아베 정권의 역사인식과 한일관계

Abstract

This paper will review the recognition of history the government of Japan under Prime Minister Abe Shinzō’s in the context that recognition of history by the Japanese government and cabinet members has changed since the Korea-Japan normalization treaty in 1965. It notes that what influences Korea-Japan relations is not the politician’s historical recognition in and of itself but the politician’s comment or action reported via the media. The Murayama Statement of 1995 is regarded as an official historical recognition of the Japanese government expressing apology and reflection on causing tremendous damage and pain through colonial rule and the war of aggression. The statement reflects “the summary” of the Japanese government’s historical recognition accumulated since 1965 and not the personal historical recognition of then-Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi. Moreover, the Murayama Statement can be regarded as a common asset of East Asia since it is the result of relations between Japan and affected countries. The historical recognition of the Abe government is in the same context as the Murayama Statement. It is difficult to deny that Prime Minister Abe and some cabinet members are “prisoners of conscience” negating the Murayama Statement and the Kōno Statement. But it is still an objective truth that a comment or an action made not as an individual but as a politician or as a cabinet member is strategically handled and given consideration in the context of diplomatic relations. It is important to ensure that the historical recognition of Prime Minister Abe’s government remains within the context of the Murayama Statement. A framework should be established to conduct joint studies and research and to find solutions for easing conflicts that derive from historical issues.