Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Oct. 31 dismissed Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Toshio Tamogami over his essay, which stated it is "false" to accuse Japan of having been an aggressor nation before and during World War II. The essay also implied that the Self-Defense Forces should be allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense and possess "offensive" weapons — a position that runs counter to the government's interpretation of the Constitution.
His essay — titled "Was Japan an aggressor nation?" — won the top prize in a writing contest under the theme of "A truthful view of modern history," sponsored by a Tokyo-based operator of a business hotel chain. It clearly challenged the position the government has taken on Japan's war since the Aug. 15, 1995 statement, which then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama made on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Mr. Murayama said in part, "Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis, and through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations." He called what happened "these irrefutable facts of history" and expressed "my feelings of deep remorse" and stated "my heartfelt apology."