History buffs can learn more about Asian issues of yesteryear via a newly launched online archive based on a proposal by the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, but references to Japanese wartime military activities in Asia were cut due to pressure from Liberal Democratic Party members.
The Japan Center for Asian Historical Records, located within the National Archives of Japan in Tokyo, stores a variety of historical documents on a computerized database, according to government officials.
These documents include information on the war fought by Japan under Emperor Showa, the father of the current Emperor, the officials said.
The online service was launched at www.jacar.go.jp/ on Friday evening, they said.
The establishment of the center was proposed in August 1995 as one of a number of projects marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Although the online center currently only offers a Japanese search function, the officials in question said they are considering plans to offer an English search function soon.
The site will also feature English explanations on various aspects of the center and a broad outline of the documents on offer, they added.
The archive was originally supposed to feature documents on the activities of the Imperial Japanese Army in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania during the first half of the 20th century, as well as correspondence relating to Japanese foreign affairs.
This section was cut, however, after LDP members complained that the documents place too much emphasis on Japan's aggression in the region. They members then forced the center to narrow the scope of its objectives and materials.