Former Japanese lawmaker who issued 1993 apology dies at 89

Yohei Kono, a veteran Japanese politician who issued a landmark 1993 apology for the Imperial Army's wartime system of military brothels, died on Monday at the age of 89. His death came as he was reportedly planning a trip aimed at easing current tensions between Japan and China.

Kono, who served as chief cabinet secretary in 1993, released what became known as the Kono Statement. It was the first time the Japanese government formally acknowledged that women, many of them Korean, were recruited against their will and that the military was involved in the establishment and management of the so-called "comfort women" stations. The statement expressed sincere apologies and remorse, a move that defined his political legacy and remained a point of contention for decades. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Minseok offered condolences on Thursday, calling Kono "a rare Japanese politician who presented the principle of acknowledging history and moving to the future." Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also paid tribute, noting on Wednesday that Kono "endeavoured to build a relationship of trust with neighbouring countries" and "faced historical issues sincerely."