Japan deems U.S. House resolution on comfort women “regrettable”

Posted on : 2007-08-01 15:23 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Formal condemnation of Japan’s WWII actions deals a blow to Abe and is likely to incite conservative ire

TOKYO-In response to passage of the U.S. House of Representative’s resolution condemning Japan’s sexual enslavement of women during World War II, the Japanese government expressed its disappointment, but did not announce whether it would apologize for the atrocities reportedly committed in the past century.

“Regarding this issue, I explained during my visit to the United States in April my views as well as the response the Japanese government has taken so far,” Japan’s Prime Minster Shinzo Abe was quoted by Kyodo as speaking to reporters. “The approval of the resolution was regrettable.”

“The 20th century was an era during which human rights were violated. What is important is to make the 21st century a bright one for a world where there will be no human rights violations,” he added.

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted “Resolution 121,” in which they demand Japan “formally acknowledge, apologize and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner” for coercing young women into sexual slavery.

Abe’s remarks are interpreted as his displeasure with the U.S. House’s adoption of the resolution. In March, he came under fire when he officially denied the government’s coercion of “comfort women,” saying that the Japanese authorities did not break into homes to coerce women into brothels. The term “comfort women” is a euphemism for women who were forced into military sexual slavery.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki echoed Abe’s stance. Japan’s foreign ministry also expressed its disappointment in an interview with The Hankoyreh. When asked if the Japanese government would apologize for the atrocities, a ministry official said, “We will continue to explain our government’s stance.”

Kyodo reported that the U.S. House’s adoption of the resolution deals a blow to Abe, who has been leading efforts to block it, especially after his ruling coalition suffered an historic defeat in the House of Councilors election on Sunday. It also said that the move would prompt an outcry from Japan’s conservatives.

Meanwhile, 32 civic groups advocating on behalf of comfort women visited Japan’s cabinet office, demanding its officials admit and apologize for what their ancestors did in the last century.

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