RECONCILIATION   REUNIFICATION
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Appendix 6

NCC-Japan: Experiences of Solidarity and Sharing in North-East Asia

NCC-J held worship services and meetings on "Thinking of the 50th years after the Asia-Pacific War" and wrestled with the former military "Comfort Women" issue last year to mark the 50th year after the defeat of Japan. For the people in Korea and China, 1995 was the year of liberation (Jubilee Year) from Japan, whereas for Japanese, it was the year to etch the past into our hearts. The Christians and churches in Japan did not only resist the Japanese military invasions in Asia-Pacific and colonisation of Korea and Taiwan, but also collaborated with the Japanese government. Reflecting on our past history, repenting our wrong-doings and seeking reconciliation with the people in Asia-Pacific, we wish to walk with our brothers and sisters of those regions in Christ on the basis of justice and peace.

When thinking of the reality of division of the Korean peninsula, we feel a grave responsibility for the Japanese past colonial rule. Taking advantage of the Korean War in 1950, Japan reconstructed its economy. In 1965, Japan concluded the Japan-Korea Treaty with the Republic of Korea (South Korea) government and has since continued its hostile policy against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), even after the cold war. In the Tozanso meeting in 1984, we confirmed our ecumenical framework concerning the issue of peace and reunification in Korea. Following the Tozanso process, NCCJ attempted to change Japan’s hostile policy against North Korea and contribute to the restoration of diplomatic relations by forging new ties with the Christians and churches in North Korea.

In 1987, three church leaders (Nakajima, Sumiya and Maejima) from NCCJ visited the Korean Christians Federation (KCF). It was the first visit to Pyongyang by NCCJ. Their purpose was to establish a relationship between the churches in North Korea and Japan under the spirit of the Tozanso process.

In 1988, we organised the NCCJ Symposium on "Japan and the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula" in Tokyo. Both South and North Korean representatives were invited to the meeting. At the end of this symposium, we committed ourselves to the following five points:

1. We of the Christian community in Japan confess our war responsibilities and recognise Japan’s deep and abiding responsibility for the division of the Korean peninsula. We desire to take one more step towards creating the conditions required for a concept of "living together". We therefore commit ourselves to continuing our effort in overcoming the divisions in North-East Asia at the church organisation level and we also seek international solidarity with brothers and sisters in faith all over the world through diverse ecumenical movements.

2. We support the efforts being expanded for reunification in Korea and the reunification of Koreans in Japan. We also support efforts to nurture these opportunities and create fellowship among young Korean people in Japan who are struggling for the reunification of the two Korean nations.

3. Through participation in efforts to protect the human rights of Koreans in Japan, we are striving for the elimination of racial discrimination against Koreans in Japan. We seek the immediate release of the Korean political prisoners in Japan and in South Korea who were sacrificed by this division.

4. We demand that there be a change in the diplomatic policies of the Japanese government towards North Korea. We demand changes in Japan’s colonial mentality which is still manifested by certain Japanese government cabinet members and that the unfinished business of the Asia-Pacific War be satisfactorily cleared up.


5 . It is a painful reality of our time that militarism is on the increase in North-East Asia and that this trend is intensifying the tensions between South and North Korea. We seek a determined elimination of all military powers from Asia and the Pacific. Especially we will work for the realisation of a nuclear-free Northeast Pacific. As indicated by both South and North Korean Christians, the military connections between Japan, the USA and Korea simply do not guarantee the security of Japan and the Korean peninsula, but rather intensify tensions in the area. Therefore, we commit ourselves particularly to the elimination of militarism in Japan and will work for the elimination of US bases from Japan as well as from South Korea.

NCCJ has decided to continue specific actions to enhance fellowship with Christians in North Korea and prayerfully establish cooperation with them.

In 1992 NCCJ sent a delegation (10 persons including a priest from the Catholic church) to North Korea by invitation of KCF, shared fellowship with them and deepened our mutual understanding.

In 1994 NCCJ held a reception for KCF delegates in Tokyo, when they came to the Tokyo Meeting organised by KCCJ. Two NCCK representatives were also invited.

We think that the churches in South and North Korea are the main casters for the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula in their ecumenical involvement. If this is the case, both churches should be treated on an equal base. It is in no way right for the 10 million Christians in South Korea to swallow up the 10,000 Christians of North Korea. This relates to our missiology. We also think that the reunification between South and North Korea should be done on the principles of autonomy, equality and peace. To bring this kind of atmosphere is one of our ecumenical tasks.

Besides the above mentioned, we have taken the following actions:

1. We have observed the "South-North Common Prayer Sunday for Peaceful Reunification" every year. We used to translate their texts into Japanese and encourage our member churches to observe them.

2. We are glad to be a channel for communications between NCCK and KCF.

3. In the case of difficulties for encounters between the Christians in South and North Korea, we are ready to take any role to make them possible. For this purpose, we hosted "the Fourth International Ecumenical Consultation on Peace and Reunification in Korea" in March 1995 in Kyoto, Japan.

4. We continue to send NCCJ representatives to the meetings and programmes in and outside of Korea concerning the peaceful reunification.

5. We want to contribute a certain amount of money for the flood victims in North Korea through KCF. If possible, we would like to visit.

6. The Women’s Committee of NCCJ, with other women’s groups (NGOs) are working together for the former military "Comfort Women" issue in cooperation with support groups in South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia.

Now the Women’s Committee of NCCJ is planning to invite two women from North Korea through KCF for "the Peace and Reconciliation toward the Reunification Meeting of Christian Women" which will be held in June this year in Japan. They expect participants from the churches in South and North Korea, and Japan.

January 30, 1996 Kenichi Otsu