Suga repeats Japan won't revise 1993 apology to wartime 'comfort women'

“The government will examine the statement, but we will not revise it,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

What does that even mean? More silly word games.

I wish these lawmakers would just stick to the task of improving relations with Japan's neighbors and bringing the Japanese economy back to health.

The what the hell is the point of examining it? It makes no sense. They only buckled under international pressure. Pathetic, don't you think, right wingers? Why aren't the right wingers mad about this? Your leader has failed to revise the Kono statement!

Nevertheless, they're talking about making a new "Abe statement", if they can't revise the Kono statement.

So, as I said, all that guff Abe was spouting in holland about history was only a PR stunt and had no substance at all!

For god's sake - let it go!

LOL, the stuff that comes out of this guys mouth....should print it, bundle it and sell it as a joke-book

These guys seem to need advising before they even open their mouths, i guess they are always just trying to score points with what ever faction they are trying to appeal to..

Blabbermouth!

Leave it alone move forward don't mention this topic again it will serve no further purpose to utter those two words C W.

Hahaha!!! Everyone knew Abe's crap in Holland was just posturing. Already at home you have apologists apologizing for aides letting their true intentions known while Abe's still on his lip-service tour.

"we're not going to touch the original apology (but that doesn't mean we can't make a new statement up!" no wonder Suga has to rush to cover this up... Abe is still overseas lying to everyone.

A humble suggestion, as current relationships between Japan and Korea seems to be interminably aggravated by the political process, this complex conflict requires perhaps a more creative or an combined application of approaches.

For the dignity of both countries concerned, a council/special tribunal needs to be formed that focuses on restorative justice, combining atonement and forgiveness that has cultural meaning and will form a moral processes/basis for creating the political conditions for lasting reconciliation.

Politicians are notoriously inept at relieving the torment of excruciating past memories, most importantly the wider society must, therefore, be involved throughout the whole reconciliation process so then before any politician takes office they swears an oath of covenant to uphold the agreed process.

Please, this is a suggestion I won't pretend to begin to understand or appreciate the corrosive nature of this debate.

What does that even mean? More silly word games.

Yes. What the Cabinet is going to do is to investigate those who were involved that lead up to the Kono Statement abd evidence and testimony that was presented to conclude such statement for the Japanese public wants to know. This should be WELCOMED by ALL parties for this is essentially seeking the truth.

"Let it go? ."

I was in the ward office today. I went down to B1 to smoke a cigarette in a government building. On the wall there was a poster that read No More Hiroshima, No More Nagasaki! Never again!

What if I told you to "Let It Go!"

Nah, they should never "Let It go!!". South Koreans are right in their history and their beliefs.

Yes. What the Cabinet is going to do is to investigate those who were involved that lead up to the Kono Statement abd evidence and testimony that was presented to conclude such statement for the Japanese public wants to know. This should be WELCOMED by ALL parties for this is essentially seeking the truth.

But they're not going to revise it in any way, so it makes no sense.

And now some nationalists are saying "let it go", when they realize that it can't be revised. LOL.

So what if they look at the statement? If they aren't going to revise or replace it what does it matter? The original stands and will be maintained as the official statement.

Thomas AndersonMar. 24, 2014 - 03:50PM JST The what the hell is the point of examining it? It makes no sense.

So you have a problem with him saying they won't reverse or revise an apology?

Sounds like you have a damned if Japan does and damned if Japan doesn't position!

Be honest, if he said they were going to revise the apology would your post have been any different. Just admit it, you couldn't careless if they did or they didn't your "I hate Japan" would still be the same.

Thomas AndersonMar. 24, 2014 - 05:31PM JST But they're not going to revise it in any way, so it makes no sense. And now some nationalists are saying "let it go", when they realize that it can't be revised. LOL.

The only folks trying to use this as a TPM are the far left loons that have nothing else to hook their claws into.

They try and make this into something it is not. No one can speak of facts and reality to an addict filled with hate. Most Far Left wingers are filled with the same kind of hate as the far right. The only difference is they both try and justify their positions with lies.

wink If the shoe fits.....

Thunderbird2Mar. 24, 2014 - 05:32PM JST So what if they look at the statement? If they aren't going to revise or replace it what does it matter? The original stands and will be maintained as the official statement.

Correct, but reality and facts don't matter in this case. The extreme far left will try and use this as justification to hate some more.

smithinjapanMar. 24, 2014 - 04:46PM JST Hahaha!!! Everyone knew Abe's crap in Holland was just posturing.

No smith, everyone didn't know it or see it as you or the rest of the far right do. Many of us saw it and see it for what it really was and is.

Reality fades away when fanaticism takes hold and your hatred and fanaticism shines through with every post. %0 cents per post must truly be worth it.

So you have a problem with him saying they won't reverse or revise an apology?

Then please tell me what this exactly means, because it is a pointless thing to do:

“The government will examine the statement, but we will not revise it,”

In a way, this is a stereotypically Japanese reaction - try to please all parties (or at least not disgust anyone too much) and wind up pleasing none (or disgusting everyone).

At this point, they might as well go ahead with the review with promise of change if the verdict is indeed "Unsubstantiated". Sure the West wouldn't like it but it is clear the LDP feels it cannot abandon its more right-wing elements so unconditional surrender is not a real choice for them. And right now, they are getting ripped going in, ripped again going out - at least once a year. Don't they realize that they might as well get ripped only once?

Believe him, Shinzo Abe and the rest at your own risk.

Thomas AndersonMar. 24, 2014 - 06:21PM JST So you have a problem with him saying they won't reverse or revise an apology? Then please tell me what this exactly means, because it is a pointless thing to do: The government will examine the statement, but we will not revise it

Most people find it difficult to understand when they have an agenda to promote. So, I will try and help you out before you blow a gasket. Let me try and save you from yourself.

Politics and international politics is actually a grand game of chess played by grand masters. Being played by these masters who plan and execute gambits everyday, most folks who can't see past their breakfast tables just don't get it.

So, let me help you out a bit...

Recently PM Abe played a gambit against President Park and she bit.

She thought she had Abe with the Kono apology, so she pressed the issue. But, the harder she pressed the more exposed she left her queen exposed. Her queen was the "Comfort women" issue.

So, seeing victory on a political scale she pressed her point, but the more she pressed the more her queen became exposed. Then before she knew it, it was either do or die.

If she didn't agree to this trilateral meeting with Abe and Obama she would completely lose that queen.

Do you now understand it now?

Political Gambit.....

This last gambit was orchestrated by Prime Minister Abe. Now, I understand that you don't want to see it or acknowledge it, but that doesn't matter. This gambit brought about a meeting that was not expected.

This meeting is a do or die matter for peace between South Korea and Japan.

I for one believe that South Korea doesn't want anything to do with Japan.

I believe that South Korea wishes to side with Communist China and North Korea.

But, honestly I wish I am wrong, I wish South Korea will wake up and see the flowers being offered by North Korea and Communist China as poisonous as they really are. But, I know they will not until it is too late.

So, in my honest opinion this meeting is a complete waste of time for South Korean's, but needed for the US to see that South Korea is no longer the ally President Obama thinks it is.

But, let me say it one more time, I hope I am wrong. Can't pray because I don't believe in gods or coincidences. If I am wrong I will admit it, but if I am right will you admit that? I don't think so.

Abe is a big liar !

Do not any more puns!!!

Well this is at least better in the eyes of the Koreans I guess. I am so tired of this whole thing. Just pure nonsense. The Fukushima nuclear spill is a much bigger problem to solve which is immediate and this stuff from 60 years ago is just a distraction from what needs to be done now. This whole world is filled with children.

“The government will examine the statement, but we will not revise it,”

I am not sure that this examination would accomplish anything that would be any significance to help Abe’s admin in first place in terms of existing outcome even there are some minor errors uncovered.

As the matter of fact, any excuse from Japan to backslide on sex slave issue will not bode well with Washington which has repeatedly advice Abe to move forward pertaining to Japan’s war history ( no one should be held responsible for his or her grandfather’s war crimes.)

It would be an unproductive act for Japan to be obsessed in “vindicating” itself for wartime crimes.

Here is the thing: Abe is fed up with S.K’s stance on sex slaves, then is his admin doing it differently? I am afraid that this unnecessary examination could reverse any progress made so far between Japan and S.K

Japan has already given many apologies and as I said before the only reason for an apology is so that Korea can get more money which they will use and not give to the comfort woman in the first place. The money has been given before and these 'comfort women' never received it. The Koreans do not know about this or else they would revolt and overturn the whole government. Everyone is being lied to and getting caught in all this nonsense.

This is a different goverment than the one 60+ years ago, so it's pointless to ask for an apology anyway.

sooner41Mar. 24, 2014 - 07:33PM JST Abe is a big liar !

Prove it, prove that Abe wants to revise the Kono apology.......

Time is ticking and your wanabe proof has little time......

Gem Ofa PersonMar. 24, 2014 - 09:09PM JST Japan has already given many apologies and as I said before the only reason for an apology is so that Korea can get more money which they will use and not give to the comfort woman in the first place

Well said Gem, but sadly for reality this row has nothing to do with the truth, this is deeper than most know and more sinister than most will acknowledge.

More apologies aren't the goal, the revision of the 1965 treaty is. South Korea wants to revise the 1965 treaty, so they don't have to pay for the Korean reunification carrot trap. They want Japan and the US to pay the full load because that is what Communist China wants.

Look it up, South Korea and President claim that reunification will only cost 50 Billion dollars. But, anyone with half a brain knows that that is a pipedream. The real numbers are around 100 times that fantasy.

South Korea and Communist China will go bankrupt if they have to pay it by themselves. So if they can get the US and Japan to pay for it and let them go bankrupt the better.

This is a game being played out by the new BFF's known as Communist China and South Korea. But, what South Korea doesn't get is that they are the ones being used.

In the end, they will have to bend their knees to Emperor Kim and his master President Xi.

Here is the text of Kono apology.

August 4, 1993: Chief Cabinet Secretary Yōhei Kōno said: "Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of the day, that severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government of Japan would like to take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women" (Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the result of the study on the issue of "comfort women")

JoeBiggs: "No smith, everyone didn't know it or see it as you or the rest of the far right do. Many of us saw it and see it for what it really was and is."

Hate to break this to you, amigo, but the far right is where Abe and his supporters hide, like yourself. I'm about as far right as my left little finger. Abe is so far right he makes his 180s into 360s.

"Reality fades away when fanaticism takes hold and your hatred and fanaticism shines through with every post. %0 cents per post must truly be worth it."

I really cannot make any sense out of what you are saying here. "0% cents per post must be truly worth it" means what, exactly, save that you cannot make a relevant reply?

So back to the point; yes, everyone with a brain knows that Abe is simply posturing while Suga is back home having to try and gloss over the fact that Abe aides admit they want to make a new statement about sex slaves. If you can't see that? well... refer to this paragraph's part about having a brain. In the mean time, I'm glad you can admit Japan is guilty of engaging in sexual slavery in the past, since you stand by the Kono statement. Good on you.

JoeBigs Said: "I believe that South Korea wishes to side with Communist China and North Korea...I wish South Korea will wake up and see the flowers being offered by North Korea and Communist China as poisonous...this meeting is a complete waste of time for South Korean's, but needed for the US to see that South Korea is no longer the ally President Obama thinks it is."

Wow, can't believe people are still so desperately trying to make this look like it's all South Korea's fault! Just stop it, if you love Japan and want to defend what's left of its reputation in the international community. All you're doing with pathetic attempts like this to shift blame and distract focus from the real issue of Japan's denial, demurral and dithering is to make all that denial, demurral and dithering look even worse.

But they're not going to revise it in any way, so it makes no sense.

Of course it does. Based on the articles that surfaced recently, what's going to show is that testimonies from 16 women provided by the Korean government shows no evidence of military forcing them, their locations that they were allegedly taken to has no record of ever having a military brothels there, and that Korean government pursuaded to include enforcement by the military despite complete lack of evidence for they promised that in return, drop the issue.

nigelboy: "Of course it does. Based on the articles that surfaced recently, what's going to show is that testimonies from 16 women provided by the Korean government shows no evidence of military forcing them"

Because you were there, right? Even CH3CHO stated you have no right to talk about this if you were no there, and you, the historians, and revisionists, or fascists, were not, unlike the victims and former soldiers who have confessed were. Talk about the 'opinions that surfaced recently' all you want and I'll show you an opinion (and not coincidentally you take these opinions as fact but ignore the claims of victims for years on end!) that suddenly appeared out of my pocket and claim it as fact! Seriously... you're as Japanese historian as they come.

Because you were there, right? Even CH3CHO stated you have no right to talk about this if you were no there, and you, the historians, and revisionists, or fascists, were not, unlike the victims and former soldiers who have confessed were. Talk about the 'opinions that surfaced recently' all you want and I'll show you an opinion (and not coincidentally you take these opinions as fact but ignore the claims of victims for years on end!) that suddenly appeared out of my pocket and claim it as fact! Seriously... you're as Japanese historian as they come.

Me? No. But am I to assume that you don't want the re-investigation? If so, please tell us why.

“The government will examine the statement, but we will not revise it,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

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Anyone can read and re-read Kono statement as long as it is not revised. Just like we read books over and over. That apology is very short. I'd bet they read in Japanese language. I wrote English version in this thread and a few more threads so that JT commenters know how short it is. Nothing to revise as it is too short statements.

Simple politics. Makes it harder for sone countries to fool ignorant parts of the world that japan never apologised. Try that line now.

Sorry, but the Japanese court has decided that the testimonies of the comfort women are "indisputable truth". And yes, the testimonies included forced recruitments. And no, there are no contradictions.

And Kono himself doesn't think that Japan has apologized enough.

Thomas AndersonMar. 25, 2014 - 08:16AM JST

Sorry, but the Japanese court has decided that the testimonies of the comfort women are "indisputable truth". And yes, the testimonies included forced recruitments. And no, there are no contradictions.

Why do you omit the fact that the court found that they were not forced by Japanese government by local pimps, and that the compensation claims were all settled by 1965 treaty?

I think your source of information may not be as trustworthy as you want to think she is.

They were forced by the Japanese military. That is an indisputable fact. Sorry.

Thomas AndersonMar. 25, 2014 - 08:16AM JST Sorry, but the Japanese court has decided that the testimonies of the comfort women are "indisputable truth". And yes, the testimonies included forced recruitments. And no, there are no contradictions.

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Nothing to do with any Japanese court. This is decision of current Japanese Govt.

toshiko

Nothing to do with any Japanese court. This is decision of current Japanese Govt.

The Kono statement follows the decisions made by the Japanese court.

Btw Abe has not denied that the suggestion made by Koichi Hagiuda that Abe should make a new "Abe statement".

@thomas Anderson The Kono statement follows the decisions made by the Japanese court. Btw Abe has not denied that the suggestion made by Koichi Hagiuda that Abe should make a new "Abe statement".

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Last Suga comment was not in 1993. Which court in 1993 era are you talking? Suga comment weas a little while ago after he got heated argument with a politician in the Diet and got help of historians and got copy of SDF library to prove there wa comfort woman.

@Thomas Anderson: You still did not mention the name of court. Maybe you can write the name of the organization or people who sued against Kono statement in 1993. Again, this is 2014 and Suga and Abe were not in 1993 political scenes. Just write which court. Don;t care comfort woam details. I remember when Japan proudly declared Military found the way to have useless women to military use in Asahi, Mainichi during WW II.

@Gem Ofa Pewrson: These 16 comments are by former comfort women, biased against Japan or not, they are testimony by former comfort women, I don;t blame these old ladies who hate Japan. Do you have proof that they receive money? Write who are paying them, They must be about 90 years old or almost 90 years old. You are writing like you met them.

t