Elizabeth not wanting to sound arrogant or condescending here but I really would like to ask you how many PM's here in Japan have to "officially" apologize before the world, or particularly Asia, accepts it?
There is no denying what happened, yet why does the current PM have to apologize again for something that his ancestors did?
Way back in 1992 or 93 then PM Miyazawa, I think it was, issued an official apology to all countries concerned, doesn't that count for something?
How long does it have to go on?
Actually PM Abe and FM Aso are now trying to suggest that the U.S. congressional resolution is not based on "objective facts".
As long at the political leaders in Japan tries to avoid admitting the crimes of the past, the issue will go on and on.
If the japanese leaders had followed the example of the German leaders who repeatedly and sincerely expressed remorse for the crimes committed during WWII, the past would be the past. Only by trying to avoid accepting guilt, the wounds of the past are cept fresh.
"Abe says no apology on comfort women
03/06/2007
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made clear Monday he will not offer a fresh apology on the wartime "comfort women" issue even if Japan is urged to do so by a U.S. congressional resolution.
"The resolution contains mistakes of fact," Abe told the Upper House Budget Committee when asked about his intentions.
The non-binding resolution calls on Japan to offer a formal apology for the Imperial Japanese Army's role in forcing Korean women and women of other nationalities to provide sex to Japanese soldiers in battlefields leading up and during World War II.
"Even if it is passed, it does not mean we will apologize," Abe said.
He said he basically stands by a 1993 government statement that acknowledged the military's role in forcing the women to work in wartime brothels.
The statement, by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, admitted the women were recruited through "coercion."
The statement offered the government's "sincere apologies and remorse."
Abe on Monday went on to say that "there was no coercion in such ways as military authorities bursting into homes and taking women out" to brothels.
He noted "there were cases in which brokers serving as middlemen in effect coerced them.
"So I think there was coercion in a broad sense."
Abe's remark last week that "there was no evidence" to prove coercion stirred a sharp backlash in South Korea and elsewhere.
The U.S. media widely reported it in connection with the proposed resolution.
Abe said the resolution "is not based on objective facts."
"It does not take into consideration the steps taken by the Japanese government so far, either," Abe said.
He said the government is making efforts to seek understanding of Japan's position "in response to moves by some members of Congress."
The chamber's budget committee started deliberations of the fiscal 2007 budget Monday after the Lower House approved it early Saturday.
"I do not think having a lengthy debate like this in the Diet is productive," Abe said when Toshio Ogawa of the opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) raised the question about comfort women.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, meantime, Monday brushed aside concerns that Abe's remark last week indicated his intention to review the 1993 statement.
Some conservative forces are seeking a review.
Shiozaki took issue with those who said Abe's words were not consistent with the Kono statement.
"I think (the criticisms) were not based on appropriate understanding of the prime minister's words," he said.(IHT/Asahi: March 6,2007) "