From May 28th to 29th, the International Symposium Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Tokyo Trial was jointly held by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. Delivering speeches at the opening ceremony were Xi Lifeng, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhou Feng, Curator of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, Qi Dahai, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with Dr. Hwang Woo-yea, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Republic of Korea and Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, former Malaysian Ambassador to China.
Scholars and experts from China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil engaged in-depth discussion organized in three major themes – history, international relations and international law. Their insights of the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Tokyo Trial resonate widely.
The scholars praised the Tokyo Trial for its historical significance. The Trial, through rigorous evidence and procedure, brought to light the wartime atrocities of Japanese militarism in Asian countries, Together with the Nuremberg trials, it punished aggressive warfare and war crimes, condemned the Fascist war criminals to perpetual infamy Thus, the Tokyo Trial defended international justice and the post-war international order. For Japan, accepting the Trial is not only an inherent requirement for the implementation of a series of international instruments, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, but also a prerequisite for regaining the confidence of the international community and restoring ties with its neighbors.
The scholars agreed that the Legal basis of the Tokyo Trials must not be disparaged. Allegations of “ex post facto law” or “victor’s justice” do not serve as legitimate bases for questioning the Tokyo Trial’s validity. They are simply excuses used by Japanese right-wing forces to cover up the history of aggression and evade responsibility for war crimes. Japan should confront the Tokyo Trial as Germany has confronted the Nuremberg trials, and learn from history accordingly.
The scholars stressed the enduring relevance of the Tokyo Trial. They noted that right‑wing forces in Japan are now advocating a distorted view of history, repeatedly honoring convicted war criminals, seeking to revise the pacifist Constitution and accelerating efforts for military buildup, war preparation and nuclear ambition. Such actions echo exactly the militarist path of aggression laid bare by the Tokyo Trial. The international community must stay highly alert, jointly resist resurgence of militarism and do everything possible to prevent the scourge of war from happening again.
The scholars stressed that the Tokyo Trial embodies a global commitment to restrain violence with reason and safeguard peace with law. At a time when the post-war international order and peace in the Asia-Pacific region face constant challenges, it is more important than ever to remember and carry forward the core spirit of the Tokyo Trials, uphold historical truth and prospect of peace.
On May 29, scholars of the Symposium visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders and pay tribute to those who perished in the war.
