rki.news | Source: Xinhua
TOKYO, Aug. 7: Two young activists have taken their message about wartime history to Tokyo streets, urging greater awareness of Japan’s actions during World War II and promoting peace.
Frenchman Marcus Detrez and his friend Zhong Haosong displayed banners in Tokyo’s Shibuya district carrying messages about Japan’s wartime aggression against China and the suffering of victims.
Detrez said the campaign aims to encourage people to examine historical events and understand the experiences of those affected by war. His grandfather, Roger-Pierre Laurens, lived in Shanghai during the 1930s, where two of his children were killed by the Japanese military during the invasion of China.
The two activists previously organized exhibitions, peace marches and public events, using historical photographs and archival materials to highlight wartime events.
Zhong said they are collecting further evidence from archives in Japan and Europe to preserve historical records.
Detrez stressed that their goal is not to create hatred but to ensure that historical events are remembered and lessons from the past contribute to peace.
They plan to continue awareness activities and share collected materials with institutions in China.