Table Coordinator : Naoki Matsuo (Waseda University, Law, Sophomore)
Assistant Coordinator : Arata Aoshima (Waseda University, Law, Sophomore)

Outline

The "History textbook issue" is the problem about the historical awareness or the descriptions in history textbooks among various countries. Especially between Korea and Japan, there is a difference in perception about the facts of the World War II, and this is currently preventing the countries from getting along with each other. Why has this difference in perception occurred?

In the "History textbook issue" there are two positions: The Japanese perspective and the Korean perspective and I think this is the cause of the conflict. It is inevitable that the interpretation of history should be different from the actual history. However, history is interpreted arbitrarily as it can be seen in how Japan ignores the opinions of Korea to interpret history, and each makes the history textbooks based on it. As a result of this, interpretation of history usually causes most people to perceive it as "fact" and not a one-sided interpretation.

The cause of the "History textbook issue" is to emphasize its own national advantage. To emphasize its own national advantage means that countries will often end up criticizing each other, sometimes even meaninglessly.

An excessive sense of belonging to one country causes exclusive attitudes among countries or peoples. Is this exclusive attitude really necessary? At least, from the ideology of law, it is useless. In the ideology of law, freedom and equality is the unchanging and everlasting truth and cooperation among countries is important for world peace. This excessive sense of belonging to one country is what makes people forget about the unchanging and everlasting truth and prevents countries from cooperation, which is contrary to the ideology of law. In short, we should overcome it for international cooperation.

In this ST, through thinking what the ideal History textbook is together, we will try to explore the sense of patriotism and framework we set for our own countries. I believe we will be able to establish a true relationship as long as we make an effort to understand each other's opinions and backgrounds and try to think outside of our usual frame of mind.

Greeting

I would like you to discuss actively because ST's Table Discussion is a chance to exchange ideas, so don't hesitate to speak in order not to waste the chance. But it is also a waste of chance to become emotional too much, because ST is meaningless without enjoying yourselves. Therefore, the most important thing is to enjoy the discussion and I am going to make it! Through our Table Discussion, I hope we can make true and strong friendship with each other. I am looking forward to seeing you in Japan!!