小泉首相任內將日本經濟帶回景氣，而且將日本與西方國家的合作更加緊密。但，他也因參拜神社及教科書的書，引發南韓及中國的抗議。很多西方人士也附和認為日本至今沒有撫平南韓及中國二次戰後的情緒，及對日本軍國主義的疑慮。作者認為這種「有一方不滿意表示另一方就是錯誤」的邏輯是錯的。
作者認為，南韓及中國持續攻擊日本在地理戰略上是有其目的的，甚至不惜利用六十年前的陳年舊事。
事實是，日本在戰後已經多次為二戰公開正式的道歉，但是，有些國家就無視於此。把參拜神社視為日本軍國主義的復甦，作者認為是不對稱的比喻。日本戰後已經實施民主制度，民主國家發動軍事擴張的可能性比獨裁國家（如中國）少。而且日本一直是亞洲國家中，對人權最重視的國家。小泉也一再表示參拜神社不是對戰犯致敬。
其次，有人指稱德國已擺脫二戰而日本沒有。這個類比更不相稱，完全忽略了東亞特殊的政治。德國戰後很快融入歐洲，因為歐洲的基本價值相同。和鄰國的關係，就是在於價值觀是否相同，日本所面對的東亞政治與歐洲大不相同，東亞必須面對專制中國的崛起，台灣的問題，中國的媒體一向受官方控制，不願意忠實傳播日本的形象，製造反日情緒，以配合中國霸權政府的利益。兩國人民的仇視態度，不能單方面只怪日本的行為。
日本已經書面口頭多次公開對二戰抱歉，和解需要雙方，一個國家道歉，必須另一個國家接受道歉才行。
Reconciliation is a two-way street
Mitsuru Kitano International Herald Tribune
Published: September 22, 2006
As Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan prepares to leave office this month, the record of his era is clear- a dramatic return to economic growth and close collaboration with the West in fighting terrorism. His achievements are rightly praised by the international community.
Unfortunately, Koizumi’s departure is also providing critics yet another chance to probe Japan’s ”history problem” - the allegation that Japan has failed to square its relations with China and Korea more than 60 years after World War II.
This view was expressed recently by G. John Ikenberry of Princeton University, who argued in The Washington Post that ”Japan has not been able to eliminate the suspicions and grievances that still linger in China and Korea about Japan’s militaristic past.”
This is a perspective proceeding from a misconception that if one side is not satisfied, the other must be wrong. In other words, if China and Korea continue to complain, then Japan is at fault.
Lost in translation is the possible geopolitical benefit some countries might enjoy by keeping Japan on the defensive, even if it means exploiting events more than 60 years in the past.
Following are major misconceptions regarding Japan’s ”history problem” and the real facts behind each.
Prime Minister Koizumi’s visits to the Yasukuni Shrine show that Japan has not abandoned its history of militarism.
There can be no dispute that Japan was on the side that inflicted damage during World War II. However, it is no less indisputable that Japan has expressed remorse and apologized for its past many times, and since the war has acted with unflagging reverence for democracy and respect for human rights.
Regarding the Yasukuni Shrine, the prime minister has repeatedly stated that the purpose of his visits is not to glorify Japan’s militaristic past or the Class A war criminals listed in the shrine, but to renew his vow never to go to war again.
Moreover, Japanese themselves are broadly divided in their views on Koizumi visiting the shrine - proof that democracy is fully functional in Japan.
Germany has put World War II to rest, but Japan has not.
Using Germany as a role model for building trust with neighboring countries ignores unique challenges specific to East Asia, such as the rise of China and issues concerning Taiwan and North Korea.
East Asia is fractured geopolitically, while Germany’s reintegration with the West benefited greatly from the perception of a common threat from the Soviet Union, as well as common values shared with its neighbors.
Overcoming problems with neighboring countries depends largely on who those neighbors are. China’s media environment under Communist rule, for example, has prevented a true portrait of Japan from emerging, generating hostile feelings toward Japan that pose a major obstacle to mutual understanding.
The Japan-U.S. alliance should not expand further because it inflames regional antagonism.
For decades, Japan and the United States have collaborated to achieve peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, based on universal values and common interests. Shared objectives include encouraging China’s responsible and constructive role in the family of nations, encouraging the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue, and defusing issues relating to North Korea.
Of course, Japan should work hard in many fields to develop its own positive relations with neighboring countries. However, it is preposterous to reconsider the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance so as not to displease Japan’s neighbors, while discounting the alliance’s proven value in building regional security.
We should squarely face history. But history should not be used to influence the present or the future.
Japan is eager to reconcile history. Japan has apologized on numerous occasions for its wartime behavior, in word and writing, and Japan’s 60-year history since World War II has exemplified this. But for history to be reconciled, one side must apologize, and the other must accept the apology. It cannot be a one- sided action.
Mitsuru Kitano is the minister of public affairs for the Japanese Embassy in Washington.
文章定位：
