Japan apologizes to S. Korea for colonization 100 years ago+

TOKYO, Aug. 10 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Naoto Kan apologized Tuesday to South Korea for Japan's past
colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula in the hope of building future-oriented
bilateral relations.
In a statement released ahead of the Aug. 29 centenary of Japan's annexation of
the peninsula, Kan expressed deep regret over the suffering inflicted during
Japan's control from 1910 to 1945.
Kan said the Korean people of that time were ''deprived of their country and
culture, and their ethnic pride was deeply scarred by the colonial rule which
was imposed against their will.''
''I would like to have courage to squarely confront the facts of history and
humility to accept them, as well as to honestly reflect on our own errors,''
said the statement, endorsed by his Cabinet members in the morning. ''Those who
render pain tend to forget it while those who suffered cannot forget it
easily.''
With these recognitions in mind, he said that Japan will strive to construct
''future-oriented'' ties with South Korea by thinking about the next 100 years.
Kan telephoned South Korean President Lee Myung Bak following the Cabinet
approval, explaining his reason for releasing the statement, which was timed
also to precede South Korea's celebration of its liberation from colonial rule
on Aug. 15, according to government officials.
Kan told a news conference in the afternoon that Lee gave a positive assessment
of the statement during the 20 minute-conversation, saying it showed
''cordiality.''
The expressions of apology chosen were, however, basically in line with those
of past prime ministerial statements -- one by Tomiichi Murayama in August 1995
and another by Junichiro Koizumi in August 2005.
It said that Japan again expresses its feelings of ''deep remorse'' and
''heartfelt apology'' for ''the tremendous damage and sufferings'' brought
about by its colonial rule.
Unlike the Murayama statement, which apologized to Asian victims of Japan's
aggression, the latest document was only directed at South Korea. It did not
touch on North Korea.
Kan's statement emphasized that Japan-South Korea relations are stronger than
ever, thanks to the expansion of economic, cultural and interpersonal exchanges
in recent years, and that Tokyo is determined to further deepen ties for the
sake of peace and prosperity in East Asia.
Kan said that Japan will in the near future transfer precious cultural
artifacts originating from the peninsula whose return South Korea has been
demanding.
These include some royal records of the Joseon Dynasty, called the Joseon
Wangsil Uigwe, being kept by the Japanese government.
Kan also promised that Japan will continue its ongoing humanitarian cooperation
with South Korea, including efforts to recover the remains of those from the
peninsula who died during the occupation and support war-displaced Koreans left
behind in Sakhalin.
With the statement, Kan is hoping to put historical issues behind the two
countries and focus on ways to enhance future ties with Lee's government in
addressing bilateral and regional issues, including those related to North
Korea's nuclear ambitions and its abduction of foreign nationals.
However, there was some opposition to releasing the statement from some
lawmakers, even within Kan's Democratic Party of Japan, saying it could prompt
renewed compensation claims for the country's colonial rule in Asian countries.
Kan said at the news conference, ''Legal matters have already been completely
settled'' between Japan and South Korea based on a basic treaty signed in 1965,
in which Japan and South Korea both gave up the right to demand compensation
and normalized diplomatic relations.
As Japan maintains its position that the treaty is valid, Kan said he wrote
''transfer'' instead of ''return'' in the statement when he promised the
handover of the artifacts to South Korea.
In an attempt to ward off criticism in Japan that this kind of statement
signifies a diplomatic policy of repeatedly offering apologies, the government
decided not to release the latest one exactly on Aug. 15 or Aug. 29, according
to sources familiar with the matter.
==Kyodo
2010-08-10 20:38:21


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