Abe must answer 3 questions to clarify his historical view: JCP Shii

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Abe must answer 3 questions to clarify his historical view: JCP Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on an NHK TV program aired on October 1 said that Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's historical view needs to be scrutinized concerning three questions.

The first is whether Abe supports the Yasukuni Shrine view of history. The shrine justifies all wars Japan has fought, including the Japanese-Sino War, the Japanese-Russo War, the war of aggression against China, and the Pacific War, calling them "just wars" fought for the "liberation of Asia" and "Japan's survival and self-defense."

Recalling that Abe had stated, "History will make the judgment," during a televised debate with him, Shii stressed that Abe cannot avoid clarifying his own historical view.

The second point regards the 1995 Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi statement that expressed "remorse" for the "colonial rule and aggression." Abe still refuses to stand by this official statement shared by successive governments.

Thirdly, Shii pointed out a statement made by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono Yohei in 1993 admitting the Japanese Army's involvement in the "comfort women" question during the war and expressing apology and remorse.

Abe has long called for modifying the statement, insisting it is groundless.

Shii stated, "By squarely facing our past mistakes today, we can make true friends in the future." He said that in his visit to South Korea in September he felt that many South Korean people, while feeling anger over Japan's colonial rule, strongly wish for friendship with Japan.

"We must not avoid discussing the issue of historical interpretation in order to establish friendly relations with other Asian countries," Shii stated.
- Akahata, October 2, 2006