InsideJapan News Network
Tuesday,
10th
August
2010
In Events In Japan,
In Events In Japan,
Japan apologises to South Korea over imperialist rule
Japan's government has expressed regret over its colonisation of South Korea during the first and second world wars, as part of ongoing efforts to repair ties between the two nations.
The apology came from prime minister Naoto Kan and was approved by the Japanese cabinet. In the apology, reported by local news source the Kyodo News agency, he said sorry for the way in which many Koreans have suffered.
Japan ruled the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945 and this meant that many in the country were made to fight as soldiers on the front line or were forced to work in slave-like conditions.
The apology comes in as the 100 year anniversary of the annexation approaches.
The issue of wartime atrocities against other nations is a sensitive one in Japan, with some politicians keen to apologise and other, more conservative, ones preferring to avoid the issue and even refuse to acknowledge such incidents.
Written by Susan Balion
Related news stories:
Japan and South Korea agree on North Korea steps (9th October 2009)
Military pact desirable with South Korea (5th January 2011)
Japan to face South Korea in football final (24th September 2010)
Japan to join united front on North Korea (20th June 2008)
Japan football team cruises past South Korea in friendly (10th August 2011)
The apology came from prime minister Naoto Kan and was approved by the Japanese cabinet. In the apology, reported by local news source the Kyodo News agency, he said sorry for the way in which many Koreans have suffered.
Japan ruled the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945 and this meant that many in the country were made to fight as soldiers on the front line or were forced to work in slave-like conditions.
The apology comes in as the 100 year anniversary of the annexation approaches.
The issue of wartime atrocities against other nations is a sensitive one in Japan, with some politicians keen to apologise and other, more conservative, ones preferring to avoid the issue and even refuse to acknowledge such incidents.
Written by Susan Balion
Related news stories:
Japan and South Korea agree on North Korea steps (9th October 2009)
Military pact desirable with South Korea (5th January 2011)
Japan to face South Korea in football final (24th September 2010)
Japan to join united front on North Korea (20th June 2008)
Japan football team cruises past South Korea in friendly (10th August 2011)
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