Abe Ditches Tradition of Expressing Remorse for WWII (Japan)

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 11/01/2013 | Chosun Ilbo

[TexGrill]

Shinzo Abe raise eyebrows on Thursday by breaking away from a 20-year tradition of Japanese prime ministers expressing remorse over their country's wartime aggression and pledging not to let it happen again when they mark the end of World War II.

Speaking on the 68th anniversary of the Japan's surrender in World War II, Abe instead highlighted the "sacrifices" of Japanese soldiers.

Since Morihiro Hosokawa in 1993, all Japanese prime ministers have included acknowledgement of the damage and pain Japan inflicted on countries in Asia and their peoples, and promised that Japan would never engage in a war, in their annual war memorial speech on Aug. 15. During his first stint as prime minister n 2007, Abe did the same.

But amid a seismic lurch to the far right in his second term, Abe apparently decided that there has been enough remorse. "I am speaking on behalf of the government for the spirits of those who fell in the war while thinking of their country and families. I never forget for even a single moment that current peace and prosperity was built on their sacrifices," said Abe.

[TexGrill]

Global business tip

[Darteaus94025]

The statute of limitations must have expired on mass murder and genocide. Especially when China and Cambodia don’t have to express shame...

[ExGeeEye]

I think it does expire with the death of the last culpable participant.

“I do not know the method of drawing up an indictment against a whole people.” —Edmund Burke

[MrKatykelly]

Japan lives in a pretty nasty neighborhood. Since they can’t rely on Obama they are probably thinking they better man up here pretty fast. To which I say “about time.”

[LS]

Any nation that calls itself sovereign must have an army and navy, and can't apologize forever. We, here, have done enough apologizing for slavery.

Now, if that nation becomes aggressive, it's up to other sovereign nations to evaluate their own self interest and, if necessary, stop them.

[alexander_busek]

The statute of limitations must have expired on mass murder and genocide. Especially when China and Cambodia don’t have to express shame...

Yes, but the genocides perpetrated by China and Cambodia were (mostly) directed against their own populaces, whereas most of the victims of Japan's war crimes were non-Japanese.

Regards,

[Vermont Lt]

At least he won’t be lying when they start shooting at China.

[driftless2]

In other news Prime mMnister Abe announced plans for a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere II and would be sending friendly ships and planes to certain Pacific islands and Asian countries to kick-off the program.