All Issues Should be Solved through Dialogue and Consultation

Hatoyama Yukio,former Japanese Prime Minister

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All Issues Should be Solved through Dialogue and Consultation

Hatoyama Yukio,former Japanese Prime Minister

On the occasion of the solemn observance of the 2018 International Day of Peace by the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament in Nanjing, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations.

Historically, the Japanese invaders killed a large number of innocent Chinese people in Nanjing. No matter how many people are killed, even if only one, killing itself is a crime. As the former Prime Minister of Japan, I sincerely apologize for the crimes committed by Japanese soldiers in the past.

However, I am ashamed that there are still some people in Japan who are unwilling to acknowledge this fact. Those who advocate Grand Japan doctrine fantasize that Japan will once again become a militarist country as in the past. This is exactly a manifestation of spiritual cowardice. I firmly believe that peace cannot be achieved by the use of force. French philosopher Montaigne once said that defense can lead to attack. If one side increases its armaments continuously in order to upgrade its defensive capability, the opponent will often over-interpret its intentions, thus raising vigilance, leading to spiraling enhancement of their military strength. This is an arms race, which is more likely to lead to war and the paradox of defense.

At last year's Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping says that the Belt and Road will be built into a road of peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and civilization, and move towards a better tomorrow. He also says on different occasions that no matter what stage China develops, it will never seek hegemony or expansion, "there is no gene in the blood of the Chinese people for hegemony and militarism". President Xi also calls on various countries to build a community with a shared future for humankind and achieve win-win cooperation and shared benefits.

Before the end of last year, North Korea continuously conducted nuclear tests. Since this year, the North side and South side of the Korean Peninsula as well as the United States and North Korea have held summit meetings respectively. I believe that many rounds of summit meetings will be needed before the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be achieved. A Japanese prime minister once said that the era of dialogue had come to an end and Japan had been pushed aside. In the future, in order to achieve the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, all parties, including Japan, need to make concerted efforts.

We firmly believe that all problems should be solved through dialogue and consultation. Dr. John Garton, the founder of peace studies, pointed out that the so-called "active pacifism" is not satisfied with merely being in a non-war situation, but also to eliminate the root causes of threats to peace, such as poverty and discrimination. In order to prevent war from happening in East Asia and eliminate all factors that may cause disputes, I put forward an idea of "East Asian Community" and hope to make it a reality. We need to carry forward the spirit of "fraternity" and build a beautiful future, that is to safeguard the dignity of ones own country while respecting the dignity of other countries.

"Friendship" is not a new idea, and is originated from the idea of "universal love" put forward by Mozi, a thinker in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring Kingdoms Period. Mozi's concept of "universal love" and "non-aggression" holds that if we love others as ourselves, there will be no disputes and wars. In addition, the Analects of Confucius mentions "benevolence" and "forgiveness". The so-called "benevolence" means that one should establish others before intending to establish oneself and reach people before giving them guidance. The so-called "forgiveness" is what you don't onto others as you would not have them do onto you. There is another saying called "courtesy is used, and harmony is precious". It is easy for us Orientals to understand the idea of respecting "courtesy" and "harmony". If we can read more books like The Analects of Confucius andQunshu Zhiyao, etc. and learn from traditional Chinese culture, the possibility of disputes will be greatly reduced. I look forward to the early arrival of this day.

(Edited excerpt of the paper to the observance event in Nanjing 2018)