Koizumi Stresses International Cooperation
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TOKYO — New Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sought Friday to allay fears in Asia about his hawkish views, saying his nation must learn the lessons of its imperialist past.
In his first news conference since being elected prime minister, Koizumi reached out to neighbors who have expressed anger over his support for official visits to a controversial war shrine and calls for a wider military role for Japan.
“The most important thing that has guaranteed peace and prosperity in Japan is reflecting on World War II,” he said.
“In order to ensure peace, we must cooperate with the international community. . . . Japan must never go to war again.”
However, he did not back down from earlier assertions that it may be necessary to change the pacifist constitution to allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to be called an army.
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