[Column] Ilbonguk and the Japanese Government

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "The Japanese government must apologize and compensate for its past!"

This is the cry from victims and bereaved families of Japanese military comfort women, forced labor, and forced conscription, as well as related civic groups, at rallies and lawsuits. A lawyer in Seocho-dong told the reporter, "Actually, the subject is wrong." It should be "Nihon-koku" (the State of Japan), not "Nihon-seifu" (the Japanese government). Saying "Japanese government" limits responsibility to the Prime Minister and the ruling party. Saying "Nihon-koku" includes them as well as the current Emperor Naruhito and his family. There is no reason to exempt the Emperor from responsibility for our painful history during the Japanese colonial period.

Some might argue that Emperor Hirohito was not indicted as a war criminal at the Tokyo Trials held in 1946 after World War II, citing this as a reason. At that time, General MacArthur of the United States did not prosecute Emperor Hirohito to prevent the rapid collapse of Japan. He feared that if Hirohito were indicted, sentenced to death, and executed, it would cause riots among the Japanese people.

However, this is not justifiable. The lawyer said, "Emperor Hirohito was only exempted from individual responsibility at that time," and "That does not mean the responsibility of the Emperor's family has disappeared until now."

On the 8th, it was the first anniversary of our court recognizing Japan's liability for compensation and ordering the payment of 100 million won each to the surviving victims of Japanese military comfort women. This ruling became final as Japan did not appeal. However, since then, victims have lost or had their claims dismissed or rejected in various lawsuits against Japan, blocking the path to compensation. Even in the comfort women case where liability was recognized, the court is currently identifying the Japanese government's assets in Korea, but it is unclear whether this will lead to seizure or other enforcement measures. The presidential election is approaching, and the atmosphere could change again. At times like this, we must continue to demand Japan's reflection and responsibility.

Not the Japanese government, but Nihon-koku.

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