Abe: ‘Tokyo does not deny colonial rule, but issues should be left on historians’

When asked on Japan’s colonial rule of Korea while attending a special committee on the pacifist security legislative system of the Japanese House of Representatives on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “I have never denied Japan’s colonial rule.” He added, however, “Issues before the Second World War were completely and finally resolved through the Korea-Japan basic treaty in 1965.” Basically, individual issues in history should be left on historians.”

On his remarks, watchers say that Abe may have revealed his intention not to include a message reflecting Japan’s invasion and colonial rule when he issues a statement in August.