Posted on 07/31/2007 4:02:22 PM PDT by indcons
Japan today said it regretted a US congressional resolution demanding that it formally apologise for the use of tens of thousands of Asian women as sex slaves during the second world war, and insisted it had already made amends to the victims.
The US House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution calling on the Japanese government to "formally acknowledge, apologise and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner" for the sexual enslavement of as many as 200,000 "comfort women" in the 30s and 40s.
The victims, mostly from Korea, China and the Philippines, were taken from their homes and sent to an estimated 2,000 frontline brothels across Asia, according to some historians.
"The resolution is regrettable," the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, told reporters. "I explained my views and the government's response on this matter during my visit to the US in April."
Then, Mr Abe said he stood by an unofficial 1993 apology made by the then chief cabinet secretary that acknowledged the military had coerced the women.
Previously, however, he had claimed there was no evidence of coercion and aligned himself with nationalist Japanese MPs who insist the women were procured by private contractors.
The resolution, proposed by the California Democrat Mike Honda, had threatened to damage relations between Japan and its closest military ally.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
How is this the US Congress’ business?
I was wondering the same thing. I think it’s a terrible thing to have happened, but it’s our business to demand an apology....why????
Gee. This will make us more popular. And when our Japanese ally turns against us, of course, it will be Bush’s fault.
Once again the democrats feel the necessity to harass, embarass and insult our friends and allies. How about passing a non-binding resolution against our enemies in Venezula and Iran, Pelosi and Reid? Oh I forgot, they are allies of yours!
Just fine tuning my tagline.
This happened over 60 years ago, and Japan has already apologised on numerous occasions.
What this is is a Democratic Congress trying to sour relations with a steadfast ally of a Republican administration.
Exactly. If they had used Americans as “comfort women” I would understand.
If anything, let the Koreans and Chinese demand the apologies.
How about China Korea and everyone else get this ‘apology’ from the Japanese? WTF business is it of the UNITED STATES Congress to stick up for these people?
It’s nothing more than racial pandering by the race-obsessed Democrats. Trust me, if there weren’t Asians in this guy’s district, this wouldn’t have happened.
Why is the US Congress inserting itself into this issue?
It is the business of the democrats to demand apologies from everyone except themselves.
I have just unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Bill Clinton to apologize for using White House interns as “comfort women”, and to apologize for raping Juanita Broaddrick.
Goes anyone know the vote count and voted for this useless resolution designed to embaress Our Ally sixty years later!
Bugeyes strikes AGAIN!
Millions of white middle-class men forced to work 5 days a week to support their families until many of them dropped dead from coronary heart disease.
I have the feeling this has more to do with pleasing China than combating President Bush. Keep an eye on China this election cycle!
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