The Comfort Women Issue

(The Position of the Government of Japan concerning the Advertisement in the Washington Post on June 14)

Question: What is the position of the Government of Japan concerning the full-page advertisement regarding the comfort women issue which ran in the Washington Post on June 14, 2007?

Answer:

● The Government of Japan has on many occasions extended official apologies regarding [the Comfort Women issue.

Prime Minister Abe, during his recent visit to the US, clearly stated,

- “In my meeting with congressional representatives, I explained my thoughts - namely that, both personally and as Prime Minister of Japan, my heart goes out in sympathy to all those who suffered extreme hardships as comfort women; and I expressed my apologies for the fact that they were forced to endure such extreme and harsh conditions.

 

- Human rights were violated in many parts of the world during the 20 th Century; therefore we must work to make the 21st century a wonderful century in which no human rights are violated. And the Government of Japan and I wish to make significant contributions to that end.” ( April 27, 2007 )

● This advertisement was sponsored by members of a private group, and was neither sponsored by, nor associated with, the Government of Japan.