Distortion of historical issue of sex slaves coincides with constitutional revision: JCP Chair Shii

   Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo used his news conference on March 26 in Kofu City to criticize Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shimomura Hakubun for denying the existence of comfort women who were forced to serve the Imperial Army during WWII.

   On a commercial radio program broadcast on March 25, Shimomura said, “Although there were war nurses and war correspondents, there were no comfort women serving the Imperial Army. However, it is true that comfort women existed. I think it was a fact that some parents sold their daughters, but the Imperial Army was not involved in it.”

   Shii said, “Reuters news agency and Korean newspapers reported Mr. Shimomura’s remark. His remark amounts to denying the 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono Yohei that admitted the Japanese Army’s involvement and apologized for it. We must not overlook Shimomura’s remark because it conflicts with his responsibilities as a deputy chief cabinet secretary.”

   Prime Minister Abe Shinzo also repeatedly claims, “There is no evidence to support the allegation that many comfort women were recruited against their will.”

   The United States and the rest of the world are questioning Japan’s definition of human rights.

   Pointing out that the remarks that distort historical facts coincide with the ongoing moves towards constitutional revision, Shii said that whether to defend the Constitution or not will be a major issue in the coming elections.

   “Advocates of constitutional revision are attempting to have the bills on procedures for constitutional revision enacted in the current Diet session. They also distort the historical facts concerning the issue of comfort women. Pro-constitutional revision forces who refuse to reflect on Japan’s past war of aggression want to turn Japan into a country that can fight wars abroad by adversely changing Article 9 of the Constitution, thus raising deep concerns and criticism among Asian nations.”                 - Akahata, March 27, 2007