Both men were exceptional in that they clearly saw Japan's place in world history and the direction it should take.
July 14, 2022
The following is from an article by Professor Emeritus Hirakawa Sukehiro of the University of Tokyo, published in today's Sankei Shimbun "Sound Arguments" under the title "Make Abe Shinzo's funeral a state funeral."
It is a must-read not only for Japanese people but for people worldwide.
Emphasis in the text other than the headline is mine.
Japan's greatest global statesman
With former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's death by assassination, Japan has lost a rare politician who could speak persuasively to the world.
Mr. Abe was the most significant global politician our country has produced since Hirobumi Ito.
Even Russian President Putin could not help but express his personal feelings.
Bouquets have been reportedly delivered as a token of condolence to the Japanese embassy in Moscow.
It will likely be seen in Japanese embassies in many countries worldwide.
Mr. Abe's death is a significant loss for the nation and, indeed, for the world.
We cannot help but feel a deep sense of regret.
Shouldn't Japan mourn Abe's untimely death with a state funeral?
Why was Abe able to become a world-class politician alongside Ito Hirobumi?
Both men were exceptional in that they clearly saw Japan's place in world history and the direction it should take.
To give a concrete example, the only two Japanese prime ministers who ever thrilled audiences with their English speeches were Ito Hirobumi, who drew considerable ovations in San Francisco as deputy envoy of the Iwakura Mission, and Abe, who spoke before members of both houses of Congress in Washington.
On the evening of January 22, 1872 (December 14, 1874, on the lunar calendar), Ambassador Iwakura Tomomi gave a speech at a welcoming dinner held at the Grand Hotel in San Francisco, wearing headgear worn by nobles in court dress with ancient ceremonial court robe, and DeLong, the U.S. envoy to Japan, acted as interpreter.
Next, Ito Hirobumi, the lowest-ranking deputy envoy, took the stage ahead of the senior deputy envoys Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Toshimichi.
Ito, who was 30 years old at the time, began his speech in clear and understandable English without any hesitation.
He used a clever analogy to explain the excellent policy of opening the country to the outside world and promoting friendship, saying, "The rising sun is no longer the wax seal that seals Japan, but the rising sun."
Although Ito had already spent two long years abroad, he undoubtedly learned English words such as "sealing wax" from the American who accompanied him on the ship.
On April 29, 2015, the 27th year of the Heisei era, Abe gave a speech at a joint session of the House of Representatives in Washington, the first time a Japanese prime minister had done so.
"We lost the war but won diplomacy."
Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru was skilled at conversing with General MacArthur, but as his speech in the Diet showed, he could have been better at giving speeches.
At the San Francisco Peace Conference, he read aloud in Japanese while rolling up the scroll.
He was mocked as if he was using toilet paper.
I was fascinated by Abe's English speech.
Abe must have often recited the carefully crafted English sentences to practice.
How did Abe develop his international sense?
As a young secretary to his father, Foreign Minister Abe Shintaro, he had extensive contact with foreign dignitaries and used English himself.
This not only enabled him to understand the positions and arguments of the other side but also allowed him to master the art of making Japan's position understandable to foreigners.
I remember that Foreign Ministry official Okazaki Hisahiko rejoiced at Abe's appearance as a politician as if it were the arrival of a savior.
Outstanding international sense and view of history
Even in Japanese, Abe's way of speaking is rhythmic, has a good tempo, and is straightforward and efficient.
His mental concentration was terrific.
The audience was moved when he mentioned the fierce battle of Iwo Jima in his speech in Washington.
Retired Marine Lt. General Snowden, who fought in the battle, and Councilman Shindo Yoshitaka, grandson of Commander Kuribayashi Tadamichi, shook hands.
What I thought was even better was his view of history as a politician.
It was the "Speech on the 70th Anniversary of the End of the War" issued on August 14 of that year, and Abe's speech affirmed the efforts of Meiji Japan.
"More than 100 years ago, the world was dominated by vast colonies, mainly from Western countries. With their overwhelming technological superiority as a backdrop, the wave of colonial rule swept over Asia in the 19th century. There is no doubt that the sense of crisis that followed was the driving force behind Japan's modernization. Japan was the first country in Asia to establish a constitutional government and to defend its independence. The Russo-Japanese War encouraged many people in Asia and Africa who were under colonial rule."
Abe is not a simple-minded Japanese supremacist.
He also clearly stated his historical understanding that since the Manchurian Incident, Japan "went off course and headed down the road to war."
I live in Shibuya Ward, and in June 1960, I saw helicopters flying over the private home of Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke.
At that time, Shinzo was a small child, and apparently, he was saying "Anpo Hantai" (the war is over) on his grandfather's lap, imitating how people used to say it.
Tired of TV programs where anti-Abe = righteous
In the summer of 2015, newspapers such as Asahi, Mainichi, and Tokyo also took an anti-LDP government stance and called for opposition to the "security legislation."
"Abe, die" was posted on the door of a particular university.
Compared to the "anti-security bill" uproar half a century ago, the demonstrations had no power.
However, TV programs that only focus on demonstrations around the Diet and report on them as if opposition to Abe is the only righteous cause are tiring for viewers.
"Abe, die"-type online incitement can remain in viewers' subconscious.
Once again, a helicopter flew over the sky in Tomigaya, Shibuya Ward.
It was filmed when Abe's body was transported from Nara and returned to his home.
Shouldn't the death of this great statesman of his generation not be given a state funeral?
Is it okay to settle for a straightforward joint funeral for the Cabinet and the LDP?
July 14, 2022
The following is from an article by Professor Emeritus Hirakawa Sukehiro of the University of Tokyo, published in today's Sankei Shimbun "Sound Arguments" under the title "Make Abe Shinzo's funeral a state funeral."
It is a must-read not only for Japanese people but for people worldwide.
Emphasis in the text other than the headline is mine.
Japan's greatest global statesman
With former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's death by assassination, Japan has lost a rare politician who could speak persuasively to the world.
Mr. Abe was the most significant global politician our country has produced since Hirobumi Ito.
Even Russian President Putin could not help but express his personal feelings.
Bouquets have been reportedly delivered as a token of condolence to the Japanese embassy in Moscow.
It will likely be seen in Japanese embassies in many countries worldwide.
Mr. Abe's death is a significant loss for the nation and, indeed, for the world.
We cannot help but feel a deep sense of regret.
Shouldn't Japan mourn Abe's untimely death with a state funeral?
Why was Abe able to become a world-class politician alongside Ito Hirobumi?
Both men were exceptional in that they clearly saw Japan's place in world history and the direction it should take.
To give a concrete example, the only two Japanese prime ministers who ever thrilled audiences with their English speeches were Ito Hirobumi, who drew considerable ovations in San Francisco as deputy envoy of the Iwakura Mission, and Abe, who spoke before members of both houses of Congress in Washington.
On the evening of January 22, 1872 (December 14, 1874, on the lunar calendar), Ambassador Iwakura Tomomi gave a speech at a welcoming dinner held at the Grand Hotel in San Francisco, wearing headgear worn by nobles in court dress with ancient ceremonial court robe, and DeLong, the U.S. envoy to Japan, acted as interpreter.
Next, Ito Hirobumi, the lowest-ranking deputy envoy, took the stage ahead of the senior deputy envoys Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Toshimichi.
Ito, who was 30 years old at the time, began his speech in clear and understandable English without any hesitation.
He used a clever analogy to explain the excellent policy of opening the country to the outside world and promoting friendship, saying, "The rising sun is no longer the wax seal that seals Japan, but the rising sun."
Although Ito had already spent two long years abroad, he undoubtedly learned English words such as "sealing wax" from the American who accompanied him on the ship.
On April 29, 2015, the 27th year of the Heisei era, Abe gave a speech at a joint session of the House of Representatives in Washington, the first time a Japanese prime minister had done so.
"We lost the war but won diplomacy."
Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru was skilled at conversing with General MacArthur, but as his speech in the Diet showed, he could have been better at giving speeches.
At the San Francisco Peace Conference, he read aloud in Japanese while rolling up the scroll.
He was mocked as if he was using toilet paper.
I was fascinated by Abe's English speech.
Abe must have often recited the carefully crafted English sentences to practice.
How did Abe develop his international sense?
As a young secretary to his father, Foreign Minister Abe Shintaro, he had extensive contact with foreign dignitaries and used English himself.
This not only enabled him to understand the positions and arguments of the other side but also allowed him to master the art of making Japan's position understandable to foreigners.
I remember that Foreign Ministry official Okazaki Hisahiko rejoiced at Abe's appearance as a politician as if it were the arrival of a savior.
Outstanding international sense and view of history
Even in Japanese, Abe's way of speaking is rhythmic, has a good tempo, and is straightforward and efficient.
His mental concentration was terrific.
The audience was moved when he mentioned the fierce battle of Iwo Jima in his speech in Washington.
Retired Marine Lt. General Snowden, who fought in the battle, and Councilman Shindo Yoshitaka, grandson of Commander Kuribayashi Tadamichi, shook hands.
What I thought was even better was his view of history as a politician.
It was the "Speech on the 70th Anniversary of the End of the War" issued on August 14 of that year, and Abe's speech affirmed the efforts of Meiji Japan.
"More than 100 years ago, the world was dominated by vast colonies, mainly from Western countries. With their overwhelming technological superiority as a backdrop, the wave of colonial rule swept over Asia in the 19th century. There is no doubt that the sense of crisis that followed was the driving force behind Japan's modernization. Japan was the first country in Asia to establish a constitutional government and to defend its independence. The Russo-Japanese War encouraged many people in Asia and Africa who were under colonial rule."
Abe is not a simple-minded Japanese supremacist.
He also clearly stated his historical understanding that since the Manchurian Incident, Japan "went off course and headed down the road to war."
I live in Shibuya Ward, and in June 1960, I saw helicopters flying over the private home of Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke.
At that time, Shinzo was a small child, and apparently, he was saying "Anpo Hantai" (the war is over) on his grandfather's lap, imitating how people used to say it.
Tired of TV programs where anti-Abe = righteous
In the summer of 2015, newspapers such as Asahi, Mainichi, and Tokyo also took an anti-LDP government stance and called for opposition to the "security legislation."
"Abe, die" was posted on the door of a particular university.
Compared to the "anti-security bill" uproar half a century ago, the demonstrations had no power.
However, TV programs that only focus on demonstrations around the Diet and report on them as if opposition to Abe is the only righteous cause are tiring for viewers.
"Abe, die"-type online incitement can remain in viewers' subconscious.
Once again, a helicopter flew over the sky in Tomigaya, Shibuya Ward.
It was filmed when Abe's body was transported from Nara and returned to his home.
Shouldn't the death of this great statesman of his generation not be given a state funeral?
Is it okay to settle for a straightforward joint funeral for the Cabinet and the LDP?
2024/9/26 in Umeda, Osaka
