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Japan Forward
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
British Food and Music Shine at Tokyo Embassy
The British Embassy in Tokyo came alive on June 12 with the sounds, scents, and flavors of the United Kingdom at British Beats and Bites – A Celebration of UK Food, Drink and Culture. The event brought together diplomats, entrepreneurs, creatives, and media for an immersive cultural experience centered on the UK's evolving identity as a food and music powerhouse. Hosted in the elegant setting of the British Ambassador's residence, the evening showcased everything from classic British cuisine to artisanal drinks. It culminated in a Britpop-infused DJ set by none other than Alex James, the former bassist of Blur and now an ambassador for British food and drink. Opening the evening was Emil Levendoglu, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, who welcomed guests with warmth and humor. "It's a great pleasure to be welcoming you to a celebration of British food, drink, creativity — and, it turns out, cocktails," he said. Levendoglu described the modern British food scene as "bold, diverse, and globally inspired," noting how it has been shaped by the many cultures that make up contemporary Britain. "From Michelin-starred restaurants to buzzing food markets, our chefs and producers are constantly blending tradition with new ideas," he said, drawing a parallel with Japan's own culinary culture. Beyond food, Levendoglu emphasized the strong cultural ties between the UK and Japan. "This evening is also about the deep and enduring friendship between the UK and Japan, and the cultural ties that bind us together. Not just in food, but also in music, art, and creativity." Those cultural ties came to to life with the presence of Alex James, a man who embodies the crossover between British music and British food. Introduced by Levendoglu as "a very special guest" and "a passionate advocate for British food and drink," James brought not only nostalgia for his days in Blur but a sense of fun and reinvention. Blur bassist Alex James (©JAPAN Forward) Before his DJ set, James offered a heartfelt toast. "I really am delighted to be in Japan again with my family," he said. "And this time I'm not here as a musician — I'm here as a champion of UK food and drink." He went on to share how meaningful it was to see Japanese guests trying his own product, Brittle Pop, for the first time. "Hopefully, we've managed to get people thinking differently and created some new fans of UK food and drink." The crowd greeted the toast, "To the UK, and to Japan, and to food, and to drink, and to music," with a resounding "Kanpai!" Guests were treated to passed canapés like cold-smoked Scottish salmon on buttered toast, vol-au-vents filled with mushrooms, and bite-sized omelettes made with organic vegetables. Heartier fare included a shepherd's pie station, chicken curry, and roast beef served with ratatouille and gravy. Each dish offered a distinct window into the culinary identity of the UK. The sushi station, featuring kappamaki (thin sushi roll filled with cucumber) and tuna rolls, was a nod to the host country while underscoring the cross-cultural spirit of the evening. For cheese lovers, a curated selection featuring Wales' creamy Perl Las and England's Shropshire Blue, vintage cheddar, and Rutland Red added a tangy punch to the tasting experience. British cuisine at British Beats and Bites (©JAPAN Forward) Drinks reflected the diversity of the UK's four nations, with a showcase of gins and whiskies from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Signature cocktails made with spirits from all four nations added flair to the evening, while Belvoir soft drinks provided a refreshing non-alcoholic option. Desserts, including whisky-infused chocolate squares, blueberry custard tarts, and raspberry macarons, were passed around as the party reached its peak. To end on a sweet note, guests were gifted Ben's Cookies, while the afternoon tea photo booth, set with Wedgwood ceramics, offered a playful tribute to a timeless British tradition. Adding another layer of momentum to the evening, Rupert Daniels, Director of Services for the UK's Department of Business and Trade, likened the event to a band's tour. Tokyo, he said, was just the first stop before the team traveled to Osaka for a showcase at the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025. "You're really lucky — you're seeing the first night of the band on tour," he said. Daniels, who first came to Japan during the 2002 World Cup, spoke fondly of the shared passions that unite both countries. "The two things that brought everyone together, particularly from the UK and our wonderful Japanese hosts, were music, food, and drink, which is exactly what we're celebrating tonight." He also urged guests to explore and interact with the variety of UK producers represented at the event. "There are 15 or 16 different producers here tonight — from sparkling wine to whisky to wonderful confectionery. Go talk to someone you've never met before. Try something new. Let's keep this cultural interchange going strong." Bar at British Beats and Bites (©JAPAN Forward) While the event had all the hallmarks of successful public diplomacy, soft power through food, cultural nostalgia, and personal storytelling, it was ultimately about connection. It celebrated the human dimension of trade, creativity, and shared tastes. From signature dishes to sampling stations, from Britpop classics echoing across embassy halls to toasts of sparkling Brittle Pop, British Beats and Bites was more than a showcase — it was a shared table. As the evening continued under Tokyo's early summer skies, with glasses clinking and voices mingling, one thing was clear. The bonds between the UK and Japan are as much about what's on the plates, or in the speakers, as they are about politics or policy. Author: Daniel Manning
Japan Forward
09-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Start by Expanding Beyond Trade
Hudson Institute's Japan Chair challenges conventional international relations thinking by integrating a wide range of perspectives toward beyond-the-horizon policy issues. JAPAN Forward is pleased to amplify the voices of its fellows by sharing this report with our readers. Japan is facing a world suddenly beset by enormous uncertainties. Tokyo didn't ask for this moment, but it should take the embedded opportunity seriously. This is not a time to patiently wait for a return to the old normal. The ancien régime is gone. Instead, Tokyo should put forward ideas that transcend previous institutional arrangements. While the coming period will be challenging, Japan may never have a better opportunity to press for systemic change. By most accounts, the conversations between Japanese and American negotiators have been constructive. The US apparently wants to develop a framework agreement, undoubtedly encouraged by the one formulated very quickly with the UK. There is clearly no lack of goodwill between the two countries, and President Donald Trump's participation in the opening dialogue was more than just symbolic. He appreciates the extraordinary importance of the bilateral US-Japan relationship, and while the President takes issue with the merchandise trade imbalance, he and his team see value in creating win-win outcomes across a spectrum of subjects. Just as "war is too serious a matter to be left to the generals," financial, economic, and geostrategic relationships are too important to be left entirely in the hands of their respective specialists. The American administration isn't content with advancing an agenda within a narrow institutional framework (eg, trade). It is clear — if not clearly articulated — that the White House hopes to change the overarching framework itself. Trade, national defense, economic security, scientific cooperation, and cross-border investment flows are not just — in its view — stand-alone issues for discussion and negotiation, staffed by the elite inhabitants of exquisitely crafted separate castles, guarded by their own technocrats and autonomous rules. To the Trump administration, these issues are of common interest, require common popular support, derive from common fiscal support, and in some sense, are fungible in the hands of uncommon leadership. National leaders need to acknowledge that they own the totality of these processes and have to deliver a narrative to their home audience that makes sense of the bigger picture. This is a lot to ask. Nothing was easy before; now it gets harder. Even narrowly defined, bilateral trade negotiations are never straightforward dialogues that transparently improve all parties' welfare. Can leaders feasibly add national and economic security or other strategic issues to the negotiations? The downside risks are easy to envision. If negotiations drag on, the uncertainties and externalities can weigh heavily on growth. That's the most obvious risk, but there is substantial upside risk as well. The current system of multiple, narrow, expert-driven negotiations has drawbacks. The reemergence of global populist politics has been fueled by agitated groups of "losers" who have felt the weight of arrangements made without their input. Reframed properly, complex bilateral negotiations can take the air out of some of that populism. Both Japan and the US should come to the dialogue with a well mapped out and holistic picture of where they want to land. Further, both sides need to accept a form of negotiation that forgoes the rigid nothing-is-agreed-until-everything-is-agreed approach. Making provisional binding agreements on the path to the full package has to be ok. Because Japan and the US already have high trust and interconnectedness, this can work. The challenge is getting back to first principles: negotiators need to delineate the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the red-line boundaries of multiple policies irrespective of the structure of prior institutional arrangements. Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa (right) and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shake hands before trade talks in Washington, DC. (Pool photo viaKyodo) Governments are accustomed to framing activities against visible institutional boundaries, typically framed by inherited norms. What this paper contemplates is a set of agreements and arrangements that allow for interplay between formerly walled-off subject areas. Economic security is potentially fungible with investment conditions. Trade is potentially fungible with minimum national security conditions. Intellectual property with direct national security relevance is fungible with employment and consular rules. When the legacy boundaries are in flux or removed, one can examine bilateral (and multilateral) agreements that would never fit within prior structures. Here are some specific suggestions for Japan as it formulates what might be called a fungible portfolio of "Japan First" policy proposals: Start by recognizing the obvious: the institutions of the legacy rules-based international order never rebalanced to reflect the realities of modern Asia, even as the populations, productivity, prosperity, and centrality of Asia to a highly interdependent world unfolded. This can be a moment for rebalancing, and Japan can both host and influence those institutions as they are — and should be — reshaped and refocused. Some of the specific areas where this approach can be operationalized are described below. The West is home to the largest multilateral financial institutions (eg, the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions, or IFIs), the United Nations and its component institutions, the central bank of central banks (the Bank for International Settlements), and the world's largest security and defense entity (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization). It's time to encourage some of the IFIs to rebase themselves — specifically in Japan. If the US is ready to de-fund critically valuable parts of the UN institutional system, and if Europe's weak growth and financial outlook leave it unwilling or unable to support the pillars of international coordination and dialogue, then IFIs should move to a place where they would be valued and supported and where they can thrive. Digital tech, biomedical tech, and venture finance would benefit if they had a globally recognized hub in northeast Asia. These three fields are — unsurprisingly — mutually supportive. Institutional support for basic research at key universities and independent research institutes completes the picture. Japan already has success in all of these areas, but it lacks the scale to act as a gravitational force. As other countries back away from commitments in these areas — for different reasons — Japan can both fill a vacuum and create a global asset. The untapped human capital in East Asia would respond well to a viable opportunity in a nearby time zone. Becoming a global hub — whether for tech, finance, or any other area that thrives on continuous innovation — depends upon having enough people whose activities create a positive environment for doing more of the same work. These network effects in innovation are neither static nor mysterious. They require an environment that is conducive to the new, and that can act as a platform upon which innovators can grow and adapt. In other words, becoming a hub mostly requires ensuring that nothing obvious gets in the way. A ruthlessly honest assessment of domestic impediments could benefit both Japan and the US. Asia in general, and Japan in particular, can be a center for global thought leadership and a stage for communication and dialogue. The think tank ecosystem in Japan is strangely quiet and private. Corporate institutes abound, but in many ways they are sub-scale, narrowly focused, and punching below their weight. This doesn't reflect the quality of the human capital involved, so the issue is structural. More specifically, policy platforms and high-level regional security gatherings are relatively easy to sponsor, and Japan can afford to promote itself as a premier venue for security-focused institutional thinking. Washington, DC, hosts multiple public and private organizations that focus heavily on security, but these organizations aren't in DC strictly because the US is a dominant power. The causality goes both ways: the US has been dominant partially because of its convening power, and public dialogue that flows from thought leadership housed in think tanks such as Hudson Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and others. Tokyo can raise its profile in comparable ways. The government of Japan has long aspired to reinvigorate Tokyo as a global financial center. Many of us have written on this, been in discussions with government officials, and participated in public events aimed at shining a light on the virtues of bringing more financial headquarters to Tokyo. Working papers with specific proposals abound. Now is the time to make bold moves. Hong Kong is no longer the London of Asia, and Singapore is small and still a long way from the financial capitals of Japan, Korea, and China. If ever there was a good moment to announce policy measures that could entice more financial firms to bring their Asian HQs to Japan, that time is today. Japan occupies an indispensable place in the global supply chain for high-value-added goods, including products that are critical to the US defense supply chain. Tariffs and disruptions to global trading arrangements won't change this in the next few years, if ever. Japan can use this advantage as it thinks ahead to the give-and-take across other areas for negotiation. Factories, engineers, and expertise aren't readily mobile across national borders, and most importantly, human-centric intellectual property isn't either. Ask anyone involved in manufacturing high-value-added goods, and you will hear a story that belies political talk of significant tech-heavy reshoring. The reality is that it's a generational challenge. In the meantime, high-trust nations can co-develop pathways to a better balance across multiple fields. Japan can take the lead with the US and develop a framework in which both countries get more of what they want. Time is of the essence, and there's no reason for Japan to be unambitious. The pathway to a trade-plus deal will have ups and downs, crises and breakthroughs. It's unlikely to happen quickly, even if all parties aspire to a win-win outcome. The countries that bring a full and multidimensional agenda to the dialogue early will have a range of tools that may be valuable as the process unfolds. Japan brings more to the table than almost any other single country. None of this is going to be easy, but Japan is well-positioned to bring positive proposals to the negotiating table. The US administration knows what's at stake and should react well to proposals — including multidimensional ideas — that Japan and America can both describe as wins. A Good First Step: Analyzing the Trump-Ishiba Summit Author: Mark Siegel Mark Siegel is an adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute. He is also managing partner of Chancellors Point Partners LLC.
Japan Forward
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
NANBYO Day at Expo 2025: Taking On Rare Diseases Together, Joyfully and Inclusively!
このページを 日本語 で読む Let's all have fun thinking about it! Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, brought people together on May 23 in celebration of Japan's NANBYO Day and International Rare Disease Day (RDD Day). The event brought attention to the world's rare and intractable diseases. Supporters joined in the collaboration as patients performed songs and dances, sending out the message that "it's okay for each person to be different." Attending the event, her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Kiko joined in the singing. She also shared the words in her signature sign language, at which she excels. Afterward, she interacted with the patients and their families. Crown Princess Kiko exchanges comments with participants at NANBYO Rare Diseases Day on May 23 at Expo 2025, Osaka-Kansai. (©Sankei by Yasushi Kawamura) "For all of us, there are things we cannot do. But it's okay that we are all different," crooned singer-songwriter Ayako Ozawa from her wheelchair. She battles muscular dystrophy, an intractable disease that causes muscle weakness. Ayako Ozawa performing a song for NANBYO Day. (©Sankei by Yasushi Kawamura) Ozawa was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 20. At one time, she had given up on finding a job, getting married, and having children. However, with the encouragement of those around her, she was able to accomplish all three. She found a job, got married, and became a mother. "I can't raise my arms, and there are many things I can't do," Ozawa told the crowd. "But it means a lot to let people know that we are all the same human beings at this Expo." Soprano Mamiko Sakaida, who has been diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), an autoimmune disease, also let her voice soar from her wheelchair. Mamiko Sakaida sings onstage from her wheelchair. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) Singer-songwriter Ayako Ozawa, smiling. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) "As the disease developed, I became paralyzed from the waist down," she said. "Through rehabilitation, I have recovered to the point where I can sing, but it still hurts as if I am being stabbed. There are friends in this venue who are suffering from the same disease. I want people to learn about this while they're at the Expo." Rare and intractable diseases are defined by their low prevalence and complex pathophysiology. These features often result in delayed treatment and hinder drug development. Meanwhile, there are approximately 7,000 rare diseases in the world, with an estimated 350 million patients. Many patients participated with their families. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) In 2016, an NGO focused on rare diseases was established within the United Nations. Its task: create a patient community and raise social awareness. Later, in 2024, Rare Diseases International, a rare disease patient association, was approved as an official partner of the World Health Organization. Wanting a "rare day" to bring attention to the disease annually, February 29 in leap years immediately came to mind. Taking it as a cue, February 28, the day before, was designated World Rare Disease Day. During the last week of February, special events featuring rare diseases and their victims were held around the world. EURODIS, a nonprofit alliance of rare disease patient organizations, hosted the global Rare Disease Day Event on February 28, 2022, at the Dubai Expo (October 2021-March 2022). This time, however, Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai does not include the month of February. Japan, therefore, marked its international contribution by hosting NANBYO Day on May 23 to highlight rare diseases domestically. Patients and families participated together. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) Yukiko Nishimura, president of the NPO ASrid, played a key role in organizing the event. "This is the first time that an intractable diseases day event has been held at an expo in Japan," she said. "'Everyone' is the key word. It is an opportunity for patients, families, and supporters to come together and appeal to visitors. We hope people will begin thinking about intractable diseases in a more positive light." Patients, families, and high school students also participated in the NANBYO Day activities. They performed a play of their own composition and expressed their frank opinions. Takashi Hudson Naito gives his presentation at NANBYO Day. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) A high school senior from Osaka Jogakuin High School confided, "Grave's disease changed my appearance. I was trapped because people around me did not understand. "But I transferred to my current school and underwent surgery, and am now able to communicate with others," she added. "I want a society where people can have confidence in themselves and not be ostracized." Takashi Hudson Naito, a junior at Osaka's Nada High School, described his research on brainwaves using AI to determine emotional ups and downs. Naito has a chronic illness himself. "I wear a scarf on my head because I have no hair or eyelashes due to alopecia, the cause of which is unknown," he explained. His dream is to deepen his research and put it to practical use for patients suffering from incurable diseases. Participating high school students. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) The Expo is an international event that reflects the future of society. For high school students and those with rare diseases, it has also provided an opportunity to interact with other patients and their families while introducing the problem to the broader public. They want to keep the focus on "tomorrow." Meanwhile, they are spreading their optimism for discovering new treatments and solutions for rare and intractable diseases. High school students participate in a panel discussion on rare and intractable diseases on May 23 at Expo in Osaka-Kansai. (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura) This report was first published on May 30, on J apan 2 Earth , a JAPAN Forward website featuring Japan's initiatives on the SDGs. Author: Mika Sugiura このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
01-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
With a New Name, Dassai Evolves to Take Sake to the World
このページを 日本語 で読む On June 1, sake brewery Asahi Shuzo will officially change its name to DASSAI, aligning the company's corporate identity with its globally recognized flagship sake. It's a symbolic move, but one that speaks volumes about the company's ambitions. CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai reflects on the brand's evolution in an exclusive interview with JAPAN Forward. He outlines its push into international markets and the company's commitment to redefining the potential for Japanese sake. Dassai CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai at the Tokyo Bar Show. (©JAPAN Forward) For Sakurai, the decision to rename the company isn't just about branding. It's about conviction. "As we expand globally, we want to go forward not as Asahi Shuzo, but as DASSAI," he explains. "When people hear 'Asahi Shuzo's DASSAI,' it sounds like DASSAI is just one brand among many. And if DASSAI doesn't do well, they might assume we'll just switch to another brand. But that's not who we are. We're committed to DASSAI. Even if we fail and need to try something different, we'll do so under this name." Such clarity and purpose have come to define DASSAI's identity. At its core, the brand is about pushing boundaries. "Japanese culture can be very conservative. There's often a belief that tradition must stay the same," says Sakurai. "But I believe tradition has to evolve. Culture only survives if it changes. That involves risk. You try, fail, correct your course, and try again. That's what we've done with sake. And I believe it's part of a larger pattern whereby Japan's traditional industries have helped shape our culture through the same cycle of repetition and refinement." That drive to evolve — and occasionally stumble — is also how DASSAI has managed to thrive internationally. The company is now one of the few Japanese sake brands with widespread global recognition. But as Sakurai relates, it hasn't been easy — and the road ahead won't be either. "There are two big challenges," he says. "The first is logistics. Sake is a brewed alcohol, like wine, but it's far more sensitive. Premium sake needs to be stored at or below five degrees Celsius and is best consumed fresh. Wine, on the other hand, often benefits from aging and can be stored at higher temperatures. That difference changes everything — how we ship, store, and present the product." Dassai CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai at the Tokyo Bar Show (©JAPAN Forward) The second challenge is how people perceive sake itself. "Many people outside Japan still see sake as something you only drink hot and only with sushi," he says. "That image is deeply ingrained, and it's limiting." Even in the United States, sake accounts for just 0.2% of the alcoholic beverage market. In Europe, it's even less. Changing those perceptions, Sakurai says, will take time — and a lot of glasses poured. So, how do you shift the world's view of sake? "There's no perfect strategy," Sakurai says with a smile. "We just want people to try it. When someone takes a sip of DASSAI and smiles, that's the beginning. It's about building fans, not just customers. And it's also about constantly talking with our partners overseas: What works? What doesn't? Let's adapt. It's a cycle of trial and error." Among DASSAI's lineup, DASSAI 23 stands out as its signature expression. It's also especially dear to Sakurai. "It started as something of a marketing challenge," he says. "My father wanted to make the most highly polished sake in the world. At the time, that meant reducing the rice grain to just 23% of its original size." Initially, some saw it as a gimmick. But as the team refined their brewing methods, they discovered something special: unmatched clarity, elegance, and depth. Dassai CEO Kazuhiro Sakura is also sharing tasting opportunities at Tokyo Bar Show. (©JAPAN Forward) "We believed in it, even when others didn't. Experts told us that polishing beyond 50% wouldn't make a difference. But we kept going. And now, 23 is everywhere for us — the date of our US sake brewery opening, our car license plates, even our wedding dates. For us, it's a significant number." This philosophy extends to DASSAI's taste profile: clean, refined, but never lacking in complexity. "There are what you might call 'sake connoisseur' opinions out there," Sakurai says. "But that's not what we focus on. To us, great sake is simply great — something anyone can easily appreciate. Our goal is to craft a sake that's both immediately delicious and endlessly rewarding, revealing new depths with every sip." More than anything, Sakurai wants people to feel happy when they drink DASSAI. "Yes, it's alcohol — people get tipsy. But it's more than just that. It connects people, enhances food with its flavor, and brings a sense of joy to the heart. That is our mission. Culture alone isn't enough if it doesn't bring happiness." With CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai, Dassai team members and friends, all at Tokyo Bar Show. (©JAPAN Forward) That idea — that culture and joy should go hand-in-hand — also fuels DASSAI's international mission. "We're not just exporting a product. At the heart of what we do is a desire to share Japanese craftsmanship and values with the world. We hope our journey, with all its challenges and missteps, can inspire other Japanese creators in fields like craft, cuisine, or art to take on their own bold challenges. Sakurai is quick to add that changing Japan's internal mindset is just as important as winning over global markets. "There's still this idea that Japanese things are for Japan only, that they don't need to change, or that change would dilute them. But I think Japanese craftsmanship has real potential overseas. We shouldn't shy away from that." He adds, "At the same time, we still have to keep evolving if we want to see that potential fully bloom. I hope that resonates with people." So, what does he want to see change? "I want people to break out of the old image: that sake can only be drunk hot, and only with Japanese food. It can be paired with oysters, ceviche, carpaccio, even blue cheese or dried mango. At sushi restaurants, it's become common to see wine or whiskey served. And yet, outside of Japanese cuisine, sake is still rarely chosen. " Dassai CEO Kazuhiro Sakurai at the Tokyo Bar Show. (©JAPAN Forward) With that, Sakurai returns to his central message: evolution. "Whether it's art, music, or literature, what survives is what changes. Even sake. As Dassai continues to evolve, it won't just be for ourselves. It's a journey we hope will inspire others in Japan." "We'll make mistakes," he says, "but we won't run away. That's why we're changing our company name. DASSAI is who we are. And we're taking it to the world." Dassai (formerly Asahi Shuzo Co Ltd) cooperated in the publication of this report . Author: Daniel Manning このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
The War Criminals Issue and Japan's Path to Legal Closure
Eighty years have passed since the end of World War II. Yet despite this major milestone, public debate over whether Japan's prime minister should visit Yasukuni Shrine has been unusually subdued compared to previous years. Opinions on the matter remain divided, and a national consensus is still lacking. However, there is one fact all Japanese should recognize: our predecessors settled the issue of war criminals. On August 15, 1945, the war came to an end. The San Francisco Peace Treaty was signed on September 8, 1951. As Professor Kazuo Sato, emeritus of Aoyama Gakuin University, writes in The New Edition of Collected Essays on Yasukuni : "Strictly speaking, war crimes trials — those dealing with violations of the laws of war — are conducted as part of a state's wartime actions (military operations). Typically, once a peace treaty comes into effect, the rulings of such tribunals lose their validity, unless the treaty contains specific provisions to the contrary." However, Article 11 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty was crafted precisely to override that norm. It stipulated that pardons, sentence reductions, or parole for convicted war criminals could not be determined by Japan alone. They required the approval of the Allied powers, along with a formal recommendation from the Japanese government. Visitors queue up in the summer heat to pay their respects. Yasukuni Shrine, August 15, 2024 (© JAPAN Forward by Daniel Manning) The peace treaty took effect on April 28, 1952, officially restoring Japan's sovereignty. Yet even then, 927 individuals remained imprisoned at Sugamo under Japanese control. Another 111 were still held in Muntinlupa Prison in the Philippines. In addition to these, 206 more were held on Manus Island in Australia, bringing the total to 1,244 people. "Why are these men still serving time if our sovereignty has been restored?" That question resonated with the public, sparking a nationwide wave of sympathy and calls for the release of war criminals. Leading the charge was the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA). On May 27, it established a Special Committee on War Criminal Releases. Less than a month later, on June 21, it issued a formal opinion titled Opinion regarding the recommendation for amnesty under Article 11 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, urging the reluctant Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly and advocate full pardons to the relevant Allied nations. A nationwide signature campaign followed, reportedly gathering nearly 40 million signatures. In parallel, the National Diet overwhelmingly passed a series of resolutions: Resolution on the Release of Incarcerated War Criminals (June 9, 1952), the Pardon of Those Convicted of War Crimes (August 3, 1953), and the Release of Those Imprisoned for War Crimes (December 9, 1952). These coordinated efforts pushed the Japanese government to begin formally recommending full pardons to the Allied nations starting in June of that year. Legislative changes soon followed. The Act on Relief for Wounded and Sick Soldiers, War Bereaved Families, etc. , was amended to classify the deaths of convicted war criminals during imprisonment as "deaths in the line of duty." As a result, their families became entitled to survivor pensions and condolence payments. In addition, the Pension Act was also revised, allowing time served in prison to count toward pensionable service and improving benefits for both the inmates and their families. Below is an unofficial English translation of the full text of the House of Representatives resolution passed on August 3, 1953, titled Resolution on the Pardon of Those Convicted of War Crimes. Quoted as recorded in the official Diet proceedings, with original wording preserved, it captures the depth of public sentiment in Japan at the time. "As we approach the ninth anniversary of the end of the war on August 15, and more than fifteen months have passed since regaining independence, it is unbearable to the public's emotions that the heartfelt wish of our people, to see all those convicted of war crimes fully pardoned, remains unfulfilled. From the perspective of international friendship, this is truly regrettable. "Looking back on the progress of the war crimes issue since the peace treaty took effect, China, upon the enactment of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty last August, executed a full pardon. France, in early June of this year, carried out a major commutation of sentences, releasing nearly all prisoners. Furthermore, on July 22, the Republic of the Philippines, through the resolute decision of President Quirino, welcomed home all Japanese prisoners. We celebrate these actions and express our heartfelt gratitude to the Australian government, which is set to repatriate all 165 prisoners from Manus Island on August 8. "The greatest obstacle lying across the path to resolving the war issue has thus been completely removed. We now find ourselves in a pivotal autumn, with the matter entering its final phase. Should we miss this opportunity to take appropriate and effective measures, we fear the psychological well-being of the remaining prisoners may deteriorate. "Therefore, for the sake of our nation's complete independence and in the interest of global peace and international amity, we firmly believe it is of urgent necessity to reach a full resolution. "Accordingly, we hereby strongly request the government to implement forceful, appropriate, and swift actions to bring about the full pardon of those convicted of war crimes. "We so resolve." The Allied nations responded differently to Japan's recommendations for full pardons. Both the United States and the United Kingdom, however, were not especially lenient. By contrast, the decision by Philippine President Elpidio Quirino to grant a full pardon left a profound impression on the Japanese people. In recognition of his act of compassion, a monument honoring Quirino now stands in Tokyo's Hibiya Park. It was the site of a national rally held to express public gratitude. Monument to Philippine President Elpidio Quirino in Tokyo's Hibiya Park (©Sankei by Makiko Takita) Inscribed on the monument are his words: "I should be the last one to pardon them as the Japanese killed my wife and three children and five other members of the family. I am doing this because I do not want my children and my people to inherit from me hate for people who might yet be our friends for the permanent interest of the country. After all, destiny has made us neighbors." All remaining prisoners at Sugamo were released on May 30, 1958, just ahead of the seventh anniversary of the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Their release, made possible only through the unanimous consent of all concerned nations, marked the formal resolution of the war crimes issue. The wartime classifications of Class A and B/C war criminals — imposed unilaterally by the victors — were, in effect, rendered null and void. Debate continues to surround the prime minister's visits to Yasukuni Shrine. They are often framed in terms of constitutional concerns or objections from China. But at its core, the issue is far more fundamental. It concerns how the living relate to the dead, including those who died in war. This deeper perspective was powerfully expressed by Jun Eto, a literary critic. Eto served on a private advisory panel on Yasukuni Shrine visits during the Yasuhiro Nakasone administration. In The New Edition of Collected Essays on Yasukuni (Kindai Shuppan, Yasukuni Ronshu – Shinpan, in Japanese), Eto later revealed that he regretted not resigning from the panel, having sensed from the beginning that its approach was fundamentally misguided. Eto argued that in matters such as official visits to Yasukuni, the central question should be: "The very nature of the nation itself — embracing its culture, traditions, and customs. It is about the accumulated way in which the Japanese people have lived and died in this country. In both the broadest and deepest sense, this is a question of Japanese culture." He continued: "Within that cultural framework, how have the dead been honored, and how have the living treated them? The real issue is whether those customs can still be carried out seamlessly today. In comparison, debates over how to interpret the current Constitution are nothing more than superficial distractions. "Even viewed as a political matter, the true responsibility of statesmen is to preserve and nurture Japanese culture. "If we understand the Liberal Democratic Party's call for official visits to Yasukuni Shrine in this light, then a government that refuses to take up that demand sincerely cannot be considered a legitimate government of Japan." Honoring and remembering those who died in war is a duty we bear as Japanese people. There should be no hesitation, no sense of guilt. We must not allow the tireless efforts of those who resolved the war crimes issue to be forgotten or cast aside. (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Makiko Takita, The Sankei Shimbun
