自民じみん 西田にしだ議員ぎいん ひめゆりの塔とうめぐる発言はつげん 野党やとう反発はんぱつ 党内とうないも苦言くげん

Regarding the remarks made by Liberal Democratic Party House of Councillors member Shoji Nishida about the explanation of Okinawa’s “Himeyuri no To” Himeyuri Monument, the opposition parties are intensifying their criticism, calling them “outrageous statements that contradict the facts.”

Voices are also being raised within the Liberal Democratic Party, calling for the remarks to be withdrawn out of concern for the impact on the House of Councillors election this summer.

Last week, at a symposium held in Okinawa Prefecture, Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Councillors Shoji Nishida commented on the explanation of the Himeyuri Student Corps, who became victims in the Battle of Okinawa at the Himeyuri no To in Itoman City, saying, It is written in a way that suggests the Japanese army kept coming in, which led to the deaths of the Himeyuri Corps, and that when the Americans came, Okinawa was liberated.

He said things like, This is what happens when you rewrite history.

Mr. Nishida, who held a press conference on the 7th, stated that his remarks were based on his impressions when he saw the exhibition there in the past, and indicated that he does not intend to retract them.

The opposition is intensifying its criticism, with Constitutional Democratic Party leader Noda stating, It was an outrageous remark that is contrary to the facts, and of course, he should apologize and retract his statement.

Also, there has been criticism from within the Liberal Democratic Party as well. Obuchi, the head of the Organization Movement Headquarters and chairman of the committee on Okinawa promotion, said, That statement is completely different from our understanding.

He said, I would like people to visit the Himeyuri Monument again, deepen their understanding, and recognize its significance once more.

Furthermore, there are also calls for Mr. Nishida to retract his statement, out of concern for the impact on the House of Councillors election this summer.