Japan marks the 67th anniversary of its surrender to Allied Powers in World War II on Wednesday. This year's anniversary is different from past anniversaries. It came amid moves by several political parties to change the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.

In this situation it is all the more important for every citizen to ponder Japan's modern war in the 1930s and 1940s. The security situation surrounding Japan these days is not easy. But this should not be used as justification for weakening the principle of pacifism and nonuse of force as embodied in Article 9.

War is not a game but a tragic undertaking that causes unbearable suffering and misery. This simple fact cannot be emphasized too much.