Japan Faces Calls to Return Cultural Artifacts to China Amid Growing Pressure and Debate

The association's representative, Fujita Takakage, emphasized that many developed countries that have invaded and plundered other nations' cultural relics are now gradually returning them. "Correcting past mistakes is the first step towards reconciliation, and leaving the plundered cultural relics in one's own country is not right," Fujita stated.

Fujita pointed out that the Japanese government has been passive in returning the plundered relics, indicating that its reflection on the war is still inadequate. "We hope that Japan can introspect and change its current approach, which is also the motivation for us to start this movement."

The rally has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many Weibo netizens expressing their support for the return of cultural relics to China. Some users, such as @小白菜, commented, "Fixing historical trauma is not an easy thing, but returning cultural relics is still a difficult task. It's a sign that there is still a sense of justice." Another user, @绾若凨妤, wrote, "I hope this time we can listen to the people's opinions and return our cultural relics."

However, not all users were optimistic about the prospects of Japan returning the cultural relics. @头条新闻 commented, "They've been arguing for half a day, but the cultural relics still haven't been returned. Yet, some Chinese people think the Japanese people are good, and that's exactly what they wanted to achieve - to create the illusion that Japan is willing to return the cultural relics without actually doing so."

Some users also questioned the sincerity of the Japanese government, with @慕蓉蓉 writing, "The Japanese government should listen to the people's demands and return the cultural relics. It's what they should be doing anyway." Others, like @畅游胜境, expressed their hope that the Japanese government would correct its past mistakes and return the cultural relics, saying, "It's what Japan should be doing. It's a good thing to have a sense of justice."

During the rally, a Tokyo University student told reporters, "I very much hope to understand the situation of China's cultural relics being held by Tokyo University. After listening to today's speeches, I believe we need to understand history seriously and return the cultural relics."

The "China Cultural Relics Return Movement Promotion Association" has announced that it will continue to push the Japanese government to return cultural relics, including the Tang Dynasty stone carvings and stone lions at the Japanese Imperial Palace, as well as relics held at Tokyo University and other institutions.

The association's goal is to promote the return of cultural relics to China, achieve historical reconciliation between Japan and China, and develop bilateral relations. The movement has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Chinese netizens calling for the return of cultural relics and expressing their hopes for improved relations between the two countries.

As the movement gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether the Japanese government will respond to the demands and return the cultural relics. However, one thing is clear: the debate has brought attention to the issue of cultural relics and the need for historical reconciliation between Japan and China.