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Post by asavery on Oct 22, 2007 20:23:36 GMT -5
Prime Minister Hideku Aburi walked down the steps exiting the Ministry of Defense in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. Although he had worked the last few years of his career in this building, this was the first time as Prime Minister. Moving towards the limo that was prepared to whisk him away, Hideku stopped and in an uncharacteristic move, turned towards waiting the reporters he usually shunned. The gathered journalist waited in silence for the reserved man to speak.
"As is the tradition with most incoming Prime Ministers, I have recieved, along with much of the cabinet, the first national secuirty briefing of this administration from the Self-Defense Forces. As you are all aware, this is an area of interest and study for me. Although many of the issues are not new, Japan will likely face many great challenges in the future.
In the coming days I will be considering a number of important matters. Japan must consider its place in the 21st Century world. This is a time of reflection and honest assessment, and the Japanese people must not shy away from the difficult if we are to fulfill our potential.
To consider these matters I will taking time to meditate on the past. Tomorrow I shall be visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, to honor the sacrifices of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of this nation. Following the I will be speaking at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, in recognition of the cost war can have on a nation. I hope many of the members of the cabinet and Diet will join me in these reflections. Later this week I will be addressing the National Defense Academy, where I hope to provide details regarding Japan's role in this new world. Good Day!"
With that the Prime Minister withdrew to the caravan of limos, avoiding the questions of the press.
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Post by asavery on Oct 26, 2007 11:21:23 GMT -5
*Special Report* Japanese News Network...
This is Atomora Sato, coming to you from outside the Yasukuni Shrine near Tokyo, where Prime Minister Aburi is visiting to honor Japan’s war dead. As you can see behind me, this visit is not without controversy.
<The camera pans to show a few dozen protesters near the Torii Gate, carrying signs such as “PM honors war criminasl”, “Recognize Japan’s crimes against humanity”, and carrying Chinese and Korean flags.>
The Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time when the government is considering the defense policy and what the future of Japan in the region and around the globe might be. The Shine honors nearly two and a half million people, both soldier and civilian, who have died in Japan’s conflict from the Boshin War of 1867 through World War II.
The controversy revolves around about 1000 enshrined souls, who were convicted of war crimes following World War II, include 14 convicted of Class A crimes. Although these names are listed as criminals on the honor role, recent visits by government officials have brought protests by China and the Koreas, as well as some of the more liberal groups in Japan.
The Prime Minister elected not to address the media or protesters today, but his office says he will include reflections of his visit during an upcoming speech in Hiroshima. While the protests were peaceful today, they reflect a strong rejection by certain groups and some of the regional powers.
Atomora Sato, JNN
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Post by asavery on Oct 29, 2007 9:24:10 GMT -5
*Special Report* Japanese News Network...
This is Atomora Sato at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, where the Prime Minister is scheduled to speak in a few minutes. Although the text of his speech has not been released, this visit in not without disruption. Over a hundred activists have gathered to protest the Prime Minister, especially with his recent visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. This group includes ultra-liberal groups, Chinese and Korean activists, as well as black-masked anarchists. Unlike previous protest, a few arrests occurred when bottles and eggs were thrown against areas of the memorial.
Now we go to the stage, where the Prime Minister has been introduced by the Mayor.
“Thank you for allowing me to speak here today on this hallowed ground. This memorial park is an important reminder of the cost of war on a nation and on a people. If you would please join me in a moment of silence for those who died here over sixty years ago.”
The crowd hushed, although a few protesters continued to shout profanities from a distance. After a minute Aburi raised his head and continued.
“Both here and Nagasaki, the only cities to suffer attacks by nuclear weapons, along with over five dozen cities across Japan to have their urban centers destroyed in firebombing in the horrendous Second World War, resulted in nearly a million casualties. We must never forget this cost of war suffered by the civilian population.
A few days ago I visited the Yasukuni Shrine, to honor those brave souls who have fought and died in defense of Japan. Despite the protest of a small group of individuals, this was no different than the leaders of other countries visiting their own memorials, such as Arlington Cemetery in the United States. However, it must be, and is, recognized that some who have committed atrocities are interned there.
In recognizing these tragedies we mush acknowledge the missteps and indeed shame that Japan must accept. Imperialism, militarism, and expansionism led our nation down a path that should never have been followed. We committed acts that must be used as examples and never be allowed to occur in the future.
I have directed the foreign minister to convey to the People’s Republic of China a request for permission to visit Nanking. I do this to apologize for this atrocity that occured there and across the region during that sad period, to mourn for the dead, and to recognize the guilt that we as a nation must face.
Today we are friends and allies with the United States, the nation we were in such a death struggle all those years ago. Our economy is one of the most productive in the world, and we must step up to the obligations that come with being a leading nation. Working with and through the United Nations we must step up promote and protect democracy, freedom and peace, while responding to humanitarian needs and emergencies, and prevent future atrocities.
Japan will face many challenges in the 21st Century. We must remember, recognize, and learn from our mistakes, but we also must not allow the events of over sixty years ago force inactivity in being the responsible global citizen and leader that we are today. In doing so we must never forget the cost to those who defend the nation and the citizens of the nation, remember our obligations to responsibly defend the nation and all peoples, and determine never to commit or permit atrocities to occur in any form or by any actor. I thank you again for allowing me to speak here today, and I hope that together we can move our nation, the region and the world forward in peace.”
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