Japanese prime minister addresses joint session of U.S. Congress, expresses “deep remorse” over World War II
May 8, 2015
by Osamu Kido, Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the first prime minister of Japan to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress when he spoke in Washington, D.C. on the morning of April 29 (April 30 in Japan). In this milestone year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, he emphasized the contributions made to the world’s peace and prosperity by Japan and the United States, a relationship transformed from enemies to allies. Looking back, he expressed “deep remorse over World War II.” He also called for cooperation in Japan-U.S. negotiations involving the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Mr. Abe is the first Japanese prime minister to speak before the U.S. Congress in 54 years, since then Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda addressed the House of Representatives in 1961, and the first-ever to address both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Mr. Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, also addressed the House.
The English version of his 45-minute speech was titled “Toward an Alliance of Hope.” “We started out on our path bearing in mind feelings of deep remorse over the war,” he said about post-war Japan. He then emphasized, “Our actions brought suffering to the peoples in Asian countries. We must not avert our eyes from that. I will uphold the views expressed by the previous prime ministers in this regard.”
Early in his address, Mr. Abe described his visit to the World War II Memorial, dedicated to American soldiers who fell victim to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and elsewhere in the war. He said, “With deep repentance in my heart, I stood there in silent prayers for some time. I offer with profound respect my eternal condolences to the souls of all American people.”
Mr. Abe mentioned Mr. Kishi’s address in 1957, in which Mr. Kishi emphasized “our strong belief in democratic principles and ideals.” Mr. Abe stressed the universal values shared by Japan and the United States: the rule of law, democracy, and freedom. With regard to the revision of the new Defense Cooperation Guidelines, which define the roles of Japan’s Self Defense Force and the U.S. military, he said this would make the alliance “even more solid,” and vowed that legislation for a new security framework, which would make it legal to exercise Japan’s right to collective self-defense, will be enacted by this summer. Conveying his resolve to expand Japan’s role in the world, he said, “We now hold up high a new banner that is ‘proactive contribution to peace.’”
Though he did not mention China by name, Mr. Abe sought to deter China’s aggressive naval actions with the words, “We must make Asian waters seas of peace and freedom, where all follow the rule of law.”
Concerning the TTP, now in its final stage of negotiations, he pointed out, “The TPP goes far beyond just economic benefits. It is also about our security. Its strategic value is awesome.” With the president’s authority to negotiate the treaty held up by Congress, Mr. Abe called on both countries to exercise leadership on these negotiations.
(Originally published on April 30, 2015)
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the first prime minister of Japan to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress when he spoke in Washington, D.C. on the morning of April 29 (April 30 in Japan). In this milestone year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, he emphasized the contributions made to the world’s peace and prosperity by Japan and the United States, a relationship transformed from enemies to allies. Looking back, he expressed “deep remorse over World War II.” He also called for cooperation in Japan-U.S. negotiations involving the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Mr. Abe is the first Japanese prime minister to speak before the U.S. Congress in 54 years, since then Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda addressed the House of Representatives in 1961, and the first-ever to address both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Mr. Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, also addressed the House.
The English version of his 45-minute speech was titled “Toward an Alliance of Hope.” “We started out on our path bearing in mind feelings of deep remorse over the war,” he said about post-war Japan. He then emphasized, “Our actions brought suffering to the peoples in Asian countries. We must not avert our eyes from that. I will uphold the views expressed by the previous prime ministers in this regard.”
Early in his address, Mr. Abe described his visit to the World War II Memorial, dedicated to American soldiers who fell victim to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and elsewhere in the war. He said, “With deep repentance in my heart, I stood there in silent prayers for some time. I offer with profound respect my eternal condolences to the souls of all American people.”
Mr. Abe mentioned Mr. Kishi’s address in 1957, in which Mr. Kishi emphasized “our strong belief in democratic principles and ideals.” Mr. Abe stressed the universal values shared by Japan and the United States: the rule of law, democracy, and freedom. With regard to the revision of the new Defense Cooperation Guidelines, which define the roles of Japan’s Self Defense Force and the U.S. military, he said this would make the alliance “even more solid,” and vowed that legislation for a new security framework, which would make it legal to exercise Japan’s right to collective self-defense, will be enacted by this summer. Conveying his resolve to expand Japan’s role in the world, he said, “We now hold up high a new banner that is ‘proactive contribution to peace.’”
Though he did not mention China by name, Mr. Abe sought to deter China’s aggressive naval actions with the words, “We must make Asian waters seas of peace and freedom, where all follow the rule of law.”
Concerning the TTP, now in its final stage of negotiations, he pointed out, “The TPP goes far beyond just economic benefits. It is also about our security. Its strategic value is awesome.” With the president’s authority to negotiate the treaty held up by Congress, Mr. Abe called on both countries to exercise leadership on these negotiations.
(Originally published on April 30, 2015)
