Abe Praises Himself Saying "Verification of Kono Statement Brings Us Closer to Historical Truth"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed that verifying the "Kono Statement," which acknowledged the coercion in the mobilization of comfort women by the Japanese military and issued an apology, helped clarify the truth and bring related debates to a close.

In an interview with Sankei Shimbun published on the 13th, former Prime Minister Abe said regarding the verification of the Kono Statement during his tenure, "Many people came closer to the truth of history, thereby putting an end to this issue."

The Kono Statement was announced in August 1993 by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, stating that comfort stations were established at the request of the Japanese military at the time, and that the Japanese military was directly and indirectly involved in managing the comfort stations and transporting comfort women. It included an apology and a commitment to learn from history.

Later, in June 2014, the Abe administration released a verification report suggesting that the content of the statement was coordinated between the Japanese and South Korean governments during its drafting process, emphasizing that the Kono Statement was a result of political compromise. This lent support to right-wing factions denying the coercion in the mobilization of Japanese military comfort women and the responsibility of the Japanese government.

Sankei explained, "In the interview, Prime Minister Abe expressed a strong awareness during his tenure that Japan should not remain a defeated country endlessly repeating apology diplomacy." It also analyzed, "Currently, the intermittent disputes and conflicts between Japan and various foreign countries over historical issues have almost disappeared. Overcoming the postwar legacy is a remarkable achievement of the Abe administration."

In this interview, former Prime Minister Abe also attributed significance to the 2015 August announcement of the "Postwar 70th Anniversary Statement" and his 2016 visit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, saying that it was possible to "end the postwar era." In the Postwar 70th Anniversary Statement, he said, "In Japan, the generation born after the war now accounts for over 80% of the population," and added, "We must not impose the fate of continuing to apologize on our children, grandchildren, and future generations."

When asked whether Prime Minister Suga, whose term as LDP president ends next September, should continue to serve as president, former Prime Minister Abe replied, "Of course." This effectively expressed support for extending Prime Minister Suga's term.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.