Key facts
- Yohei Kono, a former Japanese politician, died on Monday at age 89.
- He is best known for the 1993 "Kono Statement," a landmark apology for wartime sexual slavery.
- Kono advocated for stable relations with China and defended Japan's pacifist constitution.
- He served as chief cabinet secretary, LDP president, and speaker of the House of Representatives.
- His son, Taro Kono, is also a prominent politician.
Yohei Kono, a significant figure in Japanese politics renowned for his 1993 apology to "comfort women" and his efforts to foster stable relations with China, died on Monday at the age of 89. Kono, who served as chief cabinet secretary when he issued the historic statement acknowledging the Japanese military's involvement in wartime sexual slavery, was considered a moderate voice within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Throughout his career, Kono consistently advocated for improved ties with China and other Asian nations that experienced Japanese wartime atrocities, while also defending Japan's pacifist constitution. From 2006 until his death, he chaired the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, an organization focused on expanding economic connections, particularly with China.
The "Kono Statement," based on a government study, acknowledged that the recruitment and operation of brothels involved coercion and caused "immeasurable pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds" to many women, largely from the Korean Peninsula. While the apology was seen internationally as a crucial step in confronting Japan's past and improving diplomatic relations, it faced criticism from some Japanese conservatives who argued for moving beyond historical narratives.
Kono entered politics in 1967, succeeding his father, Ichiro Kono. He held several key positions, including LDP president and speaker of the House of Representatives, though he never became prime minister. He also briefly left the LDP in 1976 to form the New Liberal Club before returning in 1986. His son, Taro Kono, is an active LDP lawmaker and has served as foreign and defense minister.