Statement on problems relating to Japanese History Textbook
and Prime Minister's Yasukuni Shrine Visit

Working together for the abolition of nuclear weapons and firmly standing for peace, mutual understanding and friendship between Asian countries and Japan, we express our deep concern and strong indignation over the Japanese government's approval of the "New History Textbook" and the Japanese Prime Minister's plan to visit Yasukuni Shrine.

We cannot tolerate any attempt to distort or gloss over the historical fact of the war of aggression and of colonial domination by Japanese militarism because it only helps undermine good neighborly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the rest of Asia and seriously threaten Asian peace. If Japanese government continues this attitude, it can not but be isolated in Asia and deepen the contradiction.

As an expression of solidarity with the Japanese peace movement which is pressing its government to truly reflect on the past war of aggression in Asia, representatives of peace movements in Asian countries, including China, Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam, which were invaded and colonized by Japanese militarism, call on the Japanese government to:

• Sincerely listen to Asian nations strongly criticizing the Japanese government, revoke its approval of the history textbook directed by the "Japanese Society of History Textbook Reform" which glorifies the Japanese war of aggression and not repeat the same mistake in the future.
• Cancel the plan of the Prime Minister's official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which was used to mobilize the Japanese people to the war of aggression and which enshrines war criminals even today.

Hiroshima, August 5, 2001

Niu Qiang / Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament
Lee Yu Jin / Green Korea United
Corazon Fabros / Nuclear-Free Philippines Coalition
Duy Thuy Quach / Vietnam Peace Committee

Resolve of Japanese Peace Movement on the Statement by Four Representatives of Peace Movements in Asia

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unjustifiable by any standard. At the same time, we recognize that it has close connections with the war of aggression by Japanese militarism. The Japanese Movement against A and H Bombs therefore has demanded that the Japanese government, while criticizing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, fundamentally reflect on its past war of aggression against and colonization of Asian countries.

There are planned actions on the occasion of the war termination, August 15th 2001. We would like to reiterate our determination to do our utmost in order to successfully organize them.

Kouichi Akamatsu / Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)
Tomoyasu Kawai / Japan Congress of Scientists
Mitsuo Sato / Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)
Hiroshi Suda / Japan Peace Committee

*Simultaneous actions in Asia and the world are suggested on August 15th 2001, the 56th anniversary of the defeat of Japanese militarism in the WWII and the planned date of Japanese prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Various forms of protest actions are expected towards Japanese government, embassies and consulates in respective countries, such as mass rallies and performances, sending messages by fax, e-mail, postcard, etc.