Japan’s new emperor remorseful in 1st war anniversary speech

$1.4 trln for infrastructure Modi trumpets Kashmir move in ‘Independence Day’ speech

MUMBAI, Aug 15, (RTRS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an Independence Day speech on Thursday that spotlighted a decision to remove the special rights of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir among the bold moves of the first 10 weeks of his second term.

Modi talked about his aim to turn India into a $5-trillion economy within five years, by spurring wealth creation, boosting exports and tourism, and spending 100 trillion rupees ($1.4 trillion) on infrastructure.

But he did not touch on sagging demand that has hit parts of the economy in recent months, especially the auto sector. Modi said special constitutional status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir had encouraged corruption and nepotism, while creating injustice for women, children and minority communities in India’s only majority-Muslim region.

“Today every Indian can proudly say ‘One Nation, One Constitution’,” Modi, speaking from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, said of the decision.

Critics of the policy say it will bring a backlash from Kashmiri Muslims, who had valued the previous ban on non-residents buying property in the state, part of which is claimed by Pakistan, and benefited from the reservation of state government jobs for residents.

In a clampdown in the region since the Aug 5 decision, authorities have cut internet and phone links, restricted movement with police roadblocks, and detained more than 500 leaders and activists.

Wearing a flowing bright saffron-coloured turban, Modi, who won a landslide election victory in May, also highlighted his government’s ban on some Muslim communities’ practice of allowing a husband to instantly divorce his wife.

Perhaps his most controversial announcement was the creation of a new post of chief of defence staff to ensure better coordination of India’s army, navy and air force, along the lines of Western military forces.

Defence experts have long called for such a post, recommended by a government panel in 1999, after India came close to war with Pakistan over Kashmir.

“To further sharpen coordination between the forces, I want to announce a major decision ... India will have a chief of defence staff,” Modi said.

However, he did not address the weakening economy and calls from industry for swift government measures to spur demand.

India’s growth rate has fallen to 5.8% for the three months ended March 2019, its lowest in 17 quarters, while research group CMIE estimates the jobless rate rose to 7.51 percent in July from 5.66 percent a year earlier.

Modi said he would invest 3.6 trillion rupees to improve water infrastructure and pipe clean water to every home.

Standing below a fluttering Indian flag, Modi urged a halt to use of single-use plastics, suggesting a phaseout date of Oct 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, regarded as the father of the nation.

During the last five years, Modi’s government has made it much easier to do business in India, he added, vowing to further streamline government procedure.

More small vendors should accept digital payments, Modi said, returning to a theme first spotlighted in 2016, when his government ordered an overnight ban of high-value banknotes.

Modi Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako bows before the main altar decorated with huge bank of chrysanthemums during a memorial service at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo 0n Aug 15. Japan marked the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP) Emperor Naruhito expressed “deep remorse” over Japan’s role in World War II in his first appearance at the annual ceremony marking the end of the hostilities.

The 59-year-old Naruhito is Japan’s first emperor born after the war, and his remarks Thursday closely followed the stance of his father, Akihito, who abdicated in May.

“Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated,” Naruhito said in a short speech at an event in Tokyo marking the 74th anniversary of Japan’s surrender.

Looking nervous and his voice slightly trembling, Naruhito pledged to reflect on the wartime past and expressed hope that the tragedy should never be repeated. Empress Masako, in a gray suit and a hat, quietly stood by his side, her head slightly lowered.

Naruhito has promised to follow in the footsteps of his father, who committed his career to making amends for a war fought in the name of Hirohito - the current emperor’s grandfather. Though Akihito has avoided a direct apology, he has subtly stepped up his expressions of regret over the past years in carefully scripted statements on the war.

In sharp contrast, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not apologize or acknowledge Japanese wartime atrocities in Asia and elsewhere. Instead, he made a long list of damage inflicted on Japan and its people, including the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, massive fire bombings of Tokyo and the fierce battle of Okinawa. (AP)