"There is nothing scarier in politics than when an unremarkable man
jumps around at the beck and call of the hawks surrounding
him." ― Minoru Morita in the March 14 issue of Nikkan Gendai.
"A cup may be beautiful on the outside, yet if it has no bottom, it
is worthless." ― Han Feizi, philosopher
I'd like to introduce a conversation with me in the March 14 issue of
Nikkan Gendai. Here is an excerpt from the piece:
"Political commentator Minoru Morita had this to say: 'The way Prime
Minister Abe has dredged up the comfort women issue again and made
all these comments about the Kono Statement* is completely excessive.
A New York Times editorial criticized him for his lack of reflection,
and it's natural that antipathy toward him has extended to the United
States. This will spread to Europe as well. Because of this, Japan
can criticize the kidnappings by North Koreans all it wants, but the
issue won't resonate with the rest of the world. Abe can't even guess
how the rest of the world looks at his comments and how it will come
back at him. It's incredibly dangerous because he's running ahead
with his right-wing politics, backed only by his superficial
knowledge and pressure from a bunch of right-wing thinkers. There is
nothing scarier in politics than when an unremarkable man jumps
around at the beck and call of the hawks surrounding him.'"
Abe's thoughtless comment on the comfort women issue that there was
"no coercive nature" to the prostitution is a critical gaffe that
damages the country's interest. The American media has been severe in
its criticism. The result of Abe's comments has been to show Japan
as a country that is taking the low road, trying to obscure the
events of World War II. Prime Minister Abe's responsibility here is
huge.
* In 1993, Yohei Kono, chief cabinet secretary of the Japanese
government at the time, issued a statement apologizing for the
comfort women scandal.
END
As the prime minister tries to cover up his blunder, he hurriedly
becomes more despotic. He keeps piling mistake on top of mistake.
And what about the New Komeito Party? How far will this degenerate
political party follow the prime minister? Behind Komeito is one of
Japan's largest religious organizations. What is Soka Gakkai ―
this giant religious group ― thinking right now? What exactly
is it trying to achieve?
