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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Click For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.aspJapan shouldn't cave to foreign pressure on PM war anniversary remarks, says aide
By Linda Stieg TOKYO (Reuters)©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
73 Comments
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CrazyJoe
The reason Japanese apologies don't work is not because the receiving parties don't recognize them, but rather because subsequent Japanese administrations and their supporters deny them. What good is saying "I am sorry", only to turn around and say "Not really" or "Did I say that?" This apology retraction would then only inflame anger on the other side. Japanese atrocities are being deleted from textbooks so ordinary Japanese children have no idea what kinds of atrocities their ancestors committed and why Japan's neighbors hate them so much.
DannytheGaijin
The problem lies in the offering of tepid and listless apologizes while simultaneously promoting revisionism. PM Abe is a slippery and duplicitous one, indeed. That's just my two cents.
smithinjapan
This is pretty indicative that Abe plans to pull the usual double talk -- and then immediately after his white-washing, and just before, he'll talk about the 'need for Asia to forget history and help one another. And then he'll visit Yasukuni and wonder how his speech or the visit could possibly be 'misinterpreted' as they are, and that it's 'regrettable', and that, of course, Japan is the victim here and the other countries the problem.
People like nigelboy and others on here will still keep saying Japan has apologized (despite disagreeing completely with it, and not recognizing it, and denying atrocities, sexual slavery, etc.) and they can't figure out why people are demanding Japan keep doing it, etc. Abe is going to single-handedly continue to send this country backwards while claiming to be 'forward thinking'. He does, after all, often say, "I'll prove to you like my war-criminal grand-pappy did!".
Kabukilover
Translation. Japan should hide the truth.
Papi2013
Not really. It simply means that Japan will continue to play this double talk game.
nath
That's impossible to know, since Japanese politicians keep undermining any apologies made. Maybe if apologies were made, and not undermined, China and Korea would be satisfied. Can't say it won't work until it's been tried.
Papi2013
The four posters who posted before you, already answered that.
itsonlyrocknroll
Without doubt Koichi Hagiuda, is a perpetual denier, a shameful example of ultra right revisionism whispering in Abe ear, a poisonous political carbuncle allowed the fester within Abe sans LDP government.
It is without doubt the presence of Koichi Hagiuda a 'special advisor' to Abe has been a political and diplomatic calamity. Koichi Hagiuda past statements, the complete denial of atrocities and massacre in Nanjing, in language deliberately structured to offend the people of China, the result of which provides evermore political fire power for the Government of China, stirring up fears of Chinese hegemony in the East and South China Seas.
Koichi Hagiuda has repeatedly questioned the relevance of 1993 Kono statement, 'It would not be strange to issue a new political statement if new findings emerge', this utterance timed to deeply and inherent offend the South Korean government and its people.
Koichi Hagiuda has continuously made statements accusing the US Government of massacres committed to Japan during the war attributing Tokyo War Crimes trials, 'was conducted to cover up those atrocities'. Koichi Hagiuda is the living breathing example of a belligerence reminiscent in ultra-nationalist members of Imperial Japan government up until 1947.
I certainly harbour resentment to the Government of China, however Koichi Hagiuda, remarkably head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is the very essence of what constitutes a denier, marginalize and purge him out.
smithinjapan
canadianbento: " It is time to FORGET and make sure something like this never happens again!"
Not a very intelligent, nor practical idea. How can you possibly ensure something that happened in the past never happens again if you wilfully FORGET it? You need to REMEMBER it, and commemorate it, to ensure it happens again. Or are you telling me this year in August you're going to head on down to Hiroshima and demand they stop the peace ceremony and move on already? that we stop remembering the horrors of Holocaust? THEY remember it, and commorate it, and get along quite well these days (former enemies, I mean). The very reason Japan and its neighbours don't get along, and in fact relations are worse than ever between Japan and some nations, and nationals in other nations it DOES get along with, is because of this kind of BS from Abe and supporters. They don't want to forget, they just want others to remember a history that never was. It's called brain-washing, and Japan is as guilty of it, and worse in fact (China doesn't make any effort to call it anything but what it is), as North Korea, China, South Korea, and anyone else.
Aly Rustom
Nor should Japan cave to domestic right wing pressure on PM war anniversary remarks
Kevin McLachlan
I still don't get why Japan refuse to follow Germany's example and just come clean. It has so much to gain by doing so, and nothing to lose.
Jimizo
'Japanese politicians keep undermining any apologies made. Maybe if apologies were made, and not undermined, China and Korea would be satisfied. Can't say it won't work until it's been tried.'
Very true. It's impossible to stop all of them defecating on the carpet with denials but at least those at the very top should be house trained.
Christopher Glen
Japan - unlike Germany - wasn't properly purged of its right-wing elements. (Even now in Germany you have war-criminals in their twlight years being brought to trial - and justice) Japan's historical narrative in the postwar period has become akin to the narrative of a parallel universe. One in which Japan attempted to liberate Asia, and women flocked to voluntarily prostitute themselves for the Japanese military. The problem is that the right has succeeded in persuading many people of this fallacy. The only way to correct this state of affairs would be to dismantle the LDP (itself a CIA funded obscenity) permanently. I will of course hope for roses and fairies on August 15th - or in other words - that Mr Abe says the "right" words. But he has shown himself singularly incapable of following the sensible course of action. So I fear we will all be severely disappointed
BertieWooster
People respect this:
"It was me. I broke the window. I'll pay for it out of my pocket money."
People don't respect this:
"I was nowhere near the window when it broke. And anyway it was an old window and probably broke of its own accord. It just sort of disintegrated. Coincidentally I just happened to be playing soccer at the time with some friends. Any one of whom could easily have broken the window."
Christopher Glen
No doubt this aide wouldn't be employed if he thought otherwise. This is the kind of pigheaded thinking that will dig Japan deeper into an already very deep hole on August 15th
harvey pekar
Honestly, I'd rather Abe not apologize. I know neither he nor his administration means it, so I'd rather hear no apology than just the lame "I'm sorry if my actions offended anyone" apology or paying lip service. Everyone knows how he truly feels every time he visits Yasukuni and every time he talks about his plans for Japan.
So, why does everyone want to hear a fake apology? For me, there's nothing worse than a B.S. apology.
Christopher Glen
Given to military dictatorships. Do you hold people that had no say over their governance at the time, responsible for what said "unelected" governance accepted in their name?
So am I. And it will happen when Japanese politicians STOP DENYING what they apologised for. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
Jeff Ogrisseg
Hehe, nice one! Trust me when I say that "Surrender Season 2015" is just hitting full stride.
"Conservatives" like Abe would love to have cancelled this series years ago, but it's been renewed for another 10 seasons by executives in Beijing. The drama continues until August 9, when, in the season finale, the mayor of Nagasaki makes a speech calling for an end to the use of nuclear weapons, by everyone, for all time... blah, blah, blah...
nath
Do you not read the news?
zones2surf
I am from the old school, which is about integrity and truth. To put it succinctly in this context: say what you mean and mean what you say.
Abe represents Japan as PM, so, of course, what he says reflects upon Japan. But, at the end of the day, he/the LDP were elected to lead Japan by the voters based on their policies and views. As such, Abe should say what it is that he believes and that he stands behind. At least it will be honest.
However, the moment he put together a committee to study this and to advise him on formulating a statement, any idea that the statement would reflect what he really thinks and believes went out the window.
Look, Abe is how old?! 60? He has been in politics his whole life. His family connections make this issue deeply personal. He grew up living and breathing the history of WW2. If he hasn't figured out his views on this by now, he is either stupid or wishy washy. My guess is that he is neither. He knows exactly what his views are and he doesn't need a stupid committee to advise him on this statement.
Just say what you think, Abe, and let the chips fall where they are going to fall. I probably don't agree with your thinking/views, but at least it won't be some mealy mouthed statement that is not worth the paper it is written on.
smithinjapan
lincolnman: "The two countries with the worst relations and that are the most vocal on the need to "apologize" seem to be in the minority"
Not at all when it comes to this. We've heard from POWs in the US and other nations that are bitter about the way the PM and politicians are handling history and revising things, as well as from former sex-slaves in Holland, Taiwan, and lest we forget hundreds of lawmakers in the US, other nations, and even historians in JAPAN (yes, this nation!), as well as famous novelists and animators, saying Japan needs to do MORE and certainly should not white-wash more than they have.
So to say that there are only two nations -- the ones who also suffered more than any others, I might add -- is disingenuous at best. Stop blaming China and South Korea for the sufferings heaped on them by Japan, and for Japan's inability to truly atone, offer a formally recognized apology that cannot be rescinded, changed, or denied, and for otherwise denying or playing down atrocities. That's on Japan, and fools like Abe and those who support him will bring on only more suffering -- be it on the actual victims or on Japan itself.
BertieWooster
Yubaru,
This is my experience too.
There are those who would profit from aggression or threat of aggression who need to paint a picture of a dangerous environment where there is none.
Apolitical
I do think Abe is to blame (at least partially) for the current tensions - he has a grandiose personality, and admitting mistakes is not something he would do without hesitation. His actions do not go unnoticed. But in the end it means little in the grand scheme of things.
I agree that what Japan needs is not just ritual apologizing - it needs 1: Knowledge of own history, free of political interpretations. 2: Reconciliation with close nations (on a religious, moral level). Because no true reconciliation happened in Asia after WW2.
I live myself in a country that was heavily damaged by both German and Russian forces in the events of WW2. Yet symbolical reconciliations did happen, Polish and German bishops exchanged symbolical letters. Russian Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian orthodox church visited Poland in 2012, saying that that both his and the Polish Roman Catholic Church are “ready to forgive past sins”.
These are small steps towards normalizing relations. All of this is important, people should be able to get out of their comfort zones of nationalism and religious prejudices to see things from a different point of view. Of course the situation is not as good as it may seem. It's all very fragile, some issues are still being unresolved. There is enormous list of things we could demand from other countries, and vice versa. Still the political atmosphere here in Europe is good enough to put those issues aside, and focus on the present time, and modern issues. Historical issues should be dealt with a long time ago, and put where they belong - in history books, as yet another chapter in the human history.
Patrick Kimura-Macke
Koichi Hagiuda, like Mr Abe and more than 250 other Diet members is a member of Nippon Kaigi so what do you expect him to say?
toshiko
actually the end of war anniversary
toshiko
Try to tell entire China hate Japan or entire Japan hate China, do not work anymore. just wait to see what Abe tell on anniversary. I haven't been to China but one of my daughters has been to visit Chinese business in Beijing and Shang hai and other cities to invite them to our city in Nevada. The reason she has to go is that she eats Chinese food with chopstick and even though ouR area is avoided by any Japan Inc, and knowing she is not Chinese, The Chinese business people come and our city benefit. To discriminating China with imagination is not too good.
Akula
The fact of the matter is that China has been using history as a political football. They're not looking for apologies folks. They are using history as something they can leverage against Japan.
Abe's approach is the right one. He understands that China is merely using history a a stick to try and beat Japan with.
lincolnman
I think there are merits on both sides of this argument.
And that needs to be maintained, I don’t think Abe, whatever his personal views are, would ever try to rescind or modify the Murayama statement.
I think this view has merit also – 70 years of peace makes a pretty strong statement in and of itself. Especially when those countries who are most vocal about an apology have a much more violent and sordid history over those same 70 years.
GW
HarveyP,
Agreed any apology from abe would be fake & super obvious tatemae move!
Which is why on this highly important anniversary that abe step down & let the emperor do the speech
Its been highly embarrassing reading all the articles on the preparation of his speech, mind numbingly painful to read about the sheer idiocy going on behind it
And today I the Japan News I read about another idiot tomomi inada, policy chief on wanting to educate the world on the sex slave issue or rather try to tell us its all a lie.
Its scary how inept the ldp are & their inability to read how the world see's Japan wrt WWII etc!
Masato Nakahara
I wonder if the PM is being delusional or deliberately antagonizing neighbors so the PM can mask other social issues with a flood of expected angry responses.Either way, pathetic.
SenseNotSoCommon
Abe has a card on for war already
darnname
What do you people think, Abe is going to rescind the surrender and tell everyone that Japan revokes all the dozens of previous apologies?
dcog9065
He will uphold all previous apologies and add his heartfelt regret, etc. in his statement, while likely making a few remarks on the peacefulness Japan has shown since the war and that Japan can be an example to this currently troubled world, etc.
It won't be the "permanent statement" that Japan wants and it won't be the apology that SK and China want. It will ward off compensation claims from survivors though
advill
The Emperor and PM Abe must not appear to be giving dissimilar statements about Japan's WW II involvement in the War, and the sufferings it caused to the people of Southeast and East Asia. An apology (the FINAL one) would be welcomed. It could also include the sufferings of the Japanese people (especially the innocent civilians) caused by the Atomic Bombs dropped at Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Japan is the only country to date that suffered the nuclear holocaust, and this could also be highlighted in the statements. There are a Asian few countries, including an unpredictable nuclear North Korea that could be serious threats to Japan and other countries, and they must be checked by the UN and regional countries.
darnname
Stop denying that no one has or is denying anything.
Yubaru
Anyone pointing this out shows their limited knowledge of how China thinks, to them, there is only one China, and it does not matter if it was the PLA or Chang Kai-Shek, they are all one "China". There is no point to differentiating between the two from China's pov.
Two different entities, it's obvious that Abe loves the game, it's the public that is getting deaf about it.
souka
yep, the apologies issue is hopeless with this administration.
it has been mentioned earlier as well that maybe the pressure should not be that japan should be genuine about its apologies, but that it should be telling the truth about what really happens.
it is sad that they say, "the war should not be repeated again" but they (maybe the current generation) don't know what really happened back then because they just don't want to openly discuss about it.
lincolnman
As I mentioned earlier, I fully support the Murayama statement, but I think it's illustrative to compare some of the other countries current relations with Japan that also suffered under Imperial Japan brutality;
Philippines: Positive relations and is increasing security ties
Taiwan: Positive relations and current Pres PM Lee supports a broader Japan military role
Thailand: Positive relations
Australia: Positive relations and supports increased military role (and may buy defense equipment)
Indonesia/Malaysia: Positive relations
India: Positive relationsThe two countries with the worst relations and that are the most vocal on the need to "apologize" seem to be in the minority, and one can assume are doing so for mainly domestic political reasons, and to lend support to their claims regarding disputed territories.
nath
As an aside anyone watching the current movie on NTV or plans to see the upcoming one?
Surw they will provide for the anir-japan crowd who claims it white-washes history as "Letters from Iwo Shima" did.
Also how many bought the DVD-Series on WWII popular in Japan?
ThePBot
lincolnman
Who's Pres PM Lee?
I'll interpret your entire post basing on your knowledge.
lincolnman
Thank you for pointing out my error - I should have said former Taiwan President Lee, Teng-hui.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-23/taiwan-s-lee-backs-bigger-japan-defense-role-amid-u-s-decline
newyorknewyork
Unfortunately, when people like you write "correctly informed" they really mean some highly exaggerated propagandistic version.
"Thought police" are so welcome in the free world.
"Lightly"? What ... every city reduced to ashes and not just the two subjected to nuclear weapons.
Lightly by whose standards? What would you like, all Japanese to be subjected to communist re-education for 5 generations? It would appear to be what Beijing wants.
seadog538
Japan has apologized enough already---why should the young people of Japan have to bear the guilt and responsibilities of their forefathers?
sillygirl
Nor should they purposely antagonize.
jinjapan
I believe china & south korea are the only countries that haven't accepted japan's apologies. they also had no problems accepting billions of ¥ in the past hidden in the form of "aid". Yes. it was horrible what japan did.but it's time to move on as the rest of the world has done with germany & as all the other countries who were subject to japan's atrocities have done as well.
Arimura
This issue will never be resolved. Haters gonna hate.
JaneM
Do they really? I think the data on human exchange (tourism and business visits especially in recent years) quite clearly shows that it is not a problem of hate at general public level. Rather, political posturing by politicians trying to secure their future as such in a relatively unstable social and economic environment. Oh, yes! And media continuing to stoke the fire.
Yubaru
I have numerous friends and acquaintances that do business with fellow business types from China and ALL of them have wonderful relationships that are profitable for both sides. They all have commented that this propaganda is between the governments and a few radicals and is not the "general" opinion.
One would think that if the Chinese hated Japan so much they would be talking with their wallets, and it's the exact opposite they are spending millions upon hundreds of millions on yen here and helping Japan, not hurting it.
People should learn to read between the lines of what is reality and what is pure politics.
lincolnman
Well, I think you misunderstand views by individuals versus views articulated as an official government position. The governments I cited all have generally positive relations with Japan, the two that I didn’t cite but that we all know, have absolutely abysmal relations. Why is that and what drives those two nations to take those positons? As I said, my view is that it is all for their respective domestic audiences, and a small potion for international actors who may influence the territorial disputes they have with Japan.
I think the Murayama statement, which I fully support, articulates an apology that most nations have accepted – only the two that you seem to want to defend continue to be so vocal. And I certainly didn’t blame China and Korea for any sufferings they endured during WW II – you need to read more carefully.
newyorknewyork
Honestly? Dealing with China and South Korea is a bit like dealing with unruly adolescents who whine, complain illogical, and think calling their parents fascists is a coherent argument but really all they are after is a bigger allowance or their debts cleared.
If that was your real life scenario, how would you deal with them? Perhaps patiently, waiting until they finally exhausted themselves and went to bed slamming the door behind them. Or just directly, telling them to STFU and "no means no".
All the government needs to do is send them a polite letter and for Abe to ignore the situation.
Of course, gracious Japan probably will bow to them, after which the usual chorus will re-erupt; "It wasn't sincere", "it wasn't enough", "look, another politician disagreed" all of which translates as, "give us more money, and let us off us ripping of your brands and patents".
It's a no win situation, so it's best ignoring the rabble.
And supporting regime change or federalism within China.
newyorknewyork
CrazyJoe
This isn't actually true. It's just the spin that is being spun out.
Every one knows how many official apologies have been made. They are official. They stand.
In any free democracy you are going to have a variety of opinions. Every individual has a right to one. But that does not change official positions.
What's the alternative, some kind of totalitarianism where everyone is made to think the same?
Jumin Rhee
Chinese atrocities are still being censored in textbooks and all media. No tienmen square incident...what was that? Japan is only country I know of thats not allowed to attack another country by constitution. China, korea, russia, and us should take note and adopt Article 9. Remove log from one's own eye...
trinklets2
I say yes to halting the never ending chain of apologies expected by China and Korea.
newyorknewyork
"Christopher", you have a highly selective and misleadingly prejudiced view.
The war is over. It's time to call an end to trying to exploit it. Sadly, it seems the Communist Party is only starting to. But, frankly, they are hardly in touch with reality and have too much of their own misdeeds and murder to hide.
Far more Chinese, Tibetans, Uyghurs and so on died under Mao and keep dying than died in the wars with Japan and other Imperialists.
thomas crane1
Sir; Mr Abe is correct to see a different and new future for Japan-Japan is not there (!) to apologise constantly leave the Past history to sleep ! Therefore stand on your feet Japan--not your knees !! 日本に友人 thomas crane
Meiyouwenti
China is inviting Abe to attend its VJ Day parade in Tiananmen Square. Is he going to accept the invitaton? The conservative MP's would be furious.
But as many people have pointed out, it was Chang Kai Shek's Kuo Ming Tang Army that fought against Japan, not the People's Liberation Amry.
25psot
Abe wants to apologize but is not sure this time would be the last apology and he correctly is thinking Japanese post war super peaceful behavior is a form of apology on its own. Disturbing is what Japan enemy wants and they will always leap to the war past for this purpose. Abe is a leader with a sharp brain no beans inside skull.
Christopher Glen
The war is over. It's time to call an end to trying to exploit it. Sadly, it seems the Communist Party is only starting to. But, frankly, they are hardly in touch with reality and have too much of their own misdeeds and murder to hide.
Far more Chinese, Tibetans, Uyghurs and so on died under Mao and keep dying than died in the wars with Japan and other Imperialists.
I choose not to be a historical amnesiac. The war is indeed over, but until Japanese people are correctly informed of what happened there will be no moving on from it. The firebombing and atom bombs aside - Japan got off very lightly in the postwar settlement. They got a touch, rather than a slap, on the wrist.
China's postwar domestic record - while far from exemplary - has little to do with this topic. If a thread comes up about Tianamen square - I will comment on it. Until then, I do not care - and this thread relates to Japan's (overseas) atrocities in China
nakanoguy01
how many times can this same news story run? it's like every day you here the same comments from abe, which then entails the same comments on this board: whitewashing vs enough aplogies already. in actuality, it's just a speech and not a formal gov't position since it hasn't been ratified by the cabinet (as far as i know).
John-San
Then best thing Japan can do is to not respond to any comments involving WWII by other Counties weather who is correct. Just concentrate on Whaling and Dolphin culling That action annoys the P*&^ out of other Countries and overshadows concerns about WWII.
elephant200
I think the leaders in Beijiang and Seoul will be very happy to know Japan refusal of apology, here they go again !
nigelboy
Lame counter smith.
The reason 'why people (referring to C&K only) are demanding Japan keeping doing it' is because they aren't interested in reconciliation for in the past, Japan always caved in with another apology only to be countered with an over leveraged card called 'sincerity' where C&K raises the 'war time issue' with even more inflated/exaggerated assertions and when somebody within the Japanese government simply questions the accuracy and validity, they cry 'denial' and seek another apology. Never ending loop.
As some mentioned already, everybody else moved on. Abe stated on numerous occasions that he upholds the statements of Murayama and Kono and yet C&K still whine. Personally, I much prefer Abe don't even issue another statement.
Pat Telzrow
Seventy years have passed since the end of WW2, most of that generation has passed away. Yet we keep rehashing "apology after apology" it's time to move I"m sick of this 水掛け論 ( endless debate). Let's jucge Japan by there actions since then and I can't think of a more peacefull nation on this planet. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
Christopher Glen
Dealing with historical revisionists like yourself is a bit like dealing with unruly adolescents who whine, complain illogical, and think calling their parents fascists is a coherent argument but really all they are after is a bigger allowance or their debts cleared.
The rest of the world doesn't buy your rubbish, and knows Japan is hiding its past
Christopher Glen
I say yes to halting the never ending chain of denials by Japanese politicians and revisionists
tinawatanabe
No, the ones who benefited more than any others from Japan. That's why they are demandng more.
nigelboy
So what's the problem?
canadianbento
OK! The Second World War has been over for 60 years, many of the people alive today were not even born when this Castastropy took place. I believe it is time to move on. If people want to visit a Shrine in Remebrance of those that died let them! Why is it every year we have a group of people that probably were not even born during this time continue to mouth off about this unfortunate episode. It is time to FORGET and make sure something like this never happens again!
nigelboy
. Not really. It simply means that two countries have and will complain no matter what while the rest of the world moved on.
nigelboy
I don't even think Abe and the Japanese people wants play this 'talk' game. In term of global diplomacy, Abe has proven that staying away from the loudest two while strengthening the relationship with the rest world is the best course.