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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Chief Cabinet Secretary unveils his peculiar view of history and Constitution

Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe Shinzo recently published his first book entitled "Beautiful Country -- towards a Japan with confidence and pride," ridiculing Japan's constitutional principles as a bond written by a loser country in World War II, and presents his historical view praising Japan's past war of aggression.

Apparently, Abe intends to use the publication of this book to give impetus to his campaign to win the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in September.

Abe argues that Japan's postwar framework, including the Constitution and the Fundamental Law of Education, was established during the occupation with the aim of "preventing Japan from rising as a power again."

He portrays the Constitution's preamble that states the fundamental constitutional principle as a "loser country's declaration that can be likened to a bond of apology to the victorious Allies." He insists that the need now is for Japan to "establish a Constitution on its own" and that this is part of the "raison d'_tre" of the LDP.

In discussing the Japanese war of aggression, he says: "It is necessary for us to think of the era in which our predecessors tried to live in earnest."

Emphasizing that "we should take a hard look at history from the viewpoint of the people who lived in that era," Abe expresses a positive view of Japan's pre-war policy.

In particular, he defends the Class-A war criminals that led the prosecution of the war of aggression. He states, "These are people who were brought to justice under the concept created after the War." He also defends the prime minister's visits to Yasukuni Shrine as a "very natural act".

On Japan's relations with the United States, he describes the present alliance between the two countries as "indispensable".

He questions the present government view that "Japan cannot exercise a right of collective self-defense that would allow Japanese forces to participate in U.S. wars," likening the ban to the legal provision of a person adjudged incompetent.

On domestic policies, Abe says he aims to build a society that attaches importance to the "safety net" and the principle that citizens must "take responsibility for their own affairs." But he expresses no remorse for the 2004 adverse pension reform that met strong public opposition. He says: "The publicly-funded pension schemes restored stability after the introduction of a macro-economic indexation."

Concerning the social gap that exists today, he says, "In a sense, it is natural that the gap become more visible than ever as a result of the structural reforms." He also calls for applicants for colleges and universities to participate in volunteer activities as part of the effort to rebuild education.
- Akahata, July 21, 2006