소녀상 곁에 선 일본 평화활동가…“침략 역사, ‘종전’으로 미화해선 안돼”

On August 15th, Japan celebrates "Victory Day" to commemorate the end of World War II. However, this term is seen as an oversimplification of Japan's history of invasion and must not be used to downplay the suffering of Asian victims. On the day before the 14th, Japanese peace activist Hisaya Maiko met a group of activists at a cafe in Seoul's Jongno-gu district.

Her words emphasized that the "Victory Day" signifies the end of war and a celebration of freedom, yet it overlooks the suffering of countless Asian victims in places like Korea, China, Mongolia, and Okinawa. Outside the cafe, preparations for the "Butterfly Culture Festival," a commemoration of comfort women, were underway. Hisaya Maiko serves as the joint representative of the "Peaceful Constitution Campaign," which opposes attempts by the Japanese government and right-wing parties to water down the Constitution's Article 9.

This constitution has been a point of contention between Japan and South Korea. Hisaya Maiko has been advocating for Japan's defense of the Constitution and opposing the right-wing's attempts to revise it. Despite recent tensions, Hisaya Maiko firmly believes that true peace arises from the solidarity of citizens, not from political calculations by the government.

She highlighted the impact of the "candlelight rallies" that led to the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and the ten years of Korean civil activism. Her efforts have contributed to a growing democratic consciousness and awareness of history among young people in Japan. The recent Hanoi peace talks, where 50,000 people gathered in support of the peace constitution, were a significant example of this shift in Japanese public opinion.

The activist expressed concern over hate groups disrupting the rallies and the ongoing harassment of comfort women victims. Despite these challenges, Hisaya Maiko remains hopeful, noting that the younger generation in Japan is increasingly embracing Korean names and thus experiencing a more profound understanding of history. She believes that Japan and South Korea's civil diplomacy will soon play a crucial role in strengthening their relations.