[On the Murayama Statement] The government’s interpretation lacks specificity about what violations of international law in what past wars the nation was reflecting on and apologizing for. Above all else, I doubt whether the present government is qualified to be the key actor reflecting on and apologizing for the state’s past intentions.
It is easy to use modern values and information to determine that “colonial domination was wrong” or ask ‘‘why did Japan launch an unwinnable war against major powers?’’ But if ceding territory based on a bilateral treaty is a crime, then European countries and the United States also would have to face up to this matter as criminal states. Furthermore, I think there is no politician who could confidently propose “another correct option” Japan could have taken at a time when it faced a life-or-death situation due to the blockade of resources.
There is no nation other than Japan that advocates a “national responsibility” in which just being born as a Japanese is a crime.
This government view will provide fertile grounds for self-torturing content in Japan’s history textbooks and unjust demands from China, South Korea and North Korea.
I hope the next Cabinet will announce a new view in accordance with the national interest.

https://www.sanae.gr.jp/column_details329.html