Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on February 1, 2013, told lawmakers that he plans to release a new statement on World War II. There are possibilities that this move by the Prime Minister could cause unrest among Japan’s neighboring countries, including China.
Abe said, “I would like to announce a future-orientated statement that will suit the 21st century”. The prime Minister also added that he is giving it a serious thought over the timing and content. He also wanted to update a landmark statement which was issued in 1995, issued by the then Prime Minister of Japan, Tomiichi Murayama.
The statement from the earlier Prime Minister said that through Japans colonial rule and aggression, it had caused great damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly in the Asian nations. Abe agreed with the previous statement, saying that he feels deep remorse and offers heartfelt apology for the extent of Japans past violence.
Shinzo also hinted that the statement might come in the year 2015, as the Murayama statement was issued 50 years after the way and Koizumi administration issued a statement 60 years after the war took place. South Korea and China are two countries that bore the brunt of Japans misdemeanours during World War II and both consider the apology to be insufficient.
