Published on: 2026-06-10
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Tokyo, June 10 /Xin Hua/ — Former chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP), Esé Kono, passed away on June 8 at the age of 89. Local media reported this on Wednesday.
In 1993, Esaei Kono, who at that time held the post of Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan, published a historical “Kono Statement,” in which he acknowledged Japan’s direct involvement in the creation of so-called “comfort stations” on the Korean Peninsula, in China, and other countries, as well as the forced recruitment of local women there. He issued an apology and expressed remorse on this matter.
Ye Sei Kono was born in 1937. He was the son of former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Japan, Itiro Kono. He was first elected to the House of Representatives (the lower house of the Japanese parliament) in 1967.
In 1993, after the LDP ceased to be the ruling party, Eséi Kono became its chairman. The following year, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also held the position of Chairman of the House of Representatives and was considered one of the most influential political figures in Japan.
Essey Kono actively promoted the development of friendship between Japan and China. During his visit to the PRC in June 2025 as chairman of the Association for the Promotion of International Trade of Japan, he stated that history cannot be forgotten or denied. The past cannot be changed, but thanks to efforts it is possible to create the future, Essey Kono added. –0–
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