hankyoreh

forrmer Japanese Prime Minister

By Jeong Nam-ku, Tokyo correspondent

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who made the 1995 Murayama statement, an apology to the countries that were affected by Japan’s colonial rule and invasions, has criticized Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his recent remarks related to the definition of the word ‘invade’.

In a May 19 interview with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, Murayama said, “If you enter an enemy country by force, that is an invasion”. This can be taken as criticism of Abe’s remark, “the definition of invasion hasn’t been specified”.

On Apr. 22, Abe said in regard to the Murayama speech, “I will not accept it as it is. The definition of invasion isn’t set in stone”.

Abe has been criticized by not only South Korea and China for this, but also by the US. Consequently, Abe said, “I have never said that Japan has never invaded”, while also saying that he would accept the Murayama speech. But despite his change in position, he still has plans to release an ‘Abe statement’ in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. This speech will provide a new perspective on Japan’s history.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun asked Abe if he was rewording his past remarks. To this, Murayama answered, “I don’t understand Abe’s intentions in making these remarks. His first cabinet said they would accept the Murayama statement, and I think that was genuine. Due to the change in the international climate, having a new perspective is worthwhile, but denying the Murayama speech will cause not only China and Korea, but all of Asia and also the US to criticize Japan”.

Murayama added that the statement isn’t only his position but also a Japanese government policy set by the former cabinet. To reinforce this, he said they held a cabinet meeting and voted on the policy at the time.

Another article pointed out, “Prime Minister Abe is using double negatives to avoid acknowledging that Japan has indeed invaded in the past”.

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