Two former leaders say Abe should 'honestly spell out' Japan's wartime actions

Two former political leaders who apologised over Japan’s second world war atrocities said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should not water down their words when he marks the 70th anniversary of the war’s end.

Japanese leaders’ war anniversary statements have always been closely watched, and this year’s is getting extra attention because it’s a key anniversary and Abe is considered a revisionist.

Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who authored Japan’s landmark 1995 apology on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, said Abe should “honestly spell out” the country’s wartime actions to address growing international concern that he may revise history.

Yohei Kono, who as chief Cabinet secretary in 1993 apologised to victims of Japan’s wartime military sexual exploitation, said he wondered whether a new statement by Abe is even necessary. He said a statement to mark the 70th anniversary, if issued, should not backpedal from any of the apologies that Abe promised to inherit from nearly a dozen past leaders.

“The international community is watching what (Abe) is really thinking,” Murayama told reporters during a rare joint appearance with Kono at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.

“It is important to clear any doubts that he has raised overseas,” Murayama said.

The historic statements by both men were highly regarded internationally as signs Japan had come to terms with its wartime past and they improved relations with its Asian neighbours. However, both statements have become unpopular among Japanese conservatives who say Japan should stop focusing on negative history to restore national pride.