April,24,2015

Regarding Prime Minister Abe’s Speech at the Bandung Summit (HRP Statement)

April 22^nd, 2015

Happiness Realization Party

  Today, Prime Minister Abe gave a speech at the 60^th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (Bandung Conference) and stated the progress of post-war Japan as a peaceful nation and its contribution towards peace and prosperity of the Asian and African nations. The speech gathered attention nationally and internationally as a foundation for this summer’s upcoming statement to mark the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II. HRP welcomes the fact that Mr. Abe did not use the phrases “colonial rule and invasion” or “sincere apology” in his statement, as a symbol of Japan’s new position.

On the other hand, we regard his mentioning of “deep remorse” in his statement as a lack of progress in reviewing historical awareness. This year, which is the 70^th year from the end of WWII, Japan’s surrounding nations are strengthening its accusation toward Japan regarding this historical awareness, based on the determination of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trials) that “Japan Invaded Asia”.  However, this Tribunal in which the allies of WWII convicted Japan one-sidedly is an unfair trial. We believe that the correct way of viewing history of the said war is that “our nation fought this war in an attempt for self- defense and to release the colored race from Western colonial oppression and defeat racism that stemmed from white supremacy.”

We request that Prime Minister Abe revoke the Kono and Murayama Statements that are based on mistaken historical views and clarify Japan’s position based on correct historical views in a new statement. In this 70^th year from the end of WWII, it is important that our nation’s dignity in regards to this historical view is recovered, and be reborn in to a nation that fulfills a more positive role in realizing peace and prosperity in the international society.