Dealing with the Past – the Difficult Path to Reconciliation

About

Japan’s official policy of dealing with the crimes committed during times of war is well known: it consists mainly of denial, relativization or offsetting. Occasionally, it seemed as though the respective governments were willing to officially recognize these crimes and to seek reconciliation, but this willingness quickly yielded in the face of right-wing pressure. As a consequence, public debates in Korea and China became even more embittered and mutual finger-pointing and vicious remarks by politicians and opinion leaders have reinforced existing prejudices and misinterpretations in all three countries.
 
Based on the perception that many troubles result from a lack of awareness of respective sensitivities and, in case of Japan, a lack of willingness to change perspectives, the workshop will provide space for exchanging views and arguments. It thereby contributes to the development of a transnational public sphere. To this end, the Dutch debate on the long colonial rule of Indonesia will also be presented as an example by using film material.