WW2-ANNIVERSARY/ABE STATEMENT-PREVIEW Japan PM's World War Two Anniversary statement gains attention prior to its release

Record ID: 144310

  • Title: WW2-ANNIVERSARY/ABE STATEMENT-PREVIEW Japan PM's World War Two Anniversary statement gains attention prior to its release
  • Date: 11th August 2015
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (RECENT - AUGUST 6, 2015) (REUTERS) WASEDA UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SHUHEI KURIZAKI, IN HIS RESEARCH ROOM KURIZAKI'S EYES BOOKS ON SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) WASEDA UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SHUHEI KURIZAKI , SAYING: "I'm afraid the word 'aggression' will not be used with the word 'apology' in a sincere manner." KURIZAKI'S EYES DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) WASEDA UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SHUHEI KURIZAKI, SAYING: "For (Prime Minister) Abe, this is a big chance. I believe he is in a good position to put an end to the issues surrounding the interpretations of history and apologies (for Japan's wartime past)." TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 10, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN TOKYO (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 21-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT, HAYATE SEKO, SAYING: "If we admit it (controversial wartime aggressions such as comfort women, in the statement) now, Japan's reputation will fall, so, even if we were to admit (to wartime aggressions), I think it's expected of the Prime Minister (Shinzo Abe) to express it in a way that doesn't jeopardize our position." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 23-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT, SHUHEI KOKUSHI, SAYING: "I think it (the statement) will include an assertive message regarding the idea of 'assertive pacifism,' but I want the thoughts of Chinese and Korean people to be respected." SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AUGUST 10, 2015) (REUTERS) SEOUL STREET VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 78-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, KANG IN-SEOB SAYING: "Prime Minister Abe should show that Japan is deeply reflecting on itself and moving toward the new future in the statement marking the 70th anniversary (of the World War Two's end). I believe that will bring a bright future for Japan." (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 30-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, SEO MIN-JOO SAYING: "Prime Minister Abe has made reckless remarks to the war victims, which are against the Murayama statement. I hope he makes a sincere apology to those war victims, including the comfort women, as we mark the 70th anniversary of our liberation (from the Japanese colonial rule)." BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 10, 2015) (REUTERS) BUS PASSING BY PROPAGANDA POSTER CELEBRATING 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA'S WW2 VICTORY PROPAGANDA POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 26-YEAR-OLD HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT, WANG HAIFEI, SAYING: "(Japan) gave the Chinese a massive psychological trauma, and the trauma (we experienced) is huge. I hope (Abe) reflects upon the facts and passes on the actual truth to the next generation." (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 27-YEAR-OLD IT TECHNICIAN, CAO JUN, SAYING: "If he reflects (upon the history of the occupation), then it shows that he is facing up to history. But as of now, he still hasn't apologised, which shows that he still doesn't realise the issue with this part (of history). (I) would persuade him not to stick to the same stubborn way of thinking." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR BUS ALONG PEDESTRIAN WALK
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7ZU8V58L0B0MGVNNS2MWR560H
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to make a statement later this week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
    The specific content and wordings of the statement, which will most likely address Japan's past aggression and colonialism, is gaining media attention and public scrutiny prior to its release in Japan and its Asian neighbours.
    During a parliamentary session last week, Abe briefly touched upon the contents of the statement.
    "In the new statement, it will include an apology for Japan's former governance, the path of Japan after the war as a pacifist nation, and how it (Japan) should contribute to peace in Asia and across the globe," Abe said.
    Abe is juggling conflicting priorities in crafting the statement, expected to be approved by his cabinet one day before the Aug. 15 anniversary. He needs to satisfy the desire of close ally the United States to ease tension in East Asia.
    He also wants to maintain an incipient thaw in ties with rival China, as he eyes a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping that one close aide said was likely in September.
    However, the conservative Abe's core supporters want to end what they see as a humiliating cycle of apologies they say distracts from Japan's seven decades of post-war peace.
    Abe has said he will uphold past statements about the war, including then-premier Tomiichi Murayama's 1995 landmark "heartfelt apology" for Japan's aggression and colonialism. But his previous remarks and stated desire to look to the future have raised concerns he wants to water down those apologies.
    "I'm afraid the word 'aggression' will not be used with the word 'apology' in a sincere manner," Waseda University Associate Professor Shuhei Kurizaki said.
    However, Kurizaki didn't dismiss the significance of the statement, describing it as an opportunity for Abe to end the dispute regarding Japan's wartime past.
    "For (Prime Minister) Abe, this is a big chance. I believe he is in a good position to put an end to the issues surrounding the interpretations of history and apologies (for Japan's wartime past)," he added.
    Residents in Tokyo also expressed mixed feelings, with some worrying Japan's reputation may be at stake if Abe appears too apologetic.
    "If we admit it (controversial wartime aggressions such as comfort women, in the statement) now, Japan's reputation will fall, so, even if we were to admit (to wartime aggressions), I think it's expected of the Prime Minister (Shinzo Abe) to express it in a way that doesn't jeopardize our position," said 21-year-old university student Hayate Seko.
    Meanwhile, another Japanese college student said consideration of the Chinese and Korean people's feelings is also important.
    "I think it (the statement) will include an assertive message regarding the idea of 'assertive pacifism,' but I want the thoughts of Chinese and Korean people to be respected," 23-year-old Shuhei Kokushi.
    In South Korea, many urge the Abe administration to make an apology and move toward the "new future".
    "Prime Minister Abe should show that Japan is deeply reflecting on itself and moving toward the new future in the statement marking the 70th anniversary (of the World War Two's end). I believe that will bring a bright future for Japan," said 78-year-old South Korean Kang In-Seob.
    "Prime Minister Abe has made reckless remarks to the war victims, which are against the Murayama statement. I hope he makes a sincere apology to those war victims, including the comfort women, as we mark the 70th anniversary of our liberation (from the Japanese colonial rule)," said 30-year-old Seo Min-Joo.
    South Korea has made it a condition for improved ties with Japan that Abe uphold past statements of apology over its colonisation of the Korean peninsula and its military's role in sex slavery.
    President Park Geun-hye said last week Abe's statement may be the last chance for the Japanese leader to resolve what is an issue of utmost urgency.
    In Beijing, similar opinions were voiced.
    "(Japan) gave the Chinese a massive psychological trauma, and the trauma (we experienced) is huge. I hope (Abe) reflects upon the facts and passes on the actual truth to the next generation," said 26-year-old Wang Haifei.
    "If he reflects (upon the history of the occupation), then it shows that he is facing up to history. But as of now, he still hasn't apologised, which shows that he still doesn't realise the issue with this part (of history). (I) would persuade him not to stick to the same stubborn way of thinking," said another, 27-year-old Cao Jun.
    China and South Korea have a common interest in ensuring Tokyo is held to account for its wartime past.
    Sino-Japan relations are plagued by China's bitter memories of Japan's occupation of parts of the country before and during World War Two. Ties have also chilled in recent years over territorial rows and mutual mistrust over Japan's bolder security policies and China's military assertiveness.
    The legacy of Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula has complicated ties between two strong allies of the United States in the region that are also, along with China, involved in diplomatic efforts to end North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
    South Korea also has separate disputes with Japan over territorial claims.
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