Insisting on Personal Statement

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly decided not to deliver 70^th anniversary statement from the end of war this summer in a manner of cabinet decision. He seemed to have realized that sincere apology to Asian nations and his personal view to history would not be resonant. It will be a symbolic political compromise for Abe, who have been unilateral to achieve conservative agenda.

Murayama Statement in 1995 for 50^thanniversary and Koizumi Statement in 2005 for 60^th anniversary were delivered as cabinet decisions. Abe has been willing to issue his statement this year as his original version, which was supposed to be with a unique point of view on history. He wanted to delete “sincere apology” or other negative expressions for apology in former statements. But, his attitude to history was criticized not only by Asian nations including the Chinese or Koreans, but United States. Abe’s historical views were something the winners could not accept.

Coalition partner of Abe administration, Komeito, has been careful on what kind of statement Abe would launch. Although Abe has been saying that he would succeed former statements “as a whole,” Komeito was skeptical on Abe’s maneuver, which might be stimulating the negative sentiment in China and South Korea. It is likely that Abe refrained from bothering coalition structure by avoiding official statement.

But, it is sure that China or South Korea will criticize Abe, if he delivers personal opinion on past history of relation with Asian nations, even it is going to be in an unofficial style. Although he likes to separate his personal position from status of Prime Minister, it is only viable inside Japan, where he still has relatively high popularity. That concept cannot be accepted by international relations.

So, what is the meaning of Prime Minister’s statement? Is it a message to neighbor nations, or an opportunity for him to open his personal opinion? This Prime Minister is such a little boy who does not distinguish private conviction from his public status.

Former Prime Minister, Tomi-ichi Murayama, criticized Abe’s attitude to the statement, saying “Considering current situation, he had better to deliver with cabinet decision.” Murayama accused Abe of making things complicated and unilateral decision not to make it in official manner.

China and South Korea are closely watching not on the style of the statement, but on the substitute. “How Japanese political leader are taking action on historical issue are closely watched by Asian people. He needs to reflect Japan’s history and achieve credibility through actions,” told a spokesman with Chinese Foreign Ministry. Abe’s personal statement may harm a momentum for improvement of diplomatic relation with China or South Korea.