Prior to the news conference, the chief cabinet secretary told a lower house budget committee session that he "remained unchanged in the understanding" of the written answer of the government submitted by the first-term Abe Cabinet that there was no evidence that the Imperial Japanese Army was involved in the recruitment of women.

Minju Joson in a commentary says in this regard Tuesday:

The Japanese reactionaries are now working hard to deny the contents of the Kono statement in a bid to bury the crimes related to the sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army into oblivion of history.

Referring to their real intention, the commentary says:

They are afraid that the revival of militarism after which they aspire is called into question and rebuffed at home and abroad in case they admit such heinous unethical crimes as those related to the sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army.

What they seek is to create conditions favorable for converting Japan into a war state again by denying or whitewashing the past crimes as much as they can.

They are not caring about decency as human being in a bid to attain their criminal purpose for the revival of militarism and overseas expansion.

They would be well advised to bear in mind that their evading the settlement of the past crimes will drive Japan into an abyss of ruin.

They must behave themselves, properly understanding that no one will pardon Japan for still refusing to settle the past crimes.