"Japan's Ishiba Considers Issuing Postwar 80th Anniversary Statement Reflecting Historical Awareness"
by Kim HyeongMin
Published 01 Mar.2025 10:22(KST)
Reviewing Japan's Wartime Actions, New Perspective Deemed Necessary
Discussions Already Underway on Timing and Format... No Clear Position Yet
Japanese Media Predicts "Strong Opposition from LDP Conservatives"
Ishiba Considered a Moderate on Historical Awareness
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly considering issuing a statement on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II that reflects historical awareness and a commitment to peace as a nation, according to local media including the Mainichi Shimbun on the 1st.
According to the newspaper's report, Prime Minister Ishiba is said to have judged that it would be meaningful to present a new perspective after reviewing Japan's wartime actions, taking into account changes in the international situation such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement on the 70th anniversary of the postwar period in 2015. In this regard, a person close to the Prime Minister reportedly told Kyodo News that "doing nothing on the 80th anniversary (of the postwar period) is unthinkable."
Prime Minister Ishiba already began discussions on the 80th anniversary postwar statement with several senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office in late last month. Ishiba is expected to exchange views on the timing and format of the announcement, referring to the fact that postwar statements by Japanese prime ministers, issued every ten years since 1995, have been approved by the Cabinet and released on or just before August 15, the day of Japan's defeat. There is also a possibility that an expert panel will be established to coordinate the content of the statement.
Kyodo News predicted that if Prime Minister Ishiba issues the 80th anniversary postwar statement, he will basically follow the statements of past cabinets, including the 70th anniversary statement, while also incorporating his own views. However, Ishiba has not yet made a clear stance on whether to issue the 80th anniversary statement. The coalition partner Komeito supports the issuance of the statement, but conservative factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party strongly oppose it, emphasizing that former Prime Minister Abe mentioned in the 70th anniversary statement that the burden of apology should not be passed on to future generations.
Previously, Prime Minister Ishiba, who has long been active as a non-mainstream member within the party and has criticized former Prime Minister Abe, has been regarded as having a relatively moderate historical awareness. In the 70th anniversary postwar statement, former Prime Minister Abe expressed "deep remorse and heartfelt apology" for Japan's actions during the war in the past tense and declared that the burden of apology would not be passed on to future generations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.