Posted on 04/21/2005 11:00:57 PM PDT by HAL9000
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday expressed "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for Japan's wartime wrongdoings, in a gesture believed to be aimed at mending ties with its Asian neighbors that have soured due to historical issues surrounding Japan's war in Asia and its occupation of Korea.In a speech delivered to a meeting of Asian and African leaders held in the Indonesian capital, Koizumi also made a pitch for reforms of the U.N. Security Council and underscored Tokyo's qualifications as a potential permanent member of the U.N. decision-making body.
"In the past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations," Koizumi said.
"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility," he said.
"With feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology always engraved in mind, Japan has resolutely maintained...its principle of resolving all matters by peaceful means, without recourse to use of force," he said.
While the comments are in line with Japan's past statements about its view of history, it was the first time in over a decade for a Japanese prime minister to state them in a speech at an international gathering.
The last time a prime minister made such a move was in 1991, when then Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu expressed remorse for Japan's militarist past in a speech in Singapore.
The move was widely believed to be an overture by Koizumi for improving relations with China and South Korea, which have turned chilly recently due to differences over Tokyo's treatment of history.
The two countries in particular have complained about Japan's approval of a revised version of a controversial textbook, which critics say glosses over atrocities Japan committed in the past.
Beijing and Seoul are also bothered by Koizumi's visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors Class-A war criminals along with Japan's war dead.
In Friday's speech, Koizumi also pushed for a reform of the U.N. Security Council, saying changes must be made for the council to function in step with today's needs of the world.
"The United Nations should continue to serve in the centermost role in international cooperation," Koizumi said.
"Yet, in order for it to respond effectively to the various challenges that the world now faces, the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, needs to be reformed, so that the organization reflects the realities of the today's world," he said.
Japan is campaigning hard for swift reforms in the Security Council, which it wants to join as a permanent member.
But uncertainty hangs over the outlook. The United States and China -- two major countries with veto power -- are sounding a negative tone toward a proposal by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to decide on the expansion of the council by September.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States are the five permanent Security Council members. There are also 10 temporary members elected on a rotational basis every two years.
In the speech, Koizumi also emphasized Tokyo's past contributions to global development and repeated its commitment to do more, in a move believed to be aimed at underscoring its qualifications as a potential candidate for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
"Japan will continue its efforts toward the goal of providing official development assistance of 0.7 percent of our gross national income," he said. "Japan will ensure a credible and sufficient level of ODA."
The premier also said that Japan is prepared to do more for Africa. He said Tokyo will double its ODA over the next three years, most of which will be grant aid.
He also said that Japan will host an international conference on African development, which has been held in Tokyo three times, again in 2008.
For Japan, obtaining support from African countries, which account for a quarter of the number of U.N. member states, is crucial for its bid to win a seat on the Security Council.
Koizumi also said that Japan will be providing more than $2.5 billion over the next five years to assist disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as reconstruction measures not only in Asia and Africa but also in other regions as well.
Full text of Koizumi's speech at Asian-African Summit
The following is the full text of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's speech at the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta.
Honorable Chairs,
Distinguished participants,
It is a distinct pleasure to attend this historic meeting, at which the countries of Asia and Africa have gathered together for the first time in fifty years. I extend my deepest appreciation to the honorable co-chairs from Indonesia, our kind host for this gathering, and South Africa. I have come to this meeting to do two things. One is to look back upon the road we have traveled together, realizing anew once again the strong ties that have connected us during these last fifty years. I have come to this meeting also to participate in frank exchanges of views about what the countries of Asia and Africa must do to enhance the peace and the prosperity of people around the globe in the 21st century.
Fifty years ago, Japan stood before the Asian and African nations assembled at Bandung to declare its determination to develop itself as a peaceful nation. That spirit of fifty years ago remains steadfast to this day. In the past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility. And with feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology always engraved in mind, Japan has resolutely maintained, consistently since the end of World War II, never turning into a military power but an economic power, its principle of resolving all matters by peaceful means, without recourse to use of force. Japan once again states its resolve to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world in the future as well, prizing the relationship of trust it enjoys with the nations of the world.
Honorable Chairs,
The development of Japan over these last fifty years has come about as the result of the untiring efforts of the Japanese people. Yet we were first able to realize development through the assistance extended to us by the international community. Japan will not forget this fact. The Japanese people rose from devastation after Word War II. I, as a representative of that generation, hope to walk together with the people of Asia and Africa, who are striving to improve their lives by the sweat of their brows.
Based on this thinking, Japan has been extending its development assistance to the Asian and African regions with emphasis on human resource development, infrastructure building, and health and sanitation measures, including issues of safe water and infectious diseases. Japan has also been making efforts to improve trade/investment environment.
Today, I would like to focus on three points as to what we should do together hand in hand from now on: first, economic development, second, peace-building, and third, promotion of international cooperation.
First, Japan places great emphasis on the strengthening of partnerships in the areas of poverty reduction and development. To achieve nation-building, the most critical thing is each nation's determination to bring about development through its own will and its own efforts. Japan respects and supports such efforts. With a view to continuing our efforts, Japan will continue its efforts towards the goal of providing official development assistance (ODA) of 0.7% of our gross national income in order to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals. From this point of view, Japan will ensure a credible and sufficient level of ODA. In addition, Japan will be seeking concrete actions to further expand market access to products from the least developed countries in order to support their self-reliance.
Asia has made great strides forward over these past fifty years. Yet a number of important challenges remain, including redressing of disparities in levels of development, promotion of economic partnerships, implementation of disaster prevention and mitigation measures based on the recent experience of the large-scale earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the resulting tsunami, and strengthening of anti-piracy measures. Japan intends to formulate concrete policies and create new partnerships in Asia. We will be providing more than 2.5 billion U.S. dollars over the next five years in assistance for disaster prevention and mitigation, and reconstruction measures in Asia, Africa and other regions.
This year is the "Year of Africa." Japan, along with Africa, has advanced cooperation towards Africa, based on solidarity between the international community, through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that Japan will hold TICAD IV in 2008, and that in the three years to come Japan will double its ODA to Africa, with grant aid continuing to be its central feature.
Moving on now to the theme of strengthening of cooperation between Asia and Africa, the one most fitting for this gathering, Japan proposes creating an Asia-Africa Young Volunteers program, by which Asian young adults would meet, interact with, and promote human resource development among the youth of Africa. Furthermore, Japan, through public and private sectors, will provide assistance in applying to Africa the knowledge garnered through Asia's movement towards higher productivity. I am pleased to announce that, through such efforts, Japan will foster human resources in ten thousand Africans over the next four years.
Second, Japan considers the peace-building to be of great importance. It is, indeed, peace and security that constitute the requisite basis for economic development. Japan has been working hard towards the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the prevention of terrorism. Japan has also been making efforts towards the peace-building such as in Cambodia, East Timor, and Afghanistan. Japan will be actively providing assistance to the Palestinians for the promotion of peace in the Middle East, and to Africa, which is demonstrating dynamic movement towards peace. We should all play an active role in preventing disorderly trade in weapons, as well as in disseminating universal values such as the rule of law, freedom, and democracy.
Third, as the globalized world pursues a new international order, Japan will promote still further international cooperation, enhancing its solidarity with Asia and Africa. The United Nations should continue to serve in the centermost role in international cooperation. Yet, in order for it to respond effectively to the various challenges that the world now faces, the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, needs to be reformed, so that the organization reflects the realities of the today's world. Japan will cooperate to the fullest to take a decision on the reform of the Security Council before September, as proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
As we fortify the partnership between Asia and Africa, it will be critical to share our experiences and our knowledge through dialogues between civilizations, between cultures, and between individuals. Japan will host the World Civilization Forum in July, to share the experiences of the countries to preserve tradition while moving to modernization.
Honorable Chairs,
Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an African woman, Professor Wangari Maathai, Assistant Minister for the Environment of Kenya. This great honor reflects recognition of her contributions to sustainable development though the planting of trees. Professor Maathai was present at the opening ceremony of the 2005 World Exposition Aichi in Japan, whose theme is "Nature's Wisdom." Citing the Japanese notion of mottai nai, Professor Maathai emphasized the importance of the efficient use of resources and environmental conservation. Using things with care, using them to the full, and reusing things whenever possible -- these are the heart and soul of these words mottai nai, which Professor Maathia understood completely. Asia and Africa are blessed with a richness of nature that yields enormous potential. I believe that through the progress of science and technology, it is possible to create a vibrant and dynamic society in which environmental conservation and development are both achieved. In conclusion, I would like to state Japan's resolute determination to spare no effort to create just such a society.
I thank you for your kind attention.
This is very smart. Besides being right and overdue, it disarms the Chinese.
They can't use it as a sheild to distract chinese from the problems of China, or a sword of righteousness to lash out at Japan.
Let's hope they are a little better with the facts in the textbooks.
I vote for handing over the French seat to the Japanese at the Security Council.
Who publishes those books? Is it the Japan gummint or is it private publishers in Japan who hope to sell to various schools? If it's private, China should shut its yap until its own books are private too.
It's always good to hear, but it'll never be enough for Japan's neighbors who'll now continue yelling for changes in school text books, then it'll be museums erected/dedicated to Imperial Japan's aggressions (transgressions), Yasukuni to be razed, and most of all: compensation! Same old story...
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
China and Japan have to use some good diplomacy to end the stand-off
We are seeing very Oriental-style "giving-face" from both parties to each other
OK, well done, both sides, everybody's honor is intact ,this round
Overdue? They've done this many times before. The Chinese are just kicking up nationalism a notch to distract from some very pissed people at home. All is not well in the Middle Kingdom.
They should have put (again) at the end of their title...
Besides anything, this is about the 10th time there was an official apology... it gets them no where. So why apologise anymore? After 9 or 10 times of getting apologies the Chinese can stick it. They simply choose to remain angry even though there was and have been apologies over and over again....
Mark my words.... this apology will mean nothing to disarm China.
Hey,BUT WE are playing diplomatic POKER here
What do you expect when the great powers play POKER
You call my bluff and I call your bluff
As William Shakespear had said, "All the World's a stage, and all of us (Japan and China included) are mere ( POKER )players...."
No, well the same arguments apply to a number of other nations such as the Koreas, Singapore, etc.
Fact of the matter is that this speech didn't go far enough. The Japanese government still refuses compensation to the surviving woman who were'comfort women' for the IJA and they won't compensate the durvivors and familes who suffered at the hands of Unit 731.
I like the Japanese and I like their culture, but if I'd sugffered this way at their hands I'd insist on a decent apology especially while their textbooks are so dodgy.
Germany got over a viler past. Japan can learn from them
Talk is cheap. Let's see some action. Real action.
The fact of the matter is, nothing, even a kowtow and billion dollars for each of them will go far enough. Nothing will satisfy that appetite of hatred against "Japan"....They will never be satisfied. Period. Thats the fact of the matter.
Japan has apologized by being a peaceful neighbor in Asia for over 60 years. Talk is cheap, look at their actions. I have no problems modern-day Japan. Meanwhile the ChiComs rattle their swords on a daily basis.
" Who publishes those books? Is it the Japan gummint or is it private publishers in Japan who hope to sell to various schools "
In Japan, each public and private school selects one history textbook from a list of seven or eight authorized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho) every four years. This screening process then lasts one full year. Japanese textbook companies submit manuscripts to the Ministry of Education, whose appointed committees examine them according to prescribed criteria. The Ministry offers the textbook companies opportunities to revise their drafts, and copies of the Ministry-approved manuscripts are then available for consideration by the local districts.
And China's seat to Taiwan.
I agree. China is just whipping up some nationalism to save face from China's government's own wrongdoings.
China can go pound sand.
Japan could do well with an apologoy which wasn't couched in legalese or expressing regret but instead contained the frank admissions that "We were wrong. Our invasions were unjustified and unprovoked. The actions of Unit 731 in their experimentation on captured soldiers and the civilian population were evil and they should have been hung for crimes against humanity. Japan unreservedly apologises for their invasions of Korea, China, and the long list of victims, plus for any such infractions ocommitted in those countries..." Once I see a hlafway decent apology to ALL Their victims, I'll relax on Japan. Germany did it with a greater shame on their hands so Japan can stop getting embarassed about it and face up and accept their responsibilities.
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