南京「哀悼日」 容認できぬ一方的な反日宣伝

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Xi uses Nanjing ‘day of mourning’ as propaganda tool against Japan
南京「哀悼日」　容認できぬ一方的な反日宣伝

Such a one-sided imposition of perceptions of history is only amplifying anti-China sentiment in Japan, and is unproductive. It is totally unacceptable.
　一方的な歴史認識の押し付けは、日本国内の反中感情を増幅させるだけで、非生産的だ。到底、容認できない。

On Dec. 13, the anniversary of the Nanjing Incident by the former Imperial Japanese Army in 1937, a commemorative service was held at “The memorial hall of the victims in Nanjing massacre by Japanese invaders” in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province. In a speech at the ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again claimed “300,000 people were killed” in the incident.
　１９３７年に旧日本軍による南京事件が起きた１３日、江蘇省南京の「大虐殺記念館」で追悼行事が行われた。習近平国家主席は演説で、事件で「３０万人が殺された」と改めて主張した。

Xi emphasized that any attempt to deny this figure was unforgivable. “We must firmly oppose any attitude dismissing the history of the invasion or comments that glorify it,” he said.
　この数字の否定は許さないと強調し、「侵略の歴史を顧みない態度、美化する言論に断固反対しなければならない」と語った。

However, there is scant objective evidence to back up the claim that 300,000 people were killed. The Japanese government has admitted the fact that civilians were killed by Japanese soldiers, but says it is difficult to determine precisely how many people died.
　だが、「３０万人」は客観的な根拠に乏しい。日本政府は、非戦闘員の殺害の事実は認めつつ、犠牲者数の確定は難しいとする。

In Japan, the dominant view is that, based on demographic statistics for Nanjing at that time and other factors, the death toll of 300,000 is far removed from reality. In 2010, a joint research team of Japanese and Chinese historians released a report saying Japanese scholars have stated there are varying estimates on the number of victims in the incident, ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 to as many as 200,000.
　日本では、当時の南京の人口動態などから、「３０万人」は実態とかけ離れているとの見方が支配的だ。２０１０年発表の日中歴史共同研究の報告書で日本側は、「２０万人を上限に、４万人、２万人などの推計がある」と指摘した。

If China sticks to its position of “taking history as a mirror,” we think it should develop views based on historical facts that are backed up by internationally credible documents and materials.
　中国が「歴史を鑑かがみとする」と言うのなら、国際的に信頼できる資料の裏付けのある史実を基に、主張を展開すべきではないか。

Olive branch also extended

Earlier this year, the Xi administration designated Dec. 13 as a “day of national mourning” and Sept. 3 as a national day to “mark the victory in the war against Japan.” Elevating ceremonies held on both these days to state-level events appears aimed at making them “history cards” to be played against Japan in the diplomatic arena.
　習政権は今年初め、９月３日を「抗日戦争勝利記念日」、１２月１３日を「国家哀悼日」と定めた。両日の式典を国家行事に格上げしたのは、外交上、日本に対する「歴史カード」とする狙いがある。

Xi aspires to bring about the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese people.” His use of “patriotism” and “anti-Japanese sentiment” also appears motivated by a desire to boost the centripetal force of his administration. Xi is also seemingly feeling the need to ensure that his opponents within the Chinese Communist Party and the public are not given any excuse to criticize him.
　「中華民族の偉大な復興」を目指す習氏には、「愛国」や「反日」を利用し、政権の求心力を高める思惑もあろう。国民や共産党内の対抗勢力に、批判の口実を与えない必要性も感じているはずだ。

If this anti-Japan feeling is based on the vagaries of domestic politics, there is no likelihood the Xi administration will take steps to rectify this situation of its own accord in the foreseeable future.
　内政上の都合に基づく「反日」であれば、習政権による自発的な修正は当面、期待できない。

On the other hand, Xi also said at the ceremony, “The peoples of China and Japan must continue their friendship,” and, “We should not hate the [entire] people simply because a small number of militarists started a war of aggression.”
　一方、習氏は、「中日両国民は友好を続けねばならない」と語り、「少数の軍国主義者が起こした侵略戦争を理由に、その民族を敵視すべきでない」とも言明した。

Xi appears to be attaching great importance to the opportunity to repair ties presented by his summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in November. Alarmed by the slowdown in China’s economic growth, the president is certainly seeking to improve relations with Japan, especially in the economic field. There is no doubt Xi will continue to switch between “pressure” and “friendship” in his dealings with Japan.
　１１月の日中首脳会談で生まれた関係修復の機運を重視しているのだろう。成長減速に危機感を抱き、経済面を中心に対日関係の改善を模索しているのは確かだ。習氏は今後も、「圧力」と「友好」を使い分けるに違いない。

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, and issues of history will come under the spotlight in the international community. There are concerns China will step up its anti-Japan propaganda campaign. China and Russia have agreed to hold joint events to celebrate their victory in the war. Xi has also suggested that China and South Korea form a “united front” on the issue of historical understanding.
　戦後７０年の来年は、国際社会で歴史問題に注目が集まる。中国が反日宣伝活動を強めることが懸念される。ロシアとは戦勝記念行事の共催で合意した。韓国にも“共闘”を呼びかけている。

We think Japan should hit back at unfair propaganda with a resolute attitude. The nation must work harder to share information with the world to spread a correct understanding about Japan, including the path of a peaceful nation it has taken since the war.
　日本は、不当な宣伝には毅然きぜんとした姿勢で反論すべきだ。戦後の平和国家としての歩みを含め、世界に正しい対日理解を広げる情報発信の努力が欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2014)Speech