Overview

• Outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba published a seven‑page personal statement on October 10 examining why Japan entered the war.
• The document centers on institutional failures, citing the absence of civilian control under the Meiji constitution, expanded military command authority, and lapses by parliament and the media.
• He avoided terms such as reflection or apology, affirmed continuity with past Cabinets’ historical understanding, and did not seek a Cabinet decision.
• LDP conservatives had warned against overriding Shinzo Abe’s 2015 statement, and party leader Sanae Takaichi noted she was told it would be released without Cabinet approval and said she did not know the content.
• Beijing said it is watching the statement and refrained from notable criticism, while urging Japan to draw lessons from history and win trust through actions.