Japan PM war slavery denial uncovers old pain

CNN Website: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/03/03/japan.sexslaves.ap/index.html

Mr. Kaneko, 87, a Japanese Imperial Army veteran who fought in World War II still remembers how he and his fellow comrades raped women during the war. According to him, the cries of their victims "didn't matter" because they "were Imperial soldiers". How is that for proof Prime Minister Shinzo Abe?

Drawing flak from the international community, Mr. Abe has continued to deny the fact that many Asian women were coerced into becoming "comfort women" for the Imperial Army in military brothels. In his attempt to display nationalism and to protect the integrity of his country, Mr. Abe has infuriated many across the world, including their good friend, the United States of America. Even right now, there is talk in Washington that congress will be drafting a resolution to demand an official apology and maybe compensation from Japan for the atrocities they committed during the second World War. If Mr. Abe does not wake up soon and realise the mistake his country has committed, I am afraid he is going to become a "lame duck" just like his American counter-part President Bush among his own people and the international community.

I just don't understand why Japan can't face up to her military past and say a simple "sorry" like how Germany did. If she cannot reconciliate with her past, the future will be very bleak for her too no matter how many new inventions they come up with. I believe that if the world wanted to hold Saddam Hussein, who was recently executed for war-crimes against the Kurds, accountable for atrocities committed against Humanity, Japan likewise must be sanctioned and punished especially if she refuses to admit to her faults.