Japan PM vows new statement on WWII
2 February AFP
Hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he intends to release a new
statement on Japan's attitude to World War II, just a day after
unveiling plans to revamp the US-imposed pacifist constitution.
The nationalist premier, who swept to power on promises of a more
robust diplomacy that will stand up to China, has long been known to
favour the toning down of a 1995 apology for wartime aggression directed
at Asian neighbours.
Beijing and Seoul, amongst others, have repeatedly called for Tokyo
to face up to its bellicose past and make proper amends for its 20th
Century warring.
Abe revealed only that he will revisit the issue at some point in the
future, and gave no insight into any new declaration.
“I would like to announce a future-orientated statement that will
suit the 21st century,” Abe told lawmakers. “On the timing and the
content I'd like to think thoroughly hereafter.” The landmark 1995
pronouncement by then-prime minister Tomiichi Murayama was seen as a key
step in what many Asian nations say was Japan finally starting to come
to terms with its brutal history.
The statement said Japan “through its colonial rule and aggression,
caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries,
particularly to those of Asian nations”, adding the premier felt “deep
remorse” and offered a “heartfelt apology”.
Abe said Friday he was in agreement with previous sentiments, adding:
“Japan in the past caused great damage and suffering to many countries,
particularly in Asia. The Abe cabinet shares that recognition with past
cabinets.” In a possible hint the statement may come in 2015, he said:
“The so-called Murayama statement was issued to commemorate 50 years
after the war, and 60 years after the war the (Junichiro) Koizumi
administration issued a statement.” Abe was propelled to the leadership
of his Liberal Democratic Party after playing to the party's right wing
and a small, but vociferous section of society who feel Japan has been
judged harshly by history.
They say Tokyo should stop kowtowing to demands for self-abasement
and that Beijing and Seoul ought to move past wartime events.
Observers say holding out the chance of a historical reassessment
without offering anything concrete could be a gambit by Abe to keep his
base onside.
At the same time, it avoids alienating the public at large, who are
widely turned off by aggressive rhetoric and revisionism.
They say this is key if Abe is to stand a chance of doing well in
upper house elections due later this year. Winning that poll could give
him control of both chambers and enough power to push his legislative
agenda.
Hiroshi Tanaka, an expert on Japan's attitudes to WWII at
Hitotsubashi University, said a total review of the 1995 statement was
unlikely.
“I don't think he will overturn the Murayama statement completely,”
he told AFP.
“I don't think he can in light of the relationship with Asian
countries. Even though he said a number of aggressive things before
taking power, he has toned it down since taking office.
“Even if he issues a new statement, all he could do probably is tone
down the Murayama statement by adding his own. I don't think he could
change the framework.”
Japan's small band of nationalists are particularly exercised by a
1993 statement made by then chief cabinet secretary Yohei Kono, which
officially apologised for subjecting Asian women to forced service in
wartime brothels, euphemistically referred to as “comfort women”.
But Abe on Friday distanced himself from the issue. “I don't think
it's appropriate to make it a political and diplomatic issue,” Abe said,
asked about a possible review to the Kono Statement.
“This statement was announced by then chief cabinet secretary Kono,
and so I, as the prime minister, decline to comment further and I think
it should be dealt with by the chief cabinet secretary.” On Thursday Abe
told lawmakers he wanted to alter Japan's constitution, lowering the bar
for future amendments, in a likely first step on the road to changing
the definition of the country's Self-Defense Forces.
Abe says current rules prevent the military from effectively
protecting Japan from the evolving threats of the 21st Century --
including a rising China.
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