Japan panel submits report ahead of Abe’s WWII statement

Their report, meant to serve as reference for Abe’s statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war, covered over 100 years of history in 38 pages.

The nationalist premier – who has been criticised by some for playing down Japan’s wartime record and trying to expand the role of the military – said last week he would express “remorse” over the war.

As concern surges that Abe may not say “the right things” in his 70th anniversary statement, the Kitaoka Commission’s report stands as a powerful narrative that reflects the consensus of the majority (if a silent one) of Japanese-something which Abe knows he will have to respect.

The report said that since the Manchurian Incident in 1931, Japan “expanded its aggression against the continent, … lost sight of the global trends, and caused much harm to various countries, largely in Asia, through a reckless war”.

In the 1995 statement, signed by Murayama and approved by his entire Cabinet, Japan offered its clearest and most extensive apology to the war victims.

This fluid situation presents important challenges for the United States and its relationship with Japan.

NHK said a draft of Abe’s statement would refer specifically to the Murayama Statement’s key phrases “apology, ‘ ‘deep remorse, ‘ ‘aggression” and ‘colonial rule, ‘ but the broadcaster did not elaborate on the phrasing.

Concerning the stipulation of the word “aggression” in the report, Shinichi Kitaoka, deputy chairman of the panel, said at the press conference: “I never thought of changing the body text”. Abe has repeatedly talked of the need for what he calls a “forward-looking attitude” that concentrates on the positive role Japan has played in Asia since its surrender in 1945.

“The reports demonstrate the depth of US surveillance of the Japanese government, indicating that intelligence was gathered and processed from numerous Japanese government ministries and offices”, it said.

NHK, Japan’s national broadcasting organization, reported Monday that Abe plans to include such expressions as “apology” and “aggression” in the draft statement, upholding the position of previous governments on Japan’s conduct during the war.

“It is inaccurate to claim that Japan fought to liberate Asia as a matter of national policy”, it said, calling for “reconciliation” with China and Korea.

The allegations come at a time when 12 countries, including Japan and the US, are negotiating the creation of a vast free trade zone, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. On Japanese-South Korean relations, the report says that it is essential for Japan to approach South Korea with reason and heart to achieve reconciliation but that Seoul has “moved the goalpost” in the history issue in recent years.

Kitaoka said the report is to provide analysis of Japanese history and not to tell Abe what to do.

In a report issued Thursday, a panel commissioned by Abe to advise him on the statement acknowledged Japan’s “aggression” and “colonial rule” but avoided the issue of the necessity of an apology.

“It’s safe to say the panel will not dictate the content of Abe’s statement”, said Jeff Kingston, professor of Asian studies at Temple University’s Japan campus.