Japan Deletes Controversial Term from SNS on Criticism Day
The term 'Greater East Asia War (大東亞戰爭)' used on the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force unit's social networking service (SNS). (Capture from the 32nd Infantry Regiment X, Ground Self-Defense Force)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "necessary communication between Korea and Japan is being conducted regularly" regarding the incident where a unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officially used and then deleted the term 'Greater East Asia War (大東亞戰爭)', a term that glorifies Japan's Pacific War.
At a regular briefing on the 9th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-seok responded to a question about whether the Korean government had expressed its disapproval to the Japanese government over the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force unit's use of the term 'Greater East Asia War' by saying this.
Spokesperson Lim explained, "I understand that the term 'Greater East Asia War' used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces has already been deleted," and added, "The Japanese government has stated that this term is generally not used in official government documents."
Earlier, on the 5th, the 32nd Infantry Regiment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force introduced a US-Japan joint memorial ceremony held on Iwo Jima on X (formerly Twitter), using the phrase 'the greatest battlefield of the Greater East Asia War.'
The term 'Greater East Asia War' reflects the perception that the so-called 'Greater Japanese Empire,' which included the Asian regions under Japanese colonial rule, fought against Western powers. Therefore, it is classified as a term that justifies Japan's colonial rule and aggressive wars.
Japan also banned the use of this term in official documents after its defeat. Following criticism of the phrase, the 32nd Infantry Regiment deleted the expression 'the greatest battlefield of the Greater East Asia War' the day before, just three days after posting it.
At a press conference on the same day, Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said about the term 'Greater East Asia War,' "It is currently a term that is generally not used in official government documents," and added, "Since external information dissemination is very important, it is necessary to respond appropriately."
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