The moment the truth approaches Iraq

The moment the truth approaches Iraq

14/8/2017 12:00 am
Fumio Iwai * Ambassador of Japan to Iraq

On this day, seventy-two years ago, Japan ended its war against Allied forces and began its journey towards recovery and reconstruction. Eleven years later, in 1956, the Japanese government's economic white paper stated that Japan was no longer in the postwar period.

On this day, I pray for the souls of those who sacrificed themselves for their beloved countries, and at the same time salute the great efforts of our ancestors who rebuilt Japan . When I do this, I always have this question in mind: Why did Japan succeed in completing its reconstruction by 1956, while Iraq is still trying to do so 14 years after the demise of Saddam's regime? Many Iraqis say that is why Japan calls them "the planet of Japan". I do not think our ancestors were distinguished. On the contrary, I firmly believe that what our fathers and grandfathers achieved after the war could be achieved by my Iraqi friends now. .

I know that this may sound harsh, but I dare to write that after the fall of Saddam in 2003, Iraq was given ample support from the international community compared with Japan in 1945. The Allied forces that began their occupation of Japan on September 2, 1945 were determined to identify energy The country's industrial productivity in order to limit Japan's recovery to the level it was in 1935 when the whole world, including Japan, was suffering from a major economic depression. In such depressing circumstances, our predecessors persevered and made every effort to leave a better country for future generations than they were at the time. In the end, changing the circumstances surrounding Japan as the Cold War intensified has had a positive impact on Allied strategy.

As a person who has a direct and indirect relationship with the Iraqi issue, I feel that the moment of truth is approaching Iraq, as well as from the international community. We all missed a golden opportunity in 2003 to rebuild Iraq to become a land where every Iraqi can truly feel his citizenship in a country where he is treated fairly regardless of ethnic and sectarian affiliation. In the Japanese example we say that the third time is fixed, so let us all redouble our efforts, both of them, to make Iraq a better place where the people of the country can achieve all their capabilities as they deserve.

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