Chinese premier praises Kono for 'comfort women' apology

JapanGal

It refers to the apology made 22 years ago by Kono on behalf of Japan when he was Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Chinese premier praises Kono for 'comfort women' apology

That is one of the best headlines ever published by Japan Today.

It clearly demonstrates not all in Japan are in denial of war crimes and that the culture is evolving at pace with the generational change in values.

Much kudos goes to the news service for reporting this historic event.

It refers to the apology made 22 years ago by Kono on behalf of Japan when he was Chief Cabinet Secretary.

serendipitous -- don't bother throwing actual facts into this discussion. Anytime the words apology, and either China or SK are in the same sentence, the knee-jerk folks here automatically go berserk.

IMO, it would be great if things were just left alone:

Yohei Kono, who as the country’s top government spokesman in 1993 issued an eponymous statement acknowledging the military’s involvement in a coercive “comfort women” brothel system during World War II.

The Kono Statement was followed by an official 1995 apology by then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama which 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”. It added that the premier felt “deep remorse” and offered a “heartfelt apology”.

No need to "re-examine" or be more "forward looking". Just let sleeping dogs lie.

Kono is a very wise man

Lots of time for Yohei Kono, part of the LIBERAL wing of the LDP. Unfortunately has been marginalized by the current Doofus in Chief.

Kono's statement marked a step forward in a clear policy toward recognition of Japan's aggression that began in the mid-1980's with former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. Since then, every prime minister has acknowledged Japan's aggression in one way or other.

Now Abe has to apologize to his supporters for the apology.

A clever step back from the impasse for both governments.

Shin-chan sends Kono to the Great Hall of the People, and China can celebrate the fact that the messenger (despite plenty of rumours to the contrary) hasn't been shot after all.

The glass-half-empty brigades on both sides will call this a humiliation, but who cares?

Increase the Peace!

Kono is an example of a truly "forward looking" man, and a wise leader, for only one who acknowledges the past can truly move forward with others. People like Abe, not leaders at all but merely self-serving people filled with hate, only move backwards.

JapanGal: "If it were not for the 24 that agreed with my thoughts, I would have a much more negative number."

The rest of the world simply doesn't care or need to waste their time on ignorance.

Do children of criminals have to be punished?

No one is asking for punishment of anyone, and no one is asking of anything of the children of those who perpetuated the war. Countries don't have children, they are entities that continue on throughout the years. Japan existed during the war, and Japan still exists now, and it is the country of Japan that is being asked to apologize - as a country and not individuals - for what it did during the war.

Quite a departure from the usual hunt by the media for something a Chinese leader or lobby group or guy on the street said that sounded threatening.

What happened? Is the narrative going to change now? Is it going to be admitted that if you dare to give China a fair shake, that something could be worked out?

Comforting news.

Not really. Not till Hashimoto or some other politician - perhaps Abe himself - makes revisionist statements

Do children of criminals have to be punished?

But that's the whole point. Most of the Japanese war criminals escaped punishment. Abe's granddad among them. Thus we have a prevailing trend of revisionism among Japan's politicians

"Every prime minister has acknowledged Japan's aggression in one way or other."

Do people actually think this? How brainwashed are u, those residing in Japan. In fact, Abe is having history curriculum changed to HIDE this part of their history, unlike acknowledging and truly moving on as Germany has.

Having one individual, who specified his apology does NOT represent the government, does not satisfy the demands on the few remaining sex slaves of Asia.

In case you didnt know, Japan is ignoring the demand for apology by sex slaves and simply waiting for them to die out, one by one.

dont be fooled by japanese nationalistic journalism

was there ever a time when all three nations seemed to be moving forward or did they ever really accept Japan's apology?

To add to Christopher's answer, there was a period of about 3 years there, around 2009 - 2012, in which things were going quite well between Japan and China. Surveys at the time showed the opinions of people from both countries to be very high. Then Ishihara decided it was a good idea to stoke things up by buying the Senkakus from a private owner.

jerseyboy wrote: 'No need to "re-examine" or be more "forward looking". Just let sleeping dogs lie.'

Interesting rationale implying this has been dealt with, as I appreciate the context of the comment.

But disagree for the sake of justice of all the abused women, past present and future of systematic rape in war.

As it fails to take in the view of the abused women, who as a group would never agree that the incalculable 'wrongs' have been properly addressed.

However this praise by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang of the landmark apology over sexual slavery of Asian women by a misguided misogynistic leadership; as this is modelling that good relations are intended here and now.

Surely there can never be enough integration of cultures to aid in the understanding of past wrongs.

Unless your worldview disagrees with the condemnation of what were dominating feudal values in Japan in the 1930s.

When Japan was defeated in 1945, it was the Japanese people who felt happier than people of any other countries. They welcomed Douglas MacArthur's reform of Japan greatly. They became free from the repressive and feudalistic regime. They were relived very much that they didn't have die for the emperor any more. We feel sorry for people who were affected by our old regime. At the same time, we feel something awkward that people of other countries denounce us for what we didn't do. Do children of criminals have to be punished?

Strangerland: Countries do have children and sometimes they say "I hate you" and no longer associate with their parent. Other children stay with the parent until the parent feels they can be independent. Analogy: US (first child) Canada (second child). Cheers

€Xi has been showing that China and Japan are going to be friends. We have to wait to see how S Korea will react. This is good when N and S Korea are in direction of unification.

It is a inteligent diplomatic move.

Now Abe has to apologize to his supporters for the apology.

There's been no new apology to apologize for, Nessie.

Just Chinese whispers.

I've read on JT a few times where posters have listed the dates of several apologies to S. Korea - China and that compensation was given to South Korea by Japan because of the comfort women. I guess what I am asking is...was there ever a time when all three nations seemed to be moving forward or did they ever really accept Japan's apology?

.was there ever a time when all three nations seemed to be moving forward or did they ever really accept Japan's apology?

Again, it's not about how many times Japan has apologised. It's about the sincerity of their apologies. Unlike Germany, (who has reconciled with pretty much all of Europe) Japan has never enacted laws against denying what their government did in WW2, because they are in denial about what exactly it is they did. Every time someone like Kono or Murayama has issued an apology, someone like Abe, Nakamura, Hashimoto, Ishihara etc - has denied established facts like the Nanking massacre, the sex slaves, or even that Japan committed a war of aggression at all. Oh no, Abe and his friends would have you believe that the people of east and south east Asia invited the IJA in to liberate them from their western overlords and take their natural resources. It is a shame that someone like Kono is not the leader of Japan today

At the same time, we feel something awkward that people of other countries denounce us for what we didn't do.

People get confused. But the confusion is totally Japan's fault. What the Japanese people of today do is deny their barbaric behavior during the war, justify it, or go through life ignorant of it. Its highly annoying and frustrating and amid that justified anger, the plot gets lost and sons get blamed for the evil of their fathers. You don't like it? Then follow the German example. Teach the history. Don't whitewash it. Condemn deniers, and I assure you, Japan will gain respect.

Do children of criminals have to be punished?

If they inherited companies that still owe wages to former slaves, yes. The government owes wages as well. And both should be paying enough to keep up with inflation plus a healthy penalty for taking so long.

Also, again, if they deny or are ignorant of the crimes, yes, they should be punished for that.

Good to see some reconciliation, and recognition from China for Japan's past apologies.

Li greeted a trade delegation led by Yohei Kono, who as the countrys top government spokesman in 1993 issued an eponymous statement acknowledging the militarys involvement in a coercive comfort women brothel system during World War II. He did not admit government complicity in it.

Interesting distinction. But since the government during WW2, when the worst of the comfort women system was happening, was dominated by the military (General Tojo was PM), I am not sure if this very meaningful.

I hope Li Keqiang didn;t forget to praise the Asai Shinbun as well for publisging he fake stories that lead to the Kono Stayement. Give credit where credit is due.

I am glad with the fact that Kono and former prime minister Murayama apologized about comfort woman issue. Exploiting woman sexually by soliders is indeed a sad thing whether it was compulsory or for making money.

Now... It is your turn to apology, Korean and American goverment....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/11/us-southkorea-usa-military-idUSKBN0FG0VV20140711

I don't see any difference between Korean comfort women serving ex-Japanese soliders or US soldiers. They both cry and demand an apology!

Lets see how Korean court rules on this issue.

When's the Chinese gov going to apologise? They have plenty to apologise for ...just once would be a start in contrast to Japan.

So all Abe has to do is reaffirm the apology and everything is A-OK with China, right? right.

If it were not for the 24 that agreed with my thoughts, I would have a much more negative number.

So now even non-prime ministers are making apologies too? When is this nonsense going to stop?