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John Kerry Abe:
REOPENS ‘Profound grief’
EMBASSY in Cuba, for WWII, but
but tensions Japan can’t keep
remain apologizing
SECRETARY of State John Kerry is in Cuba on Friday to raise the JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo “Still, even so, we Japanese, across
flag above the U.S. Embassy for the first time in 54 years. Abe on Friday expressed “profound grief” generations, must squarely face the history
The day before, Cuban state media put out an article in the name for the millions killed in World War II and of the past. We have the responsibility to
of Fidel Castro, writing on the occasion of his 89th birthday, in remorse for his country’s participation, inherit the past, in all humbleness, and
which he made no reference to the historic resumption of U.S.-Cuba but said that future Japanese generations pass it on to the future.”
relations but instead waxed on about the damage the American shouldn’t need to keep apologizing. Abe, 60, became Japan’s first Prime
embargo has caused Cuba and the anniversary of the United States Abe, in a speech marking the 70th Minister born after the end of World War
dropping an atomic bomb on Japan. anniversary of the war’s end, gave no II when he began a one-year term in 2006.
new apology. But he acknowledged His second stint in the office started in
“Thank you for joining us at this truly historic moment as we previous ones and said Japan must keep late 2012. Some previous Japanese prime
prepare to raise the flag ... symbolizing the restoration of diplomatic resolving to never again use force to settle ministers have personally apologized for
relations after 54 years,” Kerry said at the ceremony, addressing the international disputes. Japan’s actions in the war, including for
crowd in both English and Spanish. using Korean women as “comfort women,”
Kerry’s visit marks the symbolic end of one of the last vestiges of the “Japan has repeatedly expressed the or sex slaves, for the Japanese military.
Cold War. But signs of mistrust linger, and beyond the pomp and feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt
circumstance lies a long road back from more than half a century of apology for its actions during the war,” Abe hinted at this Friday, saying Japan
diplomatic animosity. Abe said, adding the country “engraved in needed to remember the “women behind
our hearts” the suffering of Japan’s Asian the battlefields whose honor and dignity
The rhetoric from the leader of the Cuban revolution, and the face neighbors through its actions, including were severely injured.” He said Japan
of anti-U.S. resistance, is not unexpected. But it underscores the China, South Korea, Indonesia and the will help make this century one in which
long-standing tensions at play as Washington and Havana work to Philippines. “women’s human rights are not infringed
thaw the decadeslong chill in relations. upon.”
Even Kerry’s brief visit reflects the complexities of opening a new But, Abe said, postwar generations now Japan has had a pacifist stance after
chapter of engagement with the Cuban government. exceed 80% of Japan’s population. the war, deploying troops only in
He is accompanied by a number of U.S. lawmakers who have “We must not let our children, humanitarian roles. While Abe on Friday
advocated normalizing diplomatic and economic relations with the grandchildren, and even further distanced Japan from wars of aggression,
island. Several Cuban-Americans also are part of the delegation. generations to come, who have nothing he has backed legislation that would allow
to do with that war, be predestined for a more active role for Japanese troops
ARUBA TRAVELLER - Saturday, August 15 2015 to apologize,” Abe said at his official overseas, including involvement in the
residence in Tokyo. defense of its allies.
17INTERNATIONAL
