I am writing in response to the motion proposed and adopted by the Legislative Council on January 12, relating to Japanese wartime actions.
I would like to share with you the views of the Japanese Government.
We are deeply disappointed with this motion since it fails to reflect what Japan has been doing in positively addressing wartime issues. In addition, it pays scant attention to the close relationship which like-minded people of Hong Kong and Japan have endeavoured to promote.
It is a misconception to say that Japan has either not apologised or has done so reluctantly. The 1972 Joint Communique 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 the Japanese Government over its past, and it was confirmed by the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two nations in 1978.
Furthermore, in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, 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 . . . [I] express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology'.
In addition, during President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan in 1998, the Japanese Government again offered this sentiment in an unequivocal and sincere manner in a document and face-to-face at the summit meeting.
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. I sincerely hope that Japan's deep remorse over its past can be accepted by the people of Hong Kong and the rest of China.
