Wartime apology author and Japan-China ‘bridge’ Yohei Kono dies at 89

A prominent backchannel political figure between Japan and China has died, days before a reported planned trip meant to ease deep bilateral tensions.

Yohei Kono, best known for his historic apology on August 4, 1993, to tens of thousands of “comfort women” who were forced by the Japanese military into sexual slavery during World War II, died on Monday. He was 89.

Considered a moderate voice within Japan’s conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kono was the country’s chief cabinet secretary when he released what would be known as the “Kono Statement”. He went on to become president of the LDP and speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives.

Throughout his political career and even in retirement, he advocated a stable relationship with China as he staunchly defended Japan’s pacifist constitution.

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From 2006 until his death, Kono served as chairman of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, a major Japanese economic organisation dedicated to expanding trade and economic ties, particularly with China.

South China Morning Post