The dispute is over the events of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. In March the ministry decided to tone down references to Japanese soldiers forcing civilians on the island to commit suicide, rather than surrender to American forces. It argued that the suicides were voluntary.
The local assembly in Okinawa has now issued a statement saying that\'s not so. Eye-witnesses at the time described fanatical soldiers handing out GREnades with which people killed themselves. The assembly said it was an undeniable fact that the Japanese military were involved in the mass suicides, and that the truth should remain in print as a warning, to prevent a repeat of such tragic events. Some two-hundred thousand people died when American marines stormed Okinawa in 1945.
Keith Adams, BBC
glossing over
underplaying, not fully explaining the details of, somewhat ignoring
atrocities
terrible and cruel acts (against people)
coming under fire
receiving criticism
tone down
reduce, adjust to make less forceful
civilians
ordinary people who are not part of the military
Eye-witnesses
people who saw the event in question
fanatical
extremely enthusiastic (with a negative connotation/meaning)
handing out
giving
undeniable
certain, unquestionable
in print
written down as a record
