New Japanese P.M. Yoshihiko Noda’s view of Japan’s A-Class war criminals

Yoshihiko Noda was elected as the new Japanese P.M. on August 30. Most Japanese people think that he must resign within a year. Many Japanese people worry about Noda’s historical awareness. He has insisted that Japan's A-class war criminals were not war criminals.

It is natural that we have many different opinions of policies related to taxes, the social security system, and energy supply, but historical awareness is different. We must take a stand on the point of view of the constitution of Japan and the official position of the Japanese government.

We, the Japanese people, resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government. (The constitution of Japan)

During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis, and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. 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. Allow me also to express my feelings of profound mourning for all victims, both at home and abroad, of that history. (Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on  August 15, 1995)

The new P.M. Noda’s eccentric historical awareness must anger people abroad and cause the Japanese people grief.

Noda is responsible for his past remarks. He should explain them to the world. Those who deny the Japanese war crimes aren’t suited for the position of Prime Minister of Japan.