Japan draws heavy criticism after Shinzo Abe honors war criminals

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a note to a ceremony in which hundreds of war criminals from World War II were being honored. Abe sent the message to a Buddhist temple in western Japan which houses a monument to more than 1,000 “Showa Martyrs”, including wartime leaders who were either convicted by Allied tribunals or died in prison.

In the note, Abe wrote the following: “I humbly express my deepest sympathy for the martyrs … who sacrificed their souls to become the foundation of peace and prosperity in Japan today.” The prime minister added: “I hope for eternal peace and pledge to work toward a harmonious coexistence of mankind in the future.”

This news will undoubtedly draw backlash from Japan’s Asian neighbors who suffered greatly at the hands of the Japanese military during World War II. Leaders from both China and South Korea have regularly condemned Japan for not adequately apologizing for the atrocities that were committed by its military during World War II.

“The Japanese government needs to sincerely reflect on its history of aggression and make a clean break with militarism, that provides an important foundation for Japan to rebuild and develop relations with its Asian neighbors after the war,” said China’s foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a statement posted on the ministry’s website on Thursday.

“We urge Japan to abide to their commitment to post-war non-aggression and take practical action to win the trust of their Asian neighbors and the international community,” said Qin Gang in the statement, made in response to a reporter’s question on Abe’s message.

Read more about the story at The Guardian.