In elementary school textbooks that will be used in Japan from next year, the expression of forced mobilization during the Japanese occupation era disappears or is vaguely described so that Japan is not responsible. The unreasonable claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory is also maintained.
According to South Korean and Japanese diplomats on the 27th, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will hold a general meeting of the textbook approval investigation committee on the afternoon of the 28th and approve the textbook approval for the 3rd to 6th grades of elementary schools.
Currently, a social studies textbook for sixth graders in Japanese elementary schools states, “As the war dragged on (omitted), a large number of Koreans and Chinese were forcibly brought in and forced to do harsh labor under poor conditions in factories and mines.” However, in the new textbooks, the expression ‘forced’ disappears, and there is a high probability that ‘being dragged’ will change to ‘participate’.
If the Japanese government approves the textbook approval, the South Korean government plans to strongly protest to the Japanese government through diplomatic channels and invites high-ranking officials from the Japanese embassy in Korea to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.