Japanese Politicians Must Listen to the Voices of Asian Peoples (By Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Philippine)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.buddhism.nichiren From: fujiko@ix.netcom.com(Fujiko Mi'ne) Subject: Peoples of Asia Support Soka Gakkai (4) Date: 11 Jun 1996 22:35:44 GMT Hello Everybody! I am very sorry that I could not still get back to you. My life has been very busy with over-time work, but please do not worry. I never forgot you all! Anyway I want to share with you an article I found on October 19, 1995 Seikyo Shimbun. This was contributed by Dr. Jose V. Abueva. He is the former President of Philippine University whose parents were killed by Japanese soldiers together with one million Pholippine people. When I was reading this article, his words moved my heart and I cried. He is very compassionate, tolerant and very humanistic. He reminded me Daishonin's Gosho - The real meaning of the Lord Shakyamuni Buddha's appearance in this world lay in his behavior as a human being. Please read this, and share your opinions in a.r.b.n. Love always, Fujiko ****************************************************** Japanese Politicians Must Listen to the Voices of Asian Peoples By Dr. Jose V. Abueva I had the opportunity to stay in Japan with my family for more than seven years during the period of 1977 to 1987. While I was working in the United Nations University, I became to know the Japanese life style, culture, and system and so on. I observed and experienced various events during my stay. Telling my view as a political scientist, I was deeply impressed especially with the Japanese Constitutional responsibility for peace and democracy. But in contrast to this responsibility for peace in the International relationship, I found that Japanese government tried to distort and conceal the documents of invasion, suppression and cruel acts against Asian peoples during World War Two. As a person whose parents were tortured and killed by the Japanese soldiers, and in whose country one million people were killed during World War Two, I really worried about the behavior of the Japanese government. Japanese diet keeps refusing to apologize to the occupied countries for the inhuman acts which Japanese military of those days had done. This fact made me fear that Japan would repeat the evil history again. Japanese government did not show any sign of regret. Fortunately, I had a chance to visit Soka university, Soka Gakkai, and Soka Gakkai International during my stay. I had interest in their activities to contribute to world peace through the international cultural and educational exchanges based on the faith in the dignity of life. Furthermore, I learned that the first and second presidents of Soka Gakkai had been put in prison by the military authorities because of their faith as a pacifist. I also have met many Japanese who have had strong desire for the Japanese government to apologize for their cruel acts which were done during World War Two and to compensate the international society by feeling self- reproach.These Japanese included scholars and faculties at United Nation University, my children's classmates, and my friend, a ceramic artist, Akio Shokichi who taught my daughter how to use his own kiln. From 1987 to 1993 I had been the president of Philippine University. During that time I became to feel deep respect and admiration to Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, Soka Gakkai International President, as a global-scale leader and an intellectual who has been devoting his life to peace and cultural exchange. Both the individual connection between Mr. Ikeda and me, and the relationship between Soka University and Philippine University became much closer and still are growing deeper. Because of Soka Gakkai, I evaluate Japan highly. But it is true that at the same time I feel fear towards Japan after I left Japan. I would like to specifically show my objection towards the amendment of the Religious Cooperation Law, because of sad and bitter experience of millions of Asian people during World War Two. This intentional amendment is not only designed to help government to control religious organizations, but also is the violation of the separation of Church and the State. The freedom of religion has been guaranteed as a basis of democracy afater World War Two by the Japanese peaceful Constitution. If the amendment is implemented, all religious groups including Soka Gakkai may be restricted from the freedom of speech and participation in political activities. The reason military authorities invaded Asian countries 50 years ago was that Japanese government violated democratic principles, such as the expression of opinions and the rights of political activities. Therefore, peace and democracy are inseparable universal values. All human beings in any country who love peace and freedom have to cooperate each other in order to protect people's conscience and endeavor to be improved. Democracy will be improved and protected only when the nation doesn't interfere unfairly with religious organizations, non government organizations, and the public organizations for their voluntary work. Japan had controlled religious and civil organizations, and started war killing millions of foreign peoples. For both neighbors and the entire world, Japan must never repeat this history. ***************************************************** Dr. Abueva has a degree in political science and was the former President of Philippine University. He was born in 1928. When he was a child, his parents were caught and killed by Japanese soldiers, because they made resistance to Japanese military authorities that invaded Philippine. After he graduated from Philippine University in 1950, he pursued political science in Michigan University. After he went back to Philippine and taught in Philippine University, he worked in the United Nation University. During that time, he stayed in Japan for seven and a half years. In 1987 he became the 15th President of Philippine University and held the position until 1993. Return to Fujiko's Homepage