April 21, 2005

The Honorable Kofi Annan
Secretary General
United Nations
New York, NY, 10017

Dear Mr. Secretary General:

On behalf of all major Chinese Associations in the Greater New York Area, and over 300 thousand of their fellow members, we are expressing our deepest concerns over the recent elevated tension between Japan and China, and over the attempt by Japan to obtain a permanent seat at the Security Council of the United Nations.

Upon its establishment at the end of World War II, the United Nations has been a champion in maintaining peace, promoting humanity, reducing global poverty and fostering development. When it celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2005, the United Nations is prepared for a reform to meet various challenges in this new millennium. We fully understand the underlying rationales and circumstantial constraints, and sincerely respect and support your proposal, including the expansion of the Security Council.

However, we are seriously concerned with and firmly oppose the nomination of Japan to the position of permanent member of the Security Council. The fundamental reason is that Japan has yet to carefully reflect its history before it becomes a "normal state" and ready to take greater responsibilities in the global community.

During the years leading up to and throughout World War II, Japanese Imperial Army killed more than 50 million Asians and destroyed property and natural resources on a scale beyond compare in human history. This part of history remains a horrible nightmare for millions of people in many countries across East and Southeast Asia, including China, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and many others. In the "Nanjing Massacre" of 1937-1938, 370 thousand Chinese were killed and 80 thousand women were raped; in the "Rape of Manila" of 1943-1944, over 100 thousand Filipinos were murdered; and there are just too many other atrocities to list. In addition, at least 650 thousand women in China and Korea were forced into prostitution by Japanese army, and over 10 million Asians were exploited as slaves. The entire world became shocked and enraged by the mass raping, relentless looting, brutal slaughtering and mutilation of civilians, including women, children and disarmed prisoners of war.

In sharp contrast to post-war Germany, unfortunately, Japan to this day has never repented for the sin it has committed against the human beings, nor has it offered any genuine apology to the Asian people. The lack of penitence not only prevents Japan from being regarded as a "normal state", but also constantly stirs up serious concerns of a possible resurgence of Japanese Militarism or Nationalism that may plague and torment the world again.

Indeed, Japan started in 1958 to enshrine 13 "Class A" war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, whom in 1948 were convicted and sentenced to death by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan has visited Yasukuni Shrine in his official title on a yearly basis since 2001. There are a number of senior politicians in Japan, including Mr. Shintaro Ishihara, the governor of Tokyo, who repeatedly deny the existence of "Rape of Nanjing", and persistently refer to the massacre as merely a "Chinese fabrication". In order to further whitewash the history, the rightwing forces in the Japanese government intentionally conceal the truth of war from the next generation and sanitize the related parts in the textbook. In fact, the approval of this year's new edits in history textbooks directly leads to the recent massive protests against Japan in China and Korea.

Chinese people always cherish peace and desire to befriend with their neighbors. We highly appreciate the significant financial contribution made by the Japanese government to the United Nations as well as the economic assistance to some developing countries. Nevertheless, without facing the history with honesty and sincere reflection, without fully engaging itself in healing the wounds of war, Japan fails to demonstrate its commitment to peace. Only after Japan gains the trust from other Asian countries and dissipates the valid concern of a potential resurrection of Militarism, can it be qualified for consideration as a permanent member of the Security Council. As a matter of fact, we are looking forward to that day, when Japan brings a final closure to its crime against millions of Asians and starts to play an important role in helping fulfill the noble mission and extend the worthwhile cause of the United Nations.

We respectfully urge you to reconsider the motion to include Japan as a permanent member of the new Security Council. Your time and attention to our concern is highly appreciated.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Association of Chinese Students and Scholars of the Greater New York Area
大纽约地区学生学者联谊总会

New York Association of Chinese Communities
纽约华人社团联合总会