Abe Could Learn a Thing or Two From Murayama
Former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama said, “It is an indisputable fact that the Japanese military set up and operated ‘comfort centers’ and the Japanese government is responsible.” He added, “It is almost pointless to argue whether the Japanese military played a role in forcibly recruiting comfort women.” He was directly refuting comments by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who said there was no evidence or records to prove the forced mobilization of sex slaves. He was also refuting an official Japanese government announcement that its investigation found no records that directly show the Japanese military’s or government’s role in forcing women into sexual slavery.
On Aug. 15, 1995, during his tenure, Murayama made a speech on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, apologizing for Japan’s past colonial aggressions. “Our country has caused pain and loss to many countries, especially Asian ones, through our acts of colonial rule and invasion,” he said. “I once again offer my sincerest apology and condolences to those who suffered.” Korea, China and other neighboring countries accepted Murayama’s words as a comprehensive act of introspection by Japan over its past history, following comments by chief Cabinet secretary Yohei Kono in 1993 acknowledging and apologizing for the forced mobilization of sex slaves. The countries had decided it was time to search for a new, future-oriented relationship with Japan.
But prime minister Junichiro Koizumi pushed ahead with visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors convicted World War II criminals among the war dead, and Abe is denying the forced mobilization of sex slaves. This exactly reverses the stance Japan had taken just 10 years ago. Japan has pushed away its regional neighbors, who had sought to build a new relationship. Now, Murayama has voiced concern, saying there are people who do not have a “proper view” of the past.
Last October, just after taking office and with looming summits with Korea and China, Abe said he would stand by Murayama’s words. But just a few months later, he overturned every one of Japan’s previous apologies and is walking down a path exactly the opposite of Murayama, who said he sought to “pursue international cooperation, while rejecting self-righteous nationalism.”
