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Aso complains of his words not getting through+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Feb. 25_(Kyodo) _ Foreign Minister Taro Aso complained Saturday that the "true intent" of his words is not being understood, in reference to criticism over various remarks he has made on sensitive issues concerning Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors. "It has been four months since I was appointed foreign minister but it has been difficult to get the true intent of my comments understood," he said in a speech in Yokohama. "Isn't it time to speak openly and without hesitation about Japan's values and thoughts as 60 years have passed (since the end of World War II)? But I've found it difficult to get what I want to say understood," Aso said. Aso has come under fire for a series of comments since he took office, including his remark on Jan. 28 that it is desirable for the emperor to visit Yasukuni Shrine. He also told China to stop complaining about Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Shinto shrine where Class-A war criminals are honored along with Japan's war dead. He also said on Feb. 4 that Taiwan's current high educational standards resulted from compulsory education implemented by Japan during its colonization of the island and that he believed Japan "did a good thing." The New York Times, in an editorial titled "Japan's Offensive Foreign Minister" on Feb. 13, criticized Aso for his remarks on Japan's prewar and wartime activities, saying he "lacks understanding and presents unfounded comments." |