Abe’s comments were simply repeating the Japanese government’s stance until now. It says it apologizes, but it neither admits to its forced mobilization of women to serve as sex slaves nor does it take responsibility for such actions. If he truly wishes to apologize for Japan's use of military brothels during World War II, he must express such intentions publicly to Korea, China and other Asian countries who suffered under Japanese aggression, as well as to the women who were forcibly mobilized into sexual slavery. But Abe just dialed up the president of the United States, which is just a third party, to make the apology. This is simply ridiculous.

It is easy to see why Abe is refusing to take responsibility and issue an apology on this side of the world, while kowtowing to Washington. Abe will visit the United States between April 26-27 and meet with Bush at Camp David. At the same time, U.S. lawmakers are considering a non-binding resolution urging Japan to apologize formally for forcing thousands of women into the brothels. The U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to handle the resolution after hearing Abe’s explanation first. Abe has asked for the U.S. president’s help to avoid this prospect.

A group of right-wing Japanese lawmakers are seeking to visit the United States to block the resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives. That group had stirred up controversy in the past for demanding a revision of the Japanese government’s landmark apology in 1993. Abe had served as the head of that group. Just watching the actions of that group shows clearly why Abe raised the topic of the sex slaves in his phone call with the U.S. leader.

While continuing to ignore the pains and calls for an apology by fellow Asians who suffered, Japan has trembled with fear every time the United States, Canada, Germany or other Western nation began criticizing it. Japan may be an economic powerhouse. But when it comes to a sense of morality and ethics, Japan is probably one of the world’s poorest nations.