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In an editorial entitled "Shinzo Abe's Double Talk" published on Saturday, the Washington Post criticized the Japanese Prime Minister, saying his statements weakening Japan's acknowledgment of its role in the "comfort women" crimes are "a disgrace for a leader of a major democracy."
Pointing out Abe's persistence on the issue of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea, the newspaper said, "what's odd -- and offensive -- is his parallel campaign to roll back Japan's acceptance of responsibility for the abduction, rape and sexual enslavement of tens of thousands of women during World War II."
Abe's position on the matter is in conflict with the facts, the Washington Post said. "The historical record on this issue is no less convincing than the evidence that North Korea kidnapped Japanese citizens. Historians say that up to 200,000 women from Korea, China, the Philippines and other Asian countries were enslaved and that Japanese soldiers participated in abductions."
The editorial also said, "Mr. Abe may imagine that denying direct participation by the Japanese government in abductions may strengthen its moral authority in demanding answers from North Korea. It does the opposite. If Mr. Abe seeks international support in learning the fate of Japan's kidnapped citizens, he should straightforwardly accept responsibility for Japan's own crimes -- and apologize to the victims."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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