Izanami: The world condemned Japan fiercely after its defeat in World War II. Izanagi: Since its defeat, Japan has strived to become a peaceful country, but some countries still continue anti-Japanese education that labels Japan as a cruel country. Behind these feelings lie a history and human nature. Izanami: Japan has expressed their apologies to countries that have suffered damage from the war and other causes. However, even if the basis includes some false elements, the government does not explicitly point them out. Izanagi: The Government has taken a so-called “mature response” approach to such countries. Izanami: They do not refute the facts head-on, even if they disagree. This is based on the Japanese idea that if they refute the allegations, they will create further arguments and the conflict will expand. Izanagi: During the war, Japanese were taught that Americans were brutal and fought with fierce hostility, though Japan was eventually defeated by the atomic bomb. Now, Japan and the USA have a friendly relationship. Izanami: In the 19th century, there was growing concern that Japan would be turned into a Western colony, and a civil war broke out between two forces over how to deal with the West. Izanagi: One power wanted to maintain the system with the shogun at the top. The other power, the government force, wanted to reform the system to be centered around the Emperor. Izanami: In 1868, the Reform Army marched on Edo (now Tokyo) and was close to a decisive battle against the regime-keeping military force. Izanagi: A meeting between SAIGO Takamori, the chief of sta of the government forces, and KATSU Kaishu, the shogunate's top military ocer, resulted in the decision to vacate Edo Castle and bloodshed was avoided. Izanami: This was followed by the Meiji period (19th-20th century), which was the driving force behind Japan’s modernization. Izanagi: There were many clans (countries) in Japan at that time, in which language and culture differed greatly between them. It was difficult to communicate at meetings in Tokyo. Izanami: Nevertheless, some believe that the reason why major conflicts did not occur is because Japan was almost a mono-ethnic population. Izanagi: Some question whether the Japanese are racist, seeing modern Japan’s reluctant policy of accepting immigrants. Izanami : However, Japan has long opposed racial discrimination. Izanagi: At the Paris Conference of 1919, held after the First World War, Japan was the first country in the world to propose the elimination of racial discrimination. Izanami: Many countries agreed to this proposal, but it was not enacted due to opposition from the US, UK and some other big countries. Izanagi: The egos of the major powers are carried over from one era to the next. For example, it does not make sense to say that large states should have nuclear weapons while small states shouldn’t. Izanami: It cannot be considered fair unless the major powers themselves say that they will give up their nuclear weapons. Izanagi: The people of the major powers also understand the logic of their selfishness, but they do not acknowledge or speak out about their advantages. People live in a situation where the desire for goodness and ego coexist. ( From September issue, 2022 / 2022年9月号より）