In an interview with Newsweek prior to his departure for a visit to Washington April 26-27, Abe said Tokyo feels “responsible” for forcing women to work in brothels during the war. Meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush before going to the Middle East will be Abe’s first formal talks with Bush.

Abe has come under fire at home and abroad for stating in early March that there is no proof that Japan’s Imperial government or military coerced women into brothels during the war, apparently backtracking on a 1993 official apology.

Abe’s denial has strained ties with Beijing, Seoul and Washington (but not Taipei). U.S. Congressman Michael Honda has introduced a resolution calling for Japan to make an unambiguous apology to the sex slaves.

“We feel responsible for having forced these women to go through that hardship and pain as comfort women under the circumstances at the time,” Abe said.

In a 20-minute phone talk with Bush last Tuesday, Abe said he stands by his government’s landmark 1993 apology. He said he broached the subject to clarify any misunderstandings.

“Since my remarks on the so-called comfort women issue have not been accurately reported, I expressed my true intention to President Bush just to clarify.”

Bush told Abe he appreciated his candor and noted “Japan today is not the Japan of World War II.”

After being in office seven months, Abe has succeeded in reintroducing patriotism in Japan’s high school textbooks and elevating the Department of Self-Defense Forces to a full Ministry. Removing war-renouncing articles from Japan’s Constitution is his pronounced ultimate goal. Where is Abe’s Japan heading?

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email