INDONESIA. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologised to Asian nations on Friday for the atrocities committed during World War II. His words may go some way towards offsetting a recent slump in Japanese tourism to China.
Japan recently caused furore in China and offence throughout Asia Pacific over its decision to rewrite and reinterpret its role in the war in its school textbooks, leading to anti-Japanese demonstrations and assaults on Japanese nationals in China. This has led to a slump in Japanese tourism to China.
The apology, described by Malaysian daily The New Straits Times as “Japan’s most public apology in a decade”, was made before the 100 Asian and African leaders attending the Asian-African Summit taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 22 April to 23 April.
In the presence of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Koizumi said: “In the past Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations.
“Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility. And with feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology always engraved in mind, Japan has resolutely maintained, consistently since the end of World War II, never turning to a military power but an economic power.”
On 20 April Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura stated in an address to Asian leaders in the Indonesian capital that Japan announced its determination to progress as “a nation of peace” 50 years ago at the same summit in Bandung, Indonesia, and that it will continue to uphold those words.
Speaking at the 54th PATA Annual Conference in Macau on 19 April, China National Tourism Administration Vice-Chairman Gu Zhaoxi said that tourism is an important tool for resolving the dispute between Japan and China. He called for both countries to initiate reconciliation.
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