▲ Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has once again stated that she is inheriting the historical perceptions of successive cabinets, including the Murayama Statement, which contains remorse and apologies for past colonial rule.
During a session of the House of Councillors (upper house) Budget Committee yesterday (October 16), Prime Minister Takaichi responded to related questions by saying, "I have stated that the positions of successive cabinets regarding historical perceptions will not waver moving forward," adding, "The Murayama Statement is naturally included."
In 1995, when she was a freshman lawmaker, Takaichi stated at a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, "At least I myself am of a generation that cannot be said to be a party to [the war], so I am feel no remorse, nor is there any reason for me to be asked to feel remorse."
Regarding the Murayama Statement, she had also criticized it, saying things such as, "If this reckless view is left as it is, it will shackle our descendants as citizens of a 'criminal state'" and "It is difficult to accept the inclusion of the phrase 'aggression.'"
The Murayama Statement was issued in 1995 by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In the statement, he expressed remorse and apologies, stating that Japan had "caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of Asia."
When lawmaker Tsujimoto brought up her past remarks and asked whether her views had changed, Prime Minister Takaichi replied, "I am growing every day," and added, "Like the Abe Statement on the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, I believe we must not place responsibility on future generations."
Following her inauguration, Prime Minister Takaichi also officially stated on November 7 of last year that she inherits the positions of successive cabinets regarding historical perceptions concerning the Murayama Statement.
This is interpreted as a shift in attitude after taking office as prime minister, as she has become mindful of diplomatic fallout and international perspectives, having previously shown a hard-line right-wing tendency and criticized the Murayama Statement.
Similarly, since taking office as prime minister, she has refrained from visiting Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Class A war criminals from the Pacific War.
Until becoming leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in October of last year, Prime Minister Takaichi visited the Yasukuni Shrine during the spring and autumn grand festivals and on August 15, which marks South Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's surrender in World War II.
However, after taking office as LDP leader in October of last year, she did not visit the shrine during that month's autumn grand festival nor during the spring grand festival this year following her inauguration as prime minister.
Prime Minister Takaichi offered a ritual tree offering known as a "masakaki" under the name "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi" for the three-day autumn grand festival at the Yasukuni Shrine that began on this day.
Citing sources close to the prime minister, Kyodo News reported that Prime Minister Takaichi plans to withhold visiting the Yasukuni Shrine in person during the three-day autumn grand festival running through October 19.
Kyodo interpreted this as an effort to avoid diplomatic issues with South Korea, China, and other countries that could arise from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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