In the concluding part of their dialogue, Masayuki Takayama and Miki Otaka argue that Japan must look beyond individual anti-Japanese actions and understand the wider propaganda structure involving China, South Korea, and the United States.
They discuss Hillary Clinton’s reported insistence on using the term “enforced sex slaves” instead of “comfort women,” Japan’s historical strength, the need for Japanese people to understand their own country, and the responsibility of the media to criticize the government from the standpoint of the national interest.

2020-08-05
About This Article
This article is the concluding part of a dialogue between Masayuki Takayama and Miki Otaka concerning the history of propaganda beginning with Las Casas, Western information warfare against Japan, the GHQ’s War Guilt Information Program, the Nanking and comfort women issues, and the reporting practices of the Asahi Shimbun.
Takayama argues that anti-Japanese conduct by South Korea and China should not be viewed merely as a series of isolated incidents.
Rather, he says, Japan must understand the relationship between those countries and the United States, as well as the position Japan has historically occupied in the world.
He also warns that unless the Japanese understand their own history and strength, continued submission to unjust accusations could eventually deprive the nation of its spirit and vitality.
At the conclusion of the dialogue, he states that there is nothing wrong with the Japanese media criticizing the government on the merits of each issue, but that such criticism should at least be conducted in the national interest.
The following is the complete text originally published on August 5, 2020, retaining its arguments and dialogue format.
The Need for a Sound Historical Perspective
Otaka: How should Japan prevail in this struggle?
Takayama: It is important to possess a firm understanding of history.
When one looks only at individual events, one wonders why South Koreans resort to such underhanded methods and tell lies without hesitation.
The same applies to the Chinese.
China and South Korea have an understanding with the United States that Japan may be denigrated.
Otaka: That shows how deeply the United States fears Japan.
Takayama: Acting independently and without the support of any other country, an island nation in the Far East became one of the most powerful states in the world and shook the white-dominated international order.
That sense of threat has not disappeared.
The trend has changed under the Trump administration, but the United States will not loosen its reins on Japan.
When China speaks ill of Japan, the United States applauds behind the scenes.
That is the nature of their relationship.
Otaka: Does the same apply to South Korea’s anti-Japanese activities?
The United States continues to approve the construction of comfort women statues.
Of course, the United States is not monolithic.
Takayama: During her time as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton reportedly said, “In all United States documents and statements, the directly translated Japanese expression ‘comfort women’ must not be used. The term ‘enforced sex slaves’ should be used instead.”
Otaka: Hillary Clinton was also close to Iris Chang.
Takayama: The primary reason they cooperate in propaganda is that they fear Japan.
Yet the Japanese innocently wonder, “Why are we being treated this way when we have done nothing?” [Laughter]
Otaka: They completely fail to perceive the other side’s true intentions.
Takayama: Once the Japanese understand what an extraordinary country Japan is, they will realize, “So this is the kind of slander directed against us.”
At the same time, if Japan continues bowing its head over accusations of this kind, it may lose its spirit and strength, just as Spain did.
That also applies to the so-called “anti-Japanese apology men.” [Laughter]
We must approach this matter with great care.
Takayama: I have one request to make of the Japanese media.
There is nothing wrong with criticizing the government on the merits of each issue.
But they should at least criticize it for the sake of the national interest.
At a time of national crisis, there is no purpose in unjustly denigrating Japan.
Otaka: Thanks to Professor Takayama, beginning with Las Casas, the reality of this deeply rooted propaganda war has been brought into clear view.
At the very least, politicians, government officials in Kasumigaseki, and members of the media should carry out their duties with this knowledge in mind.
Were they to do so, the so-called “anti-Japanese apology men” would no longer be able to stage their performances so easily.
Above all, I earnestly hope this will be done for the sake of Japan’s children.
Biographical Notes
Masayuki Takayama
Born in Tokyo in 1942.
After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan University, he joined the Sankei Shimbun.
Following service as a metropolitan news desk editor, he became the newspaper’s Tehran and Los Angeles bureau chief.
During the 1980s, he reported from the region on the Iranian Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War.
Beginning in 1998, he wrote the Sankei Shimbun current-affairs column “Iken Jizai” for three years.
He is known for his sharply critical commentary.
From 2001 to 2007, he was a professor at Teikyo University.
His books include Asia’s Liberation Was Actually Thanks to the Japanese Army! and The Black Trap Set by White People—The Japanese Soldiers Who Liberated Asia Were Admirable.
He also co-authored We No Longer Need Media or Political Parties Like These with Masamune Wada.
These works were published by WAC.
Miki Otaka
Born in 1969.
A graduate of Ferris University.
She has visited more than one hundred countries.
She has interviewed figures including the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui, and Rebiya Kadeer, president of the World Uyghur Congress.
Her books include How About an “Amicable” Break in Japan–South Korea Relations?—The Truth About the Comfort Women Issue as Seen by a Female Broadcaster, published by Wani Books, and The Truth About the Islamic State’s Brutal Rule, published by Futabasha.
She has appeared regularly on Toranomon News and has also appeared on News Joshi.