Experts urge upholding Tokyo Trials' outcomes

Experts from home and abroad emphasized the crucial importance of upholding the outcomes of the Tokyo Trials, which they argued are deeply intertwined with current international political realities, Japan's future trajectory, and the peace and stability of Asia and the rest of the world.

Although the Japanese government has not formally dismissed the Tokyo Trials, experts warned about the growing sentiment in Japan that seeks to negate their significance. They made the remarks during an international symposium held in Shanghai on Thursday to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Tokyo Trials.

Experts also said there are still positive evaluations of the Tokyo Trials within Japanese academia, although these have largely been overshadowed and remain outside the public eye.

Cheng Zhaoqi, director of the Center for the Tokyo Trial Studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said, "As the most significant victor and victim in the East Asian theater of World War II, and as a major participant in the Tokyo Trials, China has the responsibility to assertively defend the trials' justice and legitimacy on the international stage. It is essential to dispel misconceptions and educate more people about the truth and significance of the Tokyo Trials. This is not only about restoring historical justice, but also about warning future generations and preventing humanity from sliding back into the abyss of another world war."

The conference — jointly hosted by SJTU and the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders — brought together dozens of experts and scholars from countries including China, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and Brazil.

The Tokyo Trials, commenced in May 1946, delivered justice against Japan's top war criminals. Over the course of two years and seven months, the tribunal held 818 court sessions, reviewed 4,336 pieces of evidence and heard testimonies of 419 witnesses, resulting in more than 48,000 pages of trial records and a 1,200-page verdict.

Experts agreed that the Tokyo Trials legally sanctioned the wartime aggressors and upheld human civilization and international justice. They provided an unequivocal legal reckoning of Japan's wartime atrocities through irrefutable evidence and due process.

Strong emphasis

On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning highlighted the international community's strong emphasis for the significant value of the Tokyo Trials at a regular news briefing in Beijing, in response to a question on the international symposium.

"There is a common pursuit of humanity's conscience, fairness and justice, which is embodied in the Tokyo Trials, and the common concern over defending the outcomes of the victory of World War II, safeguarding the postwar international order and urging Japan to not repeat its past mistakes of militarism.

"We will work with all peace-loving countries and people to firmly reject any attempts to reverse history's verdict on aggression. We also admonish Japanese right-wing forces to listen to the calls for justice and stop plunging further down the dead-end path of neo-militarism. The lessons of history are still fresh in memory. Anyone who undermines peace and challenges righteousness and consciousness is bound to be brought once again before the court of history and justice," Mao said.

Scholars said that since the 1980s, controversies have intensified due to visits by various Japanese political leaders to the highly controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where convicted WWII war criminals are honored, leading to a growing discourse that questions the Tokyo Trials.

According to Cheng, the center's director, about half of the books on the Tokyo Trials in Japan aim to negate the verdict.

"Judgments from the Tokyo Trials are part of the postwar international treaty system. Denying the trials ultimately seeks to dismantle the legal framework imposed on Japan after its defeat, which could potentially pave the way for Japan to reassert itself as a military power," Cheng said.

Hiroshi Shiratori, president of the Japan Political and Legal Studies Association, emphasized the need to confront history. He said the Tokyo Trials laid the foundation for Japan's postwar pacifism.

"Japan must not veer toward a new form of militarism. Its development should be rooted in regional cooperation," he said, adding that most Japanese citizens are committed to maintaining peace and believe that mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and China are crucial to the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hwang Woo-yea, former deputy prime minister of the Republic of Korea, said historical divisions in Asia remain unhealed. He expressed hope for collaborative efforts among countries to address historical grievances, seeing this as necessary for Asia to move toward an era of genuine harmony and trust.

Qi Dahai, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Treaty and Law Department, said a series of legal arrangements, including the Tokyo Trials, were a prerequisite for Japan's reintegration into the international community after the war.