to Ms. Atsuko Toyama, Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture
Statement of Concern about Japanese History Textbook
On 3rd of April the junior high school history textbook edited by the Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (Chairman: Mr.Kanji Nishio) was approved by the Education Ministry screening panel.
This book has a number of references which condone Japan's history of invasion and colonial rule, and glorify the rule of the Emperor. The approval of such a textbook will certainly lead to the concealment, distortion and glorification of the history of invasions and atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Military. We are deeply worried such a situation might happen in the future.
We sincerely hope that Japan will start this new century filled with new hope by constructing strong solidarity with all the peoples of Asia, regardless of nationality or race. For this, it is incumbent upon we Japanese to strive in all humility for honesty in historical interpretation in words and deeds, and thus win the trust of our fellow Asians. Based on this attitude, Japan has to review its past, reflect on it, determine not to repeat the same faults, and cooperate with other Asian countries. We will never attain all these unless we make serious efforts to make our own the viewpoint of the Asian countries which were victimized by the Japanese Military in the past.
The historical viewpoint of the above-mentioned Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform creates a big obstacle to the achievement of the Asian peoples' deep aspirations for justice, peace, and respect for human rights. Therefore we wish to express our deepest concerns about the approval of their history textbook distorted by their wrong tenets.
7th May, 2001
Cathollic Bishops' Conference of Japan
Peter Takeo Okada (Tokyo Archdiocese)
Paul Yoshinao Otsuka (Kyoto Diocese)
Raphael Masahiro Umemura (Yokohama Diocese)
Augustine Jun-ichi Nomura (Nagoya Diocese)
Leo Jun Ikenaga (Osaka Archdiocese)
Michael Goro Matsuura (Osaka Archidiocese)
Joseph Atsumi Misue (Hiroshima Diocese)
Joseph Satoshi Fukahori (Takamatsu Diocese)
Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto (Nagasaki Archdiocese)
Dominic Ryoji Miyahara (Oita Diocese)