Tokyo should shun the double standards exhibited in the settlement of the issue of sex slavery during WWII and show more sincerity and take more actions in the handling of Japan's other wartime atrocities.
Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Monday sealed an agreement on the issue of "comfort women," a euphemism for women forced to serve in Japan's military brothels during WWII. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an official apology and Tokyo promised victims an 8.3-million-U.S. dollar payment as part of an assistance fund.
The agreement is expected to improve Seoul-Tokyo relations, severely damaged by Abe's years of denial of Japan's wartime conduct.
The apology, which marked the first time that the Japanese government "officially" expresses its responsibility for the war crime, however fails to clearly stipulate Japan's "legal responsibility," which is what the victims want to hear.
It is also necessary to point out that Korean women were not the only victims of these crimes, and questions must be asked as to why Japan has singled out the ROK.
It is estimated that more than 200,000 women were forced to serve as sex slaves for Imperial Japanese troops. Apart from Korean women, victims also include the women of China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, who also deserve an apology and compensation.
While acknowledging Japan's actions, Abe on Monday told reporters in Tokyo that the agreement was based on his commitment to stop future Japanese generations from having to repeatedly apologize. ( In a bizarre parallel move, on the very day the deal was reached, Abe's wife announced on Facebook that she had visited the Yasukuni shrine, which honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from WWII: at best a misguided, heartless gesture -- at worst a flagrant display of hypocrisy and contempt.
Taking into consideration the mixed nature of signals sent out by Tokyo in recent days, as well as Abe's undeniable history of prevarication and obfuscation and habit for historical revisionism, people have good reason to remain doubtful.
Is the agreement a mere expediency or a genuine and sincere expression of regret?
Asian neighbors welcome constructive moves which could boost the regional stability and development. Meanwhile, they have also been taught by Japan's leaders in recent years to observe not only its words, but also its deeds.
