Not all in Asia happy with Japan war apology

Not all in Asia happy with Japan war apology

HONG KONG (Reuter): Asian nations welcomed Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's apology yesterday for World War II actions, but some governments, veterans and victims of Japan's aggression demanded more to ease their painful memories.

Murayama's apology, issued on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, followed a parliamentary resolution in July that expressed only "deep reflection".

That gesture had disappointed Asian countries, some of which suffered years of painful Japanese colonial rule or brutal aggression by Japan's Imperial Army during the war.

"I think this must be hailed by all sides from all over the world," Philippines President Fidel Ramos said of Murayama's apology.

China said that while the apology was positive, some people and politicians in Japan still clung to denials of aggression.

"We believe that the Japanese government's gesture is positive...in that they have apologized to people of various countries in Asia," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"But at the same time we cannot fail to point out that in Japanese society, and in political circles, there are still some people who are not able to take a correct attitude toward problems relating to that part of history," it said.

That feeling was echoed in South Korea, which urged Japan to go further in accounting for its wartime actions.

"We want the Japanese government...to make serious efforts to thoroughly reveal the truth of history and have a proper understanding of history," the Seoul Foreign Ministry said.

President Kim Young-sam said Koreans could only put the bitter past behind them when Japan properly recognized and acknowledged its aggression.

Murayama, who made Japan's first unambiguous apology for its aggression in a landmark statement, said this did not mean Tokyo would meet demands for compensation.

But for many victims, that remains a key issue.

Filipinas who said Japanese soldiers used them as sex slaves called the apology an empty gesture.

"I'm angry. If he wants to ask for forgiveness but refuses to compensate us, then that's nothing to us," said Maria Rosa Luna Henson, spokeswoman for a group of "comfort women" who held a protest outside the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

Former World War II enemies attending ceremonies in Thailand at the site of the infamous Thai-Myanmar "Death Railway" also dismissed the apology as empty unless Japan compensated victims of its aggression.

"If he doesn't say anything about compensation it's nothing, it's lip service, I don't believe it," said former Japanese soldier Nagase Takashi, 77.

Takashi, who served as an interpreter for Japanese forces overseeing the Allied prisoners of war and Asian slave laborers who built the railway, said all of those who suffered under Japanese rule should be compensated.

Australian veteran David Barrett, 73, of Tasmania said: "A governmental apology without compensation is only a token." Hong Kong people welcomed the apology but said action, not only words, were needed to heal the wounds.

"That's a good start. The fact that he said it is good," said legislator Emily Lau. "I think people will want to pursue (compensation). I certainly hope the Japanese government will keep an open mind on this and not say that it is out of the question."

Murayama said all compensation claims have been settled by the San Francisco Peace Treaty and by bilateral treaties.