SEOUL: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye warned Japan would face “isolation” if it pushes ahead with the apology-review over wartime sex slavery.
Her warning, in a speech marking the anniversary of a 1919 anti-Japanese uprising, coincided with the opening of a rare exhibition on “comfort women” in Seoul, a euphemism for women who were forced into Japanese military brothels during World War II.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration is moving to reconsider a 1995 apology for comfort women.
“Historical truth is in testimony from the survivors. Japan would only bring isolation on itself if it turns a deaf ear to their testimony and sweeps it under the rug for political benefits,” she said.
Park called on Japan to follow Germany in repenting its past wrongs so that the two countries can put bitter memories behind them and “move forward for a new era of cooperation, peace and prosperity.”
Japan pledges aid to Palestine
Jakarta: Japan has pledged to cooperate with other Asian nations in bringing about peace in the Middle East. It also committed roughly $200m in aid to Palestine.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida made the announcement in his opening speech at an international conference in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, yesterday.
Delegates from Asian nations gathered to discuss economic support for Palestine. It was the second meeting of its kind.
Kishida, a co-chair of the conference, said he wants to bring together Asia’s powers to achieve peace in the Middle East, Japan’s (NHK World) newswire reported.
The minister said Asia’s growth comes from personnel training and private-sector development. He said the experiences will definitely contribute to Palestine’s nation-building.
Kishida unveiled Japan’s continued financial support to help Palestine improve its refugee situation and infrastructure.
He went on to disclose Japan’s plan to send experts to help Palestine open a produce processing factory.
He added Japan will work with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand to back Palestine’s personnel training in such fields as finance and disaster preparedness.
Agencies
