Japan’s PM Ishiba mentions wartime ‘regret’, toeing right-wing line

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commemorated the millions who died in World War II and expressed regret, following speculation over whether he would make a strong statement on Japan’s wartime atrocities and risk anger from the right-leaning factions of his own party.

“We must never repeat the tragedy of war. We must never choose the wrong path again. We must etch deeply into our hearts the regret and lessons of that war,” he said in a speech on Aug 15. 

The wording is significantly toned down from statements made by some previous more liberal prime ministers but adds the phrasing of ‘regret’ which was absent in the statement of his more conservative predecessor Shinzo Abe.

It hints at the balancing act Mr Ishiba must navigate as a liberal-leaning prime minister facing possible criticism from the conservative lawmakers of his own Liberal Democratic Party from which he has little loyalty.

For now, it appears unlikely that the right-leaning factions of the party would use the speech as fodder to criticise Mr Ishiba, given he still has some support from the broader public even with a dismal election showing in last month’s Upper House election. 

He is also expected to make a donation to the controversial Yasukuni shrine as LDP leader out of his own pocket, according to Kyodo news agency, in a move that could head off criticism from the LDP’s right-wing base. 

Yasukuni shrine commemorates the military war dead including those who were tried as war criminals, and previous visits by senior members of government have provoked outcry from neighbors including China and South Korea. 

In the weeks leading to Aug 15, which marks 80 years since the announcement of Japan’s surrender in the Pacific War, speculation swirled over whether Ishiba would release a broader statement in recognition of the occasion and how it would be worded, given its potential to provide fuel to blast Mr Ishiba and impact the political dynamics within the LDP. 

The phrasing of such statements have swung between apologising for Japan’s wartime atrocities in neighboring countries and glossing over it, depending on the leader in power. 

But Mr Ishiba appears to have carefully sidestepped the possibility of internal wrangling, ultimately deciding against releasing a statement on Aug 15, according to local media. 

Calls for Mr Ishiba to take responsibility for July’s election defeat by quitting has somewhat stalled, as polls see a surge in his popularity and political activity slows during a week-long summer holiday. 

Despite losing his majority in the Upper House, recent polls show a bump in support for Mr Ishiba and a willingness to see him continue as prime minister.

Approval ratings rose 7 points to 38 per cent, with 49 per cent supportive of Mr Ishiba staying on and 40 per cent opposed, according to a poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK in early August. Bloomberg