Japan’s new defense minister has declined to say whether Japan liberated or invaded Asian countries before World War II, or if Japanese troops massacred civilians in China. On Thursday, Tomomi Inada held her first group interview and was asked to clarify her views on wartime history.
“Whether you would describe Japan’s actions as an invasion is not factual, but it depends on one's point of view. Each individual has their own perception. As for me, I believe that it is important for historical views to be based on objective facts. I don’t think it is appropriate for me to personally comment on this,” Inada said.
The new Defense Minister is known for her revisionist views of Japan's wartime actions. She has called for a revamp of Japan’s war-renouncing constitution to ease the constraints on the military operating overseas.
Inada has been a regular visitor to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine for war dead. Neighbors, including China and South Korea, see the shrine as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. Inada was asked if she would visit it again ahead of the August 15 anniversary of Japan’s surrender in 1945. She declined to comment.
Latest data by the Kyodo News agency shows that only a third of those interviewed showed support for her nomination.
