THIS month marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the International Brigade which fought valiantly against fascist forces in Spain during 1936-39.
We commemorate the heroes who took it as their duty to confront fascism whenever and wherever it emerged. Though these anti-fascist fighters were defeated due to a policy of appeasement towards fascism by several Western countries, these international soldiers, by their sacrifice, made clear that fascism is the bitter enemy of peace-loving people all over the world.
In 1936, the Popular Front -- an alliance of Republicans, Socialists, trade unionists and Communists -- won an impressive victory in Spain's general election. The Spanish army, under the leadership of Francisco Franco and with the support of fascist troops from Germany and Italy, then started a revolt against the legal government.
It was against such a background that about 10,000 anti-fascist volunteers from all over the world headed for Spain, where they formed the International Brigade to fight against the fascist forces.
While the Spaniards and the international volunteers were fighting against military dictatorship on the Western front, the Chinese were struggling against Japanese fascists on the Eastern front.
Though China's War of Resistance Against Japan was not openly declared until the Lugouqiao Incident on July 7, 1937, the Chinese people had begun the anti-fascist in 1931 when the Japanese militarists occupied Northeast China.
With their common goal of fighting fascism, the Chinese, Spaniards and other anti-fascist forces supported each other in their just cause of fighting foreign invasion, safeguarding sovereignty and promoting world peace.
The anti-fascist war in Spain was supported by the Chinese, who sent more than 100 volunteers to fight alongside local people as members of the International Brigade. And China's War of Resistance Against Japan also received valuable aid from the international anti-fascist fighters, many of whom came to China following their withdrawal from Spain.
It was the blood and sacrifice of the Chinese, Spaniards and members of the International Brigade that alerted the world to the danger of fascism and the common struggle of peace-loving people, which led eventually to the downfall of fascist governments in Germany, Italy and Japan in 1945.
As we commemorate the anti-fascist fighters today, we regrettably observe that fascism, which caused the world's biggest catastrophe this century, is yet to be eradicated.
Neo-Nazis are still emerging here and there in the West. Their activities are largely under control thanks to European and American restrictions on fascist activities. The German and Italian governments seem completely sincere in their apologies to the victims of fascism.
But in the East, the activities of fascists are yet to be effectively curbed.
Many Japanese fascists not only escaped due punishment but gained positions as high officials in Japanese Government after the end of the Second World War. Such an arrangement, overseen by a few powers acting out of the consideration for their own interests, leaves plenty of room for the revival of fascist militarism.
After strong demands by the victimized nations, the Japanese Government has made apologies which, it seems to me, contain everything but sincerity.
Even such shallow apologies were very often offset by politicians and senior government officials flatly denying the war crimes committed by Japanese fascists.
Some claim Japanese aggression in Asia was an effort to build a "circle of common prosperity." Others deny that there was ever such a thing as the Nanjing Massacre, turning a blind eye to the fact that as many as 300,000 innocent Chinese people were massacred by Japanese troops in Nanjing. While these people distort history with words, a few others seem to prefer distortion by deeds.
Continuous efforts have been made to replace words like "invasion" with "entry" in textbooks describing Japanese occupation of other Asian countries. Pictures showing the Japanese militarists' cruelty in the Nanjing Massacre were withdrawn from exhibition. Politicians and government officials have paid homage at the Yasukuni Shrine, the burial place of convicted war criminals from the World War II.
By doing all this, they can brainwash young Japanese into believing the distorted facts. A few politicians are even attempting to make the Japanese people believe that Japan was a victimized rather than victimizing nation of World War II.
Such propaganda has given some Japanese the attitude of "not taking their defeat lying down," nor recognizing the war crimes committed by Japan.
These words and deeds can not be ignored by the real victimized nations who lost not only millions of lives but also enormous wealth under Japanese occupation.
More recently, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's paid homage at the Yasukuni Shrine. That visit made him the first government leader to visit the shrine in 11 years. His predecessors had refrained from visiting the shrine to avoid confrontation with the nations victimized by Japanese aggression. Hashimoto's visit was apparently a challenge to the war victims, a symbol of fascism.
Another move is Japanese right-wingers setting up symbolic landmarks on the Diaoyu Islands, which are Chinese territory violated by Japan during unjustified wars. When normalizing bilateral relations in 1972, China and Japan agreed to lay aside the issue, leaving it for later generations to solve. The right-wingers' landing on the islands, which was supported by some political factions, is a blatant challenge to the Chinese.
Instead of taking effective measures to curb such moves, Japan's leading Liberal Democratic Party has chosen an election platform which includes support for government leaders who pay homage at the Yasukuni Shrine and for Japan's claim to China's Diaoyu Islands.
These moves convince me that militarism and fascism are reviving in Japan. Such a revival, if not effectively curbed, will be a threat to the peace and stability of Asia and the whole world.
Considering Japan's economic and military strength -- its military spending ranks second only to the United States -- it is clear to everyone that once Japan's military machine is restarted, the potential damage to the world could be far greater than that caused half a century ago.
Analyzing Japan's recent pro-militarist moves, it is clear that the "Japanese threat" is not a fabrication.
More than half a century after World War II, we find that the final victory over fascism has yet to be claimed.
We should carry forward the spirit of the International Brigade and be ready to confront the revival of fascism whenever and wherever it emerges, otherwise peace-loving people will have to suffer the consequences.
This is the best way to commemorate the anti-fascist international volunteers and all those who devoted themselves to the just cause of anti-fascism.