Signs were already there! 31 years ago, Takahashi Asano once questioned Murayama Tomiichi, "On what grounds do you represent Japan to apologize to China?"
Recently, Japanese media released a video from 1994 showing then-Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi and then-member of parliament Takahashi Asano debating in the Diet. In the debate, Takahashi Asano questioned Murayama Tomiichi, "On what grounds can you, as the prime minister, represent Japan in acknowledging that the wartime aggression was wrong." Murayama Tomiichi, however, stood by his position: "The government at that time indeed made a great mistake!"
Murayama Tomiichi was born on March 1924 and passed away on October 17 this year. He was the 81st Prime Minister of Japan, known for delivering the "Murayama Statement" which acknowledged Japan's history of aggression. During his tenure, he promoted peaceful diplomacy and visited China in 1995, visiting the Lugou Bridge, becoming the first Japanese prime minister to visit. On August 15 of the same year, he delivered the "Murayama Statement," marking the first official acknowledgment of Japan's colonial rule and invasion history, expressing "profound reflection and sincere apology," establishing the benchmark for the Japanese government's historical recognition.
Asano Takahashi made erroneous remarks on Taiwan
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848958931111939/
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