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On the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the World War II, the Japanese crown prince expressed his view that “correct” history should be transmitted to the younger generation with a humble attitude. The remarks are being interpreted as a veiled expression of concern for the historical revisionism represented by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plans to release a government statement sometime this year.

During a press conference held at Togu Palace, the royal residence, on Feb. 20, in anticipation of his 55th birthday on Feb. 23, Prince Naruhito was asked to share his thoughts about war and peace, now that 70 years had passed since the end of the war.

“It is important to look back on the past humbly and correctly pass down tragic experiences and the history behind Japan to the generations who have no direct knowledge of the war, at a time memories of the war are about to fade,” the prince said.

Prince Naruhito‘s remarks are understood to be an implicit criticism of Abe’s promise not to use key statements from the Murayama Statement (1995), an apology for Japan’s wars of aggression and colonial occupation, in his own statement, which he is planning to release to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the war.

The prince also addressed efforts by the Abe administration to revise Japan‘s peace constitution. Since the ravages of war, the prince said, Japan has enjoyed peace and prosperity that were built on the foundation of the Japanese constitution.

“I hope that this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the war’s end, will be an opportunity to reflect upon the labor of those who laid this foundation and to take the preciousness of peace to heart.”

This is not the first time that the Japanese royal family has expressed its discomfort with Abe’s efforts to revise the constitution.

During a press conference held on his 80th birthday in Dec. 2013, Emperor Akihito said, “It is so painful to think of all of the young people who lost their lives as they dreamed of the future. The Japanese constitution was created and revised and remains in its current form from the belief that peace and democracy are precious and must be preserved.”

The emperor’s remarks could have been aimed at Abe.

By Gil Yun-hyung, Tokyo correspondent

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