LDP lawmaker Shoji Nishida refuses to retract remarks over WWII exhibits
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shoji Nishida has refused to withdraw remarks he made over exhibits about the "Himeyuri" nursing corps who died in the fierce Battle of Okinawa in the final phase of World War II.
At a symposium held in the city of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday, Nishida said that descriptions at a monument to commemorate the Himeyuri corps of female students had rewritten history, according to informed sources.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, Nishida said that while he had no intention of hurting the feelings of the people of Okinawa, he refused to retract the remarks in question.
In a speech during the symposium, Nishida said that he was not familiar with the current exhibits at the monument, but he said the "descriptions seem to suggest that Japanese soldiers stormed into (Okinawa), leading the Himeyuri corps to die."
"Then the U.S. troops came to set Okinawa free," he said of the descriptions.
Nishida said such stories were widely shared in Okinawa, and noted how history education, including the interpretation of the ground battle, is quite disorderly. But he did not provide any specific evidence.
While acknowledging that he made the remarks in question, Nishida on Wednesday told reporters that they were based on his impressions from a visit he made more than 10 years ago.
"It is very regrettable," he said, adding, "I'm telling the truth and I have nothing to retract."
His remarks came under fire from both within the LDP and outside the party.
Hajime Zaha, secretary-general of the LDP's Okinawa chapter, told reporters that he had no choice but to protest.
The remarks are "extremely inappropriate," Junya Ogawa, secretary-general of the leading opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said at a news conference.
The Himeyuri monument is inscribed with the names of 227 students and teachers mobilized for the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
11 minutes ago
- Japan Times
Two Chinese aircraft carriers conduct simultaneous drills in Pacific for first time
China's two operating aircraft carriers have been spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, according to Japan's Defense Ministry, as Beijing continues to highlight its growing military prowess ever farther from its shores. The ministry said late Monday that the Shandong had been spotted along with four other Chinese warships in Japan's exclusive economic zone about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture on Saturday. The fleet was then spotted Monday in the EEZ north of Okinotorishima, Japan's southernmost island, where it conducted flight operations with fighter jets and helicopters. The other aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, had been spotted operating off Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island, on Saturday and Sunday, making it the first Chinese aircraft carrier to cross the so-called second island chain, which covers a stretch of islands from Japan to Guam and the islands of Micronesia, the Defense Ministry said. 'They are trying to enhance the operational capabilities in far territories,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Monday when asked about the move. Beijing said that the Chinese vessels' activities were fully consistent with international law and international practices. "China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Monday. Officials say the moves highlight the Chinese Navy's growing ability to punch through the second island chain. China's Shandong aircraft carrier is seen in the Pacific Ocean. The Defense Ministry in Tokyo said late Monday that the vessel had been spotted in Japan's exclusive economic zone north of Okinotorishima, where it conducted flight operations with fighter jets and helicopters. | JAPAN JOINT STAFF OFFICE China routinely sends its vessels through the first island chain, which strings together the southern Ryukyu Islands and the Philippines. The island chain is home to numerous U.S. and Japanese military bases. Both island chains are seen by Beijing as Cold War relics being used to contain China and limit its access to the Pacific. Late last month, the Defense Ministry in Tokyo announced for the first time that China had sent the Liaoning into the East China Sea, some 200 km from the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, for practice deploying fighter jets. The Senkakus are also claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu. In another first, the Liaoning passed through a narrow waterway between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in Okinawa Prefecture last September. Though that sailing was legal under international law, the Japanese government called it 'unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region.' Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island, sits just 110 km east of flash point Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as a renegade province that must be united with the mainland, by force if necessary. It routinely sends warships and warplanes around the island for large-scale military drills that the Defense Ministry in Tokyo says have 'demonstrated at least part of Beijing's invasion strategy.' Beijing has poured funds into its aircraft carrier program, with its third and most advanced aircraft carrier, known as the Fujian, set for commissioning in the near future. The carrier began sea trials in May 2024 and embarked on an eighth round of trials last month. Beijing has characterized the Fujian as 'one of the most important' pieces of military hardware it is working on — and one that will take it closer to its goal of projecting its military far beyond its shores as leader Xi Jinping aims to build a 'world-class military' by the middle of the century.
NHK
5 hours ago
- NHK
Two Chinese aircraft carriers simultaneously spotted in Pacific for 1st time
Japan's Defense Ministry says two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted in the Pacific during the past three days. The ministry says it was the first time the two vessels have entered the Pacific simultaneously. The Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that a fleet of five warships was navigating about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyakojima Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Saturday afternoon, according to the ministry. The fleet included the Shandong aircraft carrier and a guided missile destroyer. Officials said fighter jets and helicopters were seen taking off and landing on the Shandong on Monday when it was in Japan's exclusive economic zone north of Okinotorishima, the nation's southernmost island. Another Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was spotted sailing within Japan's EEZ around Minamitorishima Island, which is part of Tokyo's Ogasawara Islands, on Saturday. Officials said the Liaoning was still in nearby waters on Monday, after it conducted aircraft takeoff and landing drills the day before. The Liaoning and the Shandong are China's only two active aircraft carriers. The ministry suspects that China's navy is trying to improve the operational capabilities of the warships, including long-range functions. Officials have continued caution and surveillance of the situation.
Japan Today
6 hours ago
- Japan Today
Ishiba, Lee agree to build stable ties between Japan, S Korea
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed Monday to build stable bilateral ties amid a severe strategic environment, with both expressing hope to meet in person at an early date. In their first telephone conversation since Lee took office last week, Ishiba and the South Korean leader also confirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation with their shared ally, the United States, the Japanese government said. Japan and South Korea see each other as partners who can tackle global challenges, as the Asian neighbors have seen a thaw in ties long marred by issues linked to wartime history and territory, the two governments said. During the roughly 25-minute conversation, Ishiba was quoted by the government as telling Lee he wants to advance bilateral ties, building on the "foundation" the two governments have already laid. Ishiba sought Lee's cooperation in addressing challenges posed by North Korea, including Pyongyang's abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, according to Japan. South Korea's presidential office also said that Lee and Ishiba agreed to build a "stronger and more mature Korea-Japan relationship based on mutual respect, trust and a responsible attitude." Lee, a liberal who has taken a firm stance on the bilateral spat over wartime labor and territory, said last week as president that he places importance on consistency in bilateral relations with Japan. After taking office following the ouster of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, over the abrupt imposition of martial law, Lee indicated he would uphold the previous administration's approach to compensating South Korean wartime laborers. The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese colonial rule between 1910 and 1945. The earliest possible opportunity for an in-person summit meeting would come on the fringes of a three-day meeting of the Group of Seven nations to be held in Canada from Sunday. Ishiba is expected to attend the summit as head of G7 member Japan, while Lee has accepted an invitation to attend the gathering as a non-member. Japan and South Korea hope to maintain momentum in improving bilateral ties as they mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization this year. The two countries share a view on the need to deepen three-way cooperation with the United States amid growing security threats from North Korea, which is seeking closer military ties with Russia. According to South Korea's presidential office, the two leaders expressed their "commitment" to jointly responding to various geopolitical challenges within the tripartite framework. © KYODO
