Letter of Acting Consul-General to the HK media regarding the motion by the Legislative Council on January 12th, 2000
Mr. Shuhei Takahashi, Acting Consul-General
of Japan, sent the following letter to the Hong Kong media representatives in
response to the motion by the Legislative Council on January 12th, 2000:
"I am writing in response to the motion proposed and adopted by Hong Kong's Legislative Council on January 12th, 2000, relating to Japanese wartime actions, every line of which was carefully read by our office. In response, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the viewpoints of the Japanese Government.
First of all, we are deeply disappointed at this motion since it fails to properly reflect on what Japan has been doing in positively addressing wartime issues, and in addition, it pays scant attention to the close relationship which like-minded people of both Hong Kong and Japan have assiduously endeavoured to promote.
As for most of the issues which are covered by this motion, the Japanese Government has made an honest effort to use various opportunities to clearly relate Japan's position to Hong Kong people, however, let me restate our position on some important issues.
The "Apology" Issue
It is a misconception to say that Japan has either not apologized or has done so reluctantly. For confirmation of this, one only has to look at the statements of the Japanese Government on various occasions. The 1972 Joint Communiqué between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China states, "The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war, and deeply reproaches itself". It was a sincere manifestation of the position of Japanese Government over its past, and it was confirmed by the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries in 1978.
Furthermore, in 1995, on the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II,
the then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama made a statement, part of which read, "Japan…through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those Asian countries. In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology". (The full text of this statement is attached - please refer to Annex 1). It should be noted that this was an official statement based on a Cabinet decision, and it has subsequently been endorsed by successive Japanese governments.
In addition, during President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan in 1998, the Japanese Government, looking squarely at past history, again offered this sentiment in an unequivocal and sincere manner in a document and face-to-face at the summit meeting, the significance of which was duly recognized by the Chinese Government. I find it sad that although Japan sincerely regrets its past aggression and has repeatedly and clearly expressed its heartfelt apology, excessive attention is still given to the mode and wording of apology, regardless of the sentiment of the Japanese public. Given the reaction of some Japanese people, one has to wonder whether excessive persistence or even dictation leads us anywhere other than to regrettably undermine a great reservoir of Japanese goodwill towards its most important neighbour. I sincerely hope that Japan's deep remorse over its past and its heartfelt apology can be understood and accepted by the people of Hong Kong and the rest of China.
Reparations/Compensation
As for reparations relating to the last war, and the issues of property and other such claims, the Japanese Government has faithfully dealt with these issues in accordance with the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951, and other related treaties including the Sino-Japanese Joint Communiqué of 1972, and therefore these issues have been legally solved between Japan and the other signatory parties including China and the United Kingdom (for Hong Kong).
I would like to also draw your attention to the fact that in the 1972 Joint Communiqué, Paragraph 5 clearly and irrefutably states that:
"The Government of the People's Republic of China declares that in the interest of the friendship between the Chinese and the Japanese peoples, it renounces its demand for war reparation from Japan."
The Senkaku Islands
Regarding the Senkaku Islands, which are referred to as "Diaoyutai" in the Legislative Council motion, the long-held position of the Japanese Government is that these are an integral part of Japanese territory in accordance with historical facts and international law. At present our country effectively controls these islands and our position on the Senkakus remains the same. At the same time we believe that it is important not to undermine Japan - China relations (including Japan - Hong Kong relations), which have important influence on the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, through incidents relating to these islands. (Japan's basic viewpoint on this issue is also attached - please refer to Annex 2).
History in Education
Concerning the importance of education in dealing with historical issues, it should be noted that in history text books currently used by High School and Junior High School students in Japan, there are descriptions that illustrate that Japan caused serious damage and suffering towards Asian countries.
Finally, standing as we are in this historic time during the early days of the new millennium, I would like to call on distinguished persons like yourself to join us in making a concerted effort to further enhance Hong Kong - Japan relations in a forward-looking manner. I keep hearing from my Hong Kong friends that Hong Kong both needs and appreciates Japan's support and partnership as it heads towards recovery, not to mention the very positive impact that the vibrant flow of Japanese tourists has on Hong Kong. In drawing to a conclusion, I firmly believe it is high time for us all to face any few remaining differences in a positive manner and in a spirit of joint cooperation. In drawing lessons from the past, let us look to the future with renewed vigour and enthusiasm as Japan and Hong Kong continue to work successfully as partners, neighbours and friends. "