2024-03-23 09:09:57
While it was confirmed that the textbook that Japanese middle school students will be using starting next year was written in a way that obscures the history of Japanese colonial rule, it was pointed out that the ‘textbook conflict’ could have a negative impact on the relationship between the two countries.
Nam Sang-gu, head of research policy at the Northeast Asian History Foundation, made this statement while explaining how to view Japan’s history textbook problem at an expert seminar held today (23rd) at the Northeast Asian History Foundation in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
Director Nam said, “Amid the rapidly changing international situation, there are more and more areas in which Korea and Japan, who share the values of liberal democracy and market economy, need to cooperate,” and added, “Young people, the future generation, will avoid prejudice against each other’s history through textbooks.” “If we distrust each other, it is difficult to create a Korea-Japan relationship based on trust,” he said, raising his voice.
The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology confirmed the results of the review of textbooks that will be used in Japanese middle schools starting in 2025.
However, among the 18 types of social studies textbooks that passed the test, 15 described Korea as “illegally occupying” Dokdo, and the number of textbooks that said Dokdo was Japan’s “inherent territory” increased compared to the 2020 test results.
In particular, in the issue of conscription and comfort women, a section was found that seemed to reflect a historical revisionist tendency to claim that there was no coercion, and it was pointed out that this was an attempt to erase Japan’s history of abuse.
Experts who attended that day also pointed out that there were problems with major narratives such as Dokdo and Korean history.
Foundation researcher Seok Joo-hee said, “Techniques referring to Dokdo as ‘Japan’s inherent territory’ and ‘Korea’s illegal occupation’ are becoming established,” and suggested, “We must respond from a comprehensive and long-term perspective.”
Attendees expressed bitterness at the misperceptions of Japanese academia, but emphasized the need to work together to establish correct history through future joint research.
Director Nam Sang-gu said, “We tried to describe Japan’s forced annexation of Korea and the March 1st Movement objectively, excluding some textbooks,” and added, “The adoption rate of Jiyusha, the textbook publisher in question, was 0.04%, and Ikuhosha’s was 1.1%.” He said.
There was also an opinion that the movement to properly view Korean history in Japan should be strengthened.
Cho Yun-soo, director of the International Relations Research Institute at the Foundation, said, “Even within Japan, there are forces reflecting on past history,” and added, “Efforts to correct the wrong parts but describe them properly require empathy and support.”
1711195575
#issue #Japanese #textbooks #blurring #Japanese #colonial #era #Historical #prejudice #difficult #trust #Korea #Japan