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| Shinzo Abe stops short of new apology in second world war anniversary speech | Shinzo Abe stops short of new apology in second world war anniversary speech |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has expressed “deepest remorse” and “eternal, sincere condolences” to Japan’s wartime victims, but risked angering the country’s neighbours by stopping short of issuing a fresh apology and by saying that future generations should not be “predestined” to apologise themselves. | Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has expressed “deepest remorse” and “eternal, sincere condolences” to Japan’s wartime victims, but risked angering the country’s neighbours by stopping short of issuing a fresh apology and by saying that future generations should not be “predestined” to apologise themselves. |
| In a televised address a day before Japan marks 70 years since its defeat on 15 August 1945, Abe expressed “profound grief” for all who died in the second world war. | In a televised address a day before Japan marks 70 years since its defeat on 15 August 1945, Abe expressed “profound grief” for all who died in the second world war. |
| History is harsh. What is done cannot be undone | History is harsh. What is done cannot be undone |
| Abe, a conservative who had hinted he would not repeat previous official apologies, said that Japan had “repeatedly expressed the feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war”. | Abe, a conservative who had hinted he would not repeat previous official apologies, said that Japan had “repeatedly expressed the feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war”. |
| “In order to manifest such feelings through concrete actions,” he said, “we have engraved in our hearts the histories of suffering of the people in Asia as our neighbours.” | “In order to manifest such feelings through concrete actions,” he said, “we have engraved in our hearts the histories of suffering of the people in Asia as our neighbours.” |
| But he added: “We must not let our children, grandchildren, and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with the war, be predestined to apologise. Even so, we Japanese, across generations, must squarely face history.” | |
| Abe’s departure from the landmark 1995 statement by the then prime minister, Tomiichi Murayama, in which he issued a “heartfelt apology” for Japan’s “aggression” and “colonial rule” on the Asian mainland, is expected to elicit criticism from China and South Korea. | Abe’s departure from the landmark 1995 statement by the then prime minister, Tomiichi Murayama, in which he issued a “heartfelt apology” for Japan’s “aggression” and “colonial rule” on the Asian mainland, is expected to elicit criticism from China and South Korea. |
| As former victims of Japanese militarism in the first half of the 20th century, both countries had made clear that they expected Abe to repeat the key phrases in the Murayama statement, or issue a similarly unequivocal apology of his own. | As former victims of Japanese militarism in the first half of the 20th century, both countries had made clear that they expected Abe to repeat the key phrases in the Murayama statement, or issue a similarly unequivocal apology of his own. |
| Related: Japan revisits its darkest moments where American POWs became human experiments | Related: Japan revisits its darkest moments where American POWs became human experiments |
| Abe did, however, refer to Japan’s past “aggression”, promising that the country would “never again resort to any form of the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes”, according to the official English translation of his statement. | Abe did, however, refer to Japan’s past “aggression”, promising that the country would “never again resort to any form of the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes”, according to the official English translation of his statement. |
| “We shall abandon colonial rule for ever and respect the right of self-determination of all peoples throughout the world,” he said. | “We shall abandon colonial rule for ever and respect the right of self-determination of all peoples throughout the world,” he said. |
| He added: “Our country inflicted immeasurable damage on innocent people. History is harsh. What is done cannot be undone. Each and every one of them had his or her life, dreams, and beloved family. When I contemplate this obvious fact, even now, I find myself speechless and my heart is rent with the utmost grief.” | He added: “Our country inflicted immeasurable damage on innocent people. History is harsh. What is done cannot be undone. Each and every one of them had his or her life, dreams, and beloved family. When I contemplate this obvious fact, even now, I find myself speechless and my heart is rent with the utmost grief.” |
| He acknowledged that “numerous innocent citizens” in countries that fought against Japan had suffered hardship. In a brief reference to Japan’s use of tens of thousands of young Asian women as sex slaves – the so-called comfort women – he said: “We must never forget that there were women behind the battlefields whose honour and dignity were severely injured.” | He acknowledged that “numerous innocent citizens” in countries that fought against Japan had suffered hardship. In a brief reference to Japan’s use of tens of thousands of young Asian women as sex slaves – the so-called comfort women – he said: “We must never forget that there were women behind the battlefields whose honour and dignity were severely injured.” |
| His failure to acknowledge that Japanese military authorities coerced the women into working in frontline brothels – a claim he has consistently denied – is expected to provoke anger in South Korea, where most of the women were from. | His failure to acknowledge that Japanese military authorities coerced the women into working in frontline brothels – a claim he has consistently denied – is expected to provoke anger in South Korea, where most of the women were from. |
| Abe had promised a “forward-looking” speech that would highlight Japan’s peaceful contributions to the international community in the seven decades since the end of the war. | Abe had promised a “forward-looking” speech that would highlight Japan’s peaceful contributions to the international community in the seven decades since the end of the war. |
| Related: Nagasaki nuclear bombing remembered with calls for Japan to stay pacifist | Related: Nagasaki nuclear bombing remembered with calls for Japan to stay pacifist |
| He said Japan had, with the help of nations such as the US and Britain, transformed itself into a free and democratic country that abided by the rule of law. | He said Japan had, with the help of nations such as the US and Britain, transformed itself into a free and democratic country that abided by the rule of law. |
| “While taking silent pride in the path we have walked as a peace-loving nation for as long as 70 years, we remain determined never to deviate from this steadfast course,” he said. | “While taking silent pride in the path we have walked as a peace-loving nation for as long as 70 years, we remain determined never to deviate from this steadfast course,” he said. |
| In a remark apparently directed at critics of his attempts to give Japanese troops a wider international role, Abe later told reporters: “I want to do everything I can to prevent conflict and protect Japan.” | In a remark apparently directed at critics of his attempts to give Japanese troops a wider international role, Abe later told reporters: “I want to do everything I can to prevent conflict and protect Japan.” |
| There was no immediate response from officials in Beijing and Seoul. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency noted, though, that Abe’s statement did not include a fresh apology or make specific reference to Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. | There was no immediate response from officials in Beijing and Seoul. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency noted, though, that Abe’s statement did not include a fresh apology or make specific reference to Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. |