BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The rise of Japan's modern-era militarism could be traced back to 120 years ago when rulers in Tokyo, coveting the rich resources of its neighbors, launched the first major aggressive war against China in 1894.
Sneaking into the seas off the Korean Peninsula on July 25 that year, the Japanese military started a surprise attack on Chinese naval ships and declared war on China. It was the beginning of Japan's mania for aggression and expansion.
The conflict, the first large-scale one that Japan has launched in modern history, inflicted heavy losses and immeasurable sufferings on Chinese and Korean people for several decades.
For Japan, the war signaled the beginning of its self-destructive path of militarism.
The sea battle of 1894, which let Japan taste the sweets of its initial success in the attempt to conquer China, also misled Japan in believing that war and aggression can yield wealth and resources for the island country, thus changing the way of thinking of the whole Japanese society.
From Japan's aristocrats to intellects, and even the ordinary people, the Japanese general public were contented with the self-conceited consciousness of "great power."
Such mindset has led to the incubation of militarism that eventually prompted Japan to invade many parts of Asia in the Second World War .
Although Japan was defeated by the world anti-fascist forces in World War II (WWII) in 1945, it never fully repented of its sins.
Instead, some Japanese politicians and officials are still indulged in recalling their "good old days" during the Meiji restoration in the 19th century and talking a lot about the "glories" they have had before the end of the WWII.
The "glories" were even often picked up by some officials and scholars, especially Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who recently urged to allow Japan's forces to have the right to exercising collective self-defense, despite strong protests at home and abroad.
With the acquiescent recognition of the revival of Japanese militarism, the Abe administration has championed an "active pacifism," which is, in fact, an euphemism for the resurgence of militarism.
Other words such as "peace" and "security" that Abe has frequently used to push for his aggressive foreign policy were ironically a reminder of the same tricks employed by the Japanese authorities in the invasion of its neighboring countries in the 19th century.
It is no coincidence that Japanese politicians tend to talk about "peace" and "security" to cover up their militarism activities or purposes.
Instead of trying to flaunt its wartime "glory" and pursue the militarism-driven restoration of its imperialist past, Japan must sincerely repent of its past sins and faithfully work for peace and development.
If the Abe administration stubbornly sticks to its rightist path of militarism, Japan may repeat its old-time mistakes, which are harmful to the region and eventually self-destructive for the island nation.