Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Japanese PM Addresses US Congress, Expresses 'Condolences' For WW2 Abuses

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has become the first Japanese leader to address a joint session of the US Congress.

Mr. Abe expressed his 'eternal condolences' for the American lives lost fighting Japan in the second world war, but stopped short of a personal apology, which some veterans' groups and activists had demanded.

Speaking after visiting Washington's World War Two memorial, Mr. Abe said he reflected on all those who died: 

IN: I stood there... 
OUT: ...that were lost 
DUR: 0.25 


Mr. Abe also spoke about the potential offered by the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal currently being negotiated between 12 Pacific nations:

IN: We must take... 
OUT: ...of any nation
DUR: 16 seconds


And despite the continued standoff between the US and Japan over tariffs on rice and car parts, Mr. Abe said the negotiators were closing the gaps:

IN: As for US...
OUT: ...joint leadership 
DUR: 17 seconds 


Mr. Abe also spoke about the new US Japan alliance guidelines which will allow Japan to take more responsibility for its own defence: 

IN: We now have...
OUT: ...defence cooperation guidelines
DUR: 23 seconds