Japan Press Weekly

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2013 March 27 - April 2 [HISTORY]

Kyoto assembly calls for early resolution of ‘comfort women’ issue

The Kyoto Prefectural Assembly on March 26 adopted a statement calling for an early resolution of the so-called “comfort women” issue with the majority vote of the Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Komei parties. The Liberal Democratic Party voted against.

It was the first statement of this kind adopted by assemblies at the prefectural level. The statement calls on the state to offer an apology and compensation to victims of the Japanese Imperial military’s sex slavery system. The statement was submitted by the Komei Party.

In discussions about the statement, JCP assembly member Sako Yuji pointed out that the sex slave system during Japan’s war of aggression was an act against humanity.

He also stressed that it is highly controversial for Prime Minister Abe to indicate his intention to revise the Kono Statement which expresses a sincere apology to the victims and the Murayama Statement which displays remorse for Japan’s colonial rule and acts of aggression. Sako said that the assembly should demand a state apology and compensation to the victims as well as reinstatement of the removed account about the “comfort women” issue in history textbooks.

The JCP has worked hard to have the assembly adopt such a statement in cooperation with various civil groups.