Japan firm over war crimes 'apology'
THE Japanese Prime Minister has no intention of visiting Hong Kong to apologise for war crimes or pay compensation to those who suffered at the hands of invading military forces during World War II.
According to Kimihiro Ishikane, consul and head of the Japanese General Affairs Department, Japan already apologised to Hong Kong people two years ago.
'Whether to visit Hong Kong to apologise is of secondary importance. Indeed the policy speech made by the former prime minister, Morihiro Hosokawa, in 1993 which expressed remorse and apologies to those war victims included the Hong Kong people,' he said.
But chairman of the Hong Kong Reparation Association, Albert Ho Chun-yan, who led a march from Chater Garden to the Japanese Consulate in Exchange Square yesterday, said the apology was vague and not officially sanctioned by the Japanese parliament.
'If the Government is really sincere in its apology, it should send important officials or the Prime Minister to those victimised countries, clearly making an apology statement with specific terms like 'sorry' and paying compensation for those who suffered,' said Mr Ho.
'What we need is a solemn and official apology with true support by the national Diet of Japan, but not such a vague speech made by a Prime Minister,' he said.
But Mr Ishikane said Japan's stance was consistent and insisted all war-related issues had already been legally settled by the British and Japanese governments in the San Francisco Treaty of 1952.
'As for the moral aspect, I think we should face the past, not turn a blind eye' said Mr Ishikane.
The protesters were supported by legislators Cheung Man-kwong and Szeto Wah and former legislator Lau Chin-shek.
