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Draft of Abe's WWII statement includes 'apology,' NHK reports

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Let's wait and see what he actually says. Anyone can use "apology" in a sentence and it will mean nothing without it being sincere, and having no action to back it up.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

I get the feeling this will be a thinly-veiled apology, with a focus on 'future peace'. Interpret that how you will.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

There can be no other way, the Japanese time of aggression was indeed of great suffering to many countries and to the innocent people of Japan themselves.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

There can be no other way, the Japanese time of aggression was indeed of great suffering to many countries and to the innocent people of Japan themselves.

No, no, no....as Abe sees it Japan was a victim. Repeat after me, "Japan was a victim". There is no need to apologize for anything, "Japan was a victim".

For those that can not read it....that is pure sarcasm.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

this is why it's senseless for abe to say anything at all. you apologize, express remorse and say it was an act of aggression but you still have people/morons like the above commentators who don't give a squat. they will complain no matter what. damned if you do and damned if you don't.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I get the feeling this will be an 'apology' to no one in particular, and will mention 'aggression' not by Japan, but by nations in general. In other words, he's going to use those words alright, but not in any way that addresses Japan's past actions or in the form of an apology from Japan, but just some blanket statement that waters down previous apologies and statements for Abe's 'forward thinking' crap. Then he can say he used those words and ask why other nations are 'picking on Japan', even though in fact he rolled things backwards.

You could demand I use the word 'apology' in a statement, as well as aggression, and I could promise, then say to you: "I am sorry and regret that you are being so aggressive towards me in demanding an apology!" and I would not have broken my promise, would I have?

1 ( +9 / -8 )

The Japanese people paid a terrible price.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

The Japanese people paid a terrible price.

Yes they did, but never forget the road they took that led to their suffering. THAT is the problem with collective amnesia.

8 ( +16 / -8 )

Whatever the apology or non-apology, S. Korea and China are heavily invested in it being insufficient, so that's what they'll call it.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Time to grow a pair, Abe. You still have a chance at a legacy despite the crap archery.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Christ, this is a textbook demonstration of news stories that are cynically designed to attract attention despite having not a single thing to say.

What's next? Breaking news! Abe's statement will be delivered in Japanese! It will contain the topic marker 「が」! It will be spoken using his oral/nasal cavities up to and possibly including his glottis to create sounds that are interpreted as words! Sources close to the Abe cabinet have hinted that those words may carry lexical meaning, though we're waiting for independent confirmation of that.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Perhaps, if he sincerely says that the Japanese were the worst people in the history of civilization, and that he will make Japan pay one million yen to all those infected by the meanness and outright animallistic slaughtering by the Japanese from 70 years before and way before that, that the Chinese and the Koreans will definitely forgive the Japanese for their awful ways and finally accept them as equals. Cough. They will not think it is sincere until the Chinese and the Koreans can rewrite the history books to be used in Japanese and all other schools around the world.

Ms. M

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

It really doesn:t matter how any past or present Prime Minister puts or says the word apology. The real meaning is useless and empty words as viewed by other countries. If Japan is really serious and committed to formally apologize it would allow that message to come officially from the Emperor:s house/)family) followed by the traditional deep bow and then officially disembark the title and position forever being denouncing any future Emporor system.That only that would other countries seriously take Japan at their word.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

August 2245AD... China & South Korea still demand apologies from Japan

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Abe will tell another version of how Japan's glorified role of saving asian people in coming a few months later. You know he must balance the frustration of right-wing cliques inside the LDP

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Say goodbye to all the tourists from China who have been supporting the Japanese economy with their generous spending here in Japan.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Say goodbye to all the tourists from China who have been supporting the Japanese economy with their generous spending here in Japan.

I think those tourists already know who Abe is, it's not like until today he was a completely different leader.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Abe could always deliver the "Suga" apology:

"I'm sorry you are upset about it!"

0 ( +1 / -1 )

yep, while the story of the nuclear has been supported by every country, i think it will be great if japan can give at least some support (from the leadership) to the voices of others, like comfort women, etc. they need it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whatever the apology or non-apology, S. Korea and China are heavily invested in it being insufficient, so that's what they'll call it.

Again, Japanese putting themselves as the victims for creating this mess in the first place.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

PM Abe is a master politician, and I believe he knows what to say.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Oh, good grief! This is getting beyond a joke! Why not just get the Chinese and Korean foreign ministries to wrote the speech and let Abe read it? Would that make them happy? Abe's speech has not come from him and has no sincerity what-so-ever! It is just a load of political guff in an attempt to calm the playground spat between these Asian children. So, his speech includes the words, 'apology' and 'aggression'? Big effing deal! He didn't write it!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

What's the specific Japanese words for "apology" and "aggression" that he will say?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whatever the apology or non-apology, S. Korea and China are heavily invested in it being insufficient, so that's what they'll call it.

Maybe, but a proper apology will show other countries that Japan/Abe is doing the right thing - something many don't believe they have been doing until now.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

NHK is the government, why would they release this information, it is not like it leaked. The only reason to release a draft is to actually not say it in the final version.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Abe is a good guy! I'm an Abe-sympathizer. There! I said it! Now downvote me!

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

@CGB

Consider yourself well and truly down-voted, my old friend.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

'Abe is a good guy! I'm an Abe-sympathizer. There! I said it! Now downvote me!'

Give us the reasons why he's a good guy. I'll think long and hard about them before down-voting you again.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

What's this "panel composed mostly of academics and journalists" referred to? The AFP are pretty sloppy with such references.

If it's comprised of all party members, I'll won't wait for their response.

@Papi2013

You are misrepresent the Japanese position. "Victim" isn't quite the right word.

I am afraid that portraying Japan in that mode is a little disingenuous.

I always wonder what people who take the stance of making such accusations think Japan should have done, e.g. roll over and die like a submissive doggy for the USA to subjugate it.

Where I agree Japan was victimized was in the deliberate refusal to accept the conditional surrender it offered far earlier, which would have saved the lives of at least 100,000s if not millions on both sides.

That was malicious.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Many Japanese are very tired of this apology thing and don't understand why the govt is doing this so many times every year even after 70 years.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

'Many Japanese are very tired of this apology thing and don't understand why the govt is doing this so many times every year even after 70 years.'

Congratulations on using the word 'many' in front of 'Japanese people'.

Perhaps if those nationalists in power would stop denying atrocities after apologizing for them, your beloved Chinese and Koreans wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

You don't know until you try.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

tinawatanabe AUG. 11, 2015 - 12:05AM JST Many Japanese are very tired of this apology thing and don't understand why the govt is doing this so many times every year even after 70 years.

They don't seem to get tired of going to Yasukuni Shrine every year though. If they stopped going there, they don't have to apologise every time, I bet.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Japan YesterdayAUG. 10, 2015 - 09:23PM JST What's the specific Japanese words for "apology" and "aggression" that he will say

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

You have to wait his speech. He hasn't said anything yet. Both words each has many words with different nuance.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Receipe for moving goal posts as well as the usual 'show sincerity' card.

’誠意を見せろ’(show sincerity) are terms often used by Yakuza's to extort money.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Nothing will change. Apologies tend to be given when there is a belief that those apologies will be accepted, at least in part, and that dialogue between the two sides will be advanced. So unless there are strong reasons to do so, most leaders avoid it. The problem is, in China and Korea there has been very little readiness to accept Japan’s efforts to promote reconciliation, and as a result, those efforts have tended to founder.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Many Japanese are very tired of this apology thing and don't understand why the govt is doing this so many times every year even after 70 years.

That's the problem - they don't understand why, because Japan has never educated its people on what went wrong, so as to not repeat it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Abe-san makes new apology that cancels previous apology which is standard LDP procedure. It is in their book of rules.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

After months of handwringing, gauging the reprimands of allies, especially but not only the US and the damage to trade in China and South Korea it will be just politics and empty phrases. The speech writers have spend a lot of time to find the right words but to say as little as possible. Everybody knows what Mr Abe and his faction really stands for: burying the memory and leftover guilt for Japanese past history. Any apology will be therefore void of sincerity and conviction and play into the political scheming of China and South Korea.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think US is behind this who are using South Korea and China as an excuse.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

China says more than 20 million of its citizens died as a result of Japan’s invasion, occupation and atrocities.

Mass murderer Mao killed 38 million and they put him on their banknotes! When will the communists apologise for that?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Many Japanese are very tired of this apology thing and don't understand why the govt is doing this so many times every year even after 70 years.

If they truly don't understand, they lack knowledge or intelligence. If they merely pretend not to understand, they lack honesty. Luckily I know that neither of these is the case, and so the assertion by Tina is false.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

YubaruAug. 10, 2015 - 04:57PM JST "The Japanese people paid a terrible price. Yes they did, but never forget the road they took that led to their suffering. THAT is the problem with collective amnesia.

Collective amnesia? You haven't noticed all the public resistance to normalizing the Japanese military? Get a clue.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I truly believe The Chinese, and to a lesser extent, Korean governments hope Abr parsis his words and leaves the door open to criticize him for failing to deliver an apology.

Why play into their hands? Give them an unambiguous, effusive appology and a 90 degree ass raise and have it over. Then the charade would be over and any attempt to keep the flame alive could be easily quashed with reference to this apology.

Abe and the Japanese government want this conflict as much as the Chinese and the Koreans because it would be quite easy to put this to rest.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"I'm sorry you are upset about it!"

The ol' passive-aggressive switcheroo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If the Soviets has taken Japan or the northern Japan, then there will be a law prohibits whitewashed pro imperalists aggressions illustrations of history and no rightist party like that LDP! People like Abe,Aso....etc were decendents of lower class war criminals who inherited their family business in japan. The people of japan resentment these ugly families. The person should be blamed for today tense and unfriendly ties of asian people like was Douglas MacArthur during his governing in Japan amnesty to rightist elements for anti communists purposes! MacArthur defeated in Korea and the dismissal of his rank was a God's punishment over him. He was disgraceful

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan has no need to apologize yet again, plain and simple.

It's been done. Compensation paid. It's old history now.

At some point they've got to put a stop to it.

Now the emphasis form China and Korea is just about making today's Japan to appear in a negative light, to keep it bowed, to weaken American political and military support for it.

I would say the emphasis comes mainly from China now as it is pushing for a conflict over territorial claims and it wants the USA out of the fight.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The only two countries on this planet who persistently harp on WWII and squeezing apology after apology out of Japan after rejecting each apology as "not sincere" are two counties that didn't exist during WWII. The South Koreans go one step further by denying the reality that they were part of the Japanese Empire and Koreans were invading other Asian countries.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

He should apologize for Japan becoming an imperialist monster like European countries rather than helping China and Asia free themselves from European Imperialism.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Helping China and Asia free from European Imperialism?, more likely Japan was trying to make China and Asia their colonies, those who don't submit are treated badly, Rape of Nanjing is just a good example.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@chubbychub Please re-read my message. I said Japan was a monster, just like the Europeans. Japan SHOULD have helped free China and Asia from European monsters, but it did not. It became a monster and treated colonies badly. Well, except Taiwan maybe.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Japan Violet

The Japanese people paid a terrible price.

How much terrible compare to millions of people has been massacre, rape, being sashimi and so on? at least it didn't happen to Japanese people.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The actions of the IJA, and the blame lies mostly with the IJA and not for example the Navy leaders, had no democratic mandate.

You cannot blame the Japanese people for them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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