Morimoto Koji, a senator of Japan's House of Councilors who is
visiting Changchun, capital of Jilin Province, northeast China, has
vowed to be an "ambassador of peace" in the promotion of
Japan-China friendship.
"In the ancient times, a Chinese thinker made every effort to
prevent war between two kingdoms," he said in an interview, "I want
to follow his suit."
The senator said this is why he is visiting China on the 70th
anniversary of the 'September 18 Incident', an incident created by
Japanese militarists on September 18, 1931, at Liutiaohu near
Shenyang, which marks the beginning of China's 14-year long bloody
war against Japanese aggression.
"My childhood was overshadowed with tragedies brought by the war,
including the death of my father when I was only two years old," he
said.
"As I grew older, I realized more and more the importance of peace
for a nation and a family," he added.
Morimoto Koji said he wanted future generations of Japanese to know
all the facts about Japan's aggression on China. "We have to face
up to history and uphold justice if we want peace," he said.
The faith to promote bilateral friendship has clung to him since
1968, when 24-year-old Morimoto Koji heard the proposals on the
normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations, put forth by the
Sokagakukai, a Japanese religious body.
In
1979, Morimoto Koji visited China for the first time, with a
delegation of the Sokagakukai. "I was deeply impressed by the
broad-minded Chinese people," he recalled.
As
a dietman, he visited China again in 1993 and 1994, and was met by
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji. This is his
fourth China visit.
"I
was born in Nara, at the eastern end of the 'Silk Road'," he said,
"I know very well that we Japanese benefited a lot from the
splendid Chinese culture and civilization."
However, Japan's aggression cost the lives of many Chinese and left
an "ineffaceable scar" on the memory of those who have survived,
said the senator.
"I
apologize to all the Chinese who suffered from the war,
particularly those in the three northeast provinces," he said, "And
I would like to express my condolence to all the Chinese victims in
the war."
"We should mend our way, rather than attempting to deny or confuse
history," said the senator, "I sincerely hope that more people from
the two sides will contribute to the great cause of Japan-China
friendship."
eastday.com.cn09/19/2001