉大学名誉教授
2014年 7月 22日
「盗人にも三分の理」という言葉がある。これは「どんな悪業であっても、それなりの理由がある」意だと理解している。
だからこそ、現代社会では、どんな極悪非道な人物であっても、公正な裁判の下、自身の言い分を申し立てる権利を有するのだろう。とはいっても、「三分の理」はあくまで「三分の理」であって、後の「七部の非」については潔く反省することが求められることは元よりである。また、この「反省」に当たっては、過去の行為ないし史実をできるだけ正確に認識することが必要となる。
ところで、今の日本は、複数の国から「歴史認識が甘く、きちんとした反省が見られない」との批判を受けている。そこでひるがえって見ると、先の大戦前および戦争中に、日本が「植民地支配」「大陸侵攻」「真珠湾先制攻撃」等を行なったことは史的事実であり、それらに対して謙虚に反省すべきは当然である。
また、その間、別途非難の対象とされている「虐殺行為」が行なわれ「従軍慰安婦」が存在していたことも事実であり、それらについて「虐殺員数の多少」とか「軍の関与の有無」にかかわらず、一方的に反省を求められるのも当然だと言える。すなわち、ここで「数」とか「関与」といったことを言うのは「三分の理」を針小棒大に唱えるに等しく、「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」という現代価値基準に照らして悪業であることを否定する理由とはなりえないから、日本は素直に謝罪と反省をすべきである。
このように日本の過去の非を認め被害者に謝罪した上でのことであるが、それだけではまだ「反省」したことにはならない。なぜなら、それでは本来の「反省」の目的である「過去の経験から得た教訓を将来に向けて活かす」という点が欠け落ちてしまうからである。
そう考えると、反省すべきなのは、何も日本など敗戦国だけではなく、過去・現在「植民地支配」「侵略」「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」等といった悪業を為した国・者全員でなければならない。というより、戦勝国ほど敗戦国の愚かさを嘲笑うだけではなく、敗戦国の愚かさを「他山の石」として自らが同じ轍を踏まぬようにすべきであろう。
当然、それには、各自が史実としての自らの「植民地支配」「侵略」「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」等をきちんと認識することが欠かせない。それを「蛮地に文明の光を与えた」として植民地支配を正当化したり、「歴史的にも自国の領土だったことがある」として版図拡大を図ったり、「戦争終結のため」あるいは「テロリスト撲滅のため」として大空襲・原爆投下とか無人機等攻撃で無辜の住民まで巻き添えにしたり、「相手国ないし現地住民が有償提供した」として性的奴隷を合法化していたのでは、いつまでたっても「三分の理」が大手を振って闊歩することになろう。
また、そうした「勝ち組」の慢心が永年内心のコンプレクスを抑え込んできた敗戦国や弱小民族の心中に、「我々自身もっと力を持たねば」という衝動を湧き起こさせ、このままでは世界は加速度的に「いつか来た道」へ舞い戻ることになりかねない段階に陥らせたと言っても過言ではあるまい。
逆説的に言えば、今こそ日本は、過去の過ちを一切の弁解抜きで反省し謝罪し償うべきなのかもしれない。そうやってはじめて、まさに過去の自分自身の姿とも見える国々に対して、その愚かさを諌めることができる。それが、悲惨にして貴重な敗戦を経験した国の史的使命だと思うのだが。
（筆者は埼玉大学名誉教授）
だからこそ、現代社会では、どんな極悪非道な人物であっても、公正な裁判の下、自身の言い分を申し立てる権利を有するのだろう。とはいっても、「三分の理」はあくまで「三分の理」であって、後の「七部の非」については潔く反省することが求められることは元よりである。また、この「反省」に当たっては、過去の行為ないし史実をできるだけ正確に認識することが必要となる。
ところで、今の日本は、複数の国から「歴史認識が甘く、きちんとした反省が見られない」との批判を受けている。そこでひるがえって見ると、先の大戦前および戦争中に、日本が「植民地支配」「大陸侵攻」「真珠湾先制攻撃」等を行なったことは史的事実であり、それらに対して謙虚に反省すべきは当然である。
また、その間、別途非難の対象とされている「虐殺行為」が行なわれ「従軍慰安婦」が存在していたことも事実であり、それらについて「虐殺員数の多少」とか「軍の関与の有無」にかかわらず、一方的に反省を求められるのも当然だと言える。すなわち、ここで「数」とか「関与」といったことを言うのは「三分の理」を針小棒大に唱えるに等しく、「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」という現代価値基準に照らして悪業であることを否定する理由とはなりえないから、日本は素直に謝罪と反省をすべきである。
このように日本の過去の非を認め被害者に謝罪した上でのことであるが、それだけではまだ「反省」したことにはならない。なぜなら、それでは本来の「反省」の目的である「過去の経験から得た教訓を将来に向けて活かす」という点が欠け落ちてしまうからである。
そう考えると、反省すべきなのは、何も日本など敗戦国だけではなく、過去・現在「植民地支配」「侵略」「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」等といった悪業を為した国・者全員でなければならない。というより、戦勝国ほど敗戦国の愚かさを嘲笑うだけではなく、敗戦国の愚かさを「他山の石」として自らが同じ轍を踏まぬようにすべきであろう。
当然、それには、各自が史実としての自らの「植民地支配」「侵略」「虐殺」「従軍慰安婦」等をきちんと認識することが欠かせない。それを「蛮地に文明の光を与えた」として植民地支配を正当化したり、「歴史的にも自国の領土だったことがある」として版図拡大を図ったり、「戦争終結のため」あるいは「テロリスト撲滅のため」として大空襲・原爆投下とか無人機等攻撃で無辜の住民まで巻き添えにしたり、「相手国ないし現地住民が有償提供した」として性的奴隷を合法化していたのでは、いつまでたっても「三分の理」が大手を振って闊歩することになろう。
また、そうした「勝ち組」の慢心が永年内心のコンプレクスを抑え込んできた敗戦国や弱小民族の心中に、「我々自身もっと力を持たねば」という衝動を湧き起こさせ、このままでは世界は加速度的に「いつか来た道」へ舞い戻ることになりかねない段階に陥らせたと言っても過言ではあるまい。
逆説的に言えば、今こそ日本は、過去の過ちを一切の弁解抜きで反省し謝罪し償うべきなのかもしれない。そうやってはじめて、まさに過去の自分自身の姿とも見える国々に対して、その愚かさを諌めることができる。それが、悲惨にして貴重な敗戦を経験した国の史的使命だと思うのだが。
（筆者は埼玉大学名誉教授）
一般社団法人 日本英語交流連盟