Japanese Foreign Minister is the Great-great-grandson of Ito Hirobumi
South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper has an article up this morning that focuses on how Japan’s new Foreign Minister is the great-great-grandson of Ito Hirobumi, one of the founding fathers of modern Japan (who also happened to be the Resident General of Korea from 1905 to 1909):
Matsumoto’s mother is Hirobumi’s great-granddaughter. Although he is not a direct descendant, Matsumoto’s family ties to Hirobumi, considered by Koreans a major symbol of the brutal colonial occupation, could ruffle some feathers. Matsumoto is aware of the fact and has apparently asked whether it would be better for him to admit that he is related to Hirobumi when meeting Korean government officials.
With a law degree from Tokyo University, Matsumoto was first elected to the lower chamber of the Diet in 2000. His appointment is being viewed as atypical due to his short track record as a politician. He is apparently a centrist and opposed to paying homage to Japan’s war dead at the militarist Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the remains of convicted war criminals.*
The Joongang Daily has pointed out that Matsumoto has been supportive of Korean requests for information about the burial place of the assassin who gunned down Ito:
During his time as a legislator, Matsumoto offered to uncover information about Ahn Jung-geun – a Korean independence activist who assassinated Hirobumi in 1909 – and share it with Korea.
Whether he will follow up on his words will have to be seen because Matsumoto has plenty of work to do as foreign minister.
The focus on the actions of distant ancestors may seem absurd, but such issues are still relevant in South Korea. Last year, the South Korean government took action to punish descendants of people who cooperated with Ito Hirobumi and the Japanese, confiscating their property on the basis of “crimes” that occurred over 100 years ago.
[Note: The Chosun Ilbo is incorrect about the "remains" of war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine only "houses" the intangible spirits of people who have been enshrined there. There are no physical remains.]
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