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Japan, defeated in World War II, was accepted once again by the international community in the post-war era. Based on its remorse regarding World War II, Japan has built up a free and democratic nation that upholds human rights and respects the rule of law. Japan has also been contributing to the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region throughout these 70 years since the end of the war, as a peace-loving nation and as an ally of the United States. At the same time, as a member of the international community, Japan has upheld its major responsibilities through economic cooperation to developing countries, peacekeeping efforts, and assistance for democratization. – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Stating this during the opening remarks at the first meeting of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe recently said: “Foundations for the future cannot possibly be disconnected from the past. The 80th, 90th, and 100th anniversaries in future years will come to pass on the basis of our remorse regarding World War II as well as the path we have taken as a peace-loving nation over the 70 years since the end of the war, as I mentioned just now. Upon listening to your views, I intend to think over such points as what kinds of further contributions Japan should make to the Asia-Pacific region and to the world in the years to come, and what kind of country Japan should seek to become in the future.”

The questions Abe wants to be answered by the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century are:

• What are your perspectives on the path the world and Japan took during the 20th century? What are the lessons that we should draw from our experiences in the 20th century?
• Based on these lessons of the 20th century, what sort of path did Japan follow over the 70 years since the end of World War II? In particular, how do you evaluate Japan’s pacifism, economic development, and international contributions in the post-war era?
• Over the 70 years since the end of World War II, what kind of path has Japan followed with regard to reconciliation with the United States, Australia, and the countries of Europe, with the countries of Asia, particularly China and the Republic of Korea, and with others?
• Based on the lessons of the 20th century, what sort of vision do you envisage for Asia and the world in the 21st century? What kinds of contributions should Japan make towards that?
• What kinds of concrete policies and measures should Japan take as we mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war?

Compiled by (newsroom24x7.com) based on the "Opening Remarks by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the first meeting of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century" published on the Official Website of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet (http://japan.kantei.go.jp/97_abe/statement/201502/25.html).