Japanese deputy PM apologizes for latest controversial Nazi comments

One of Japan's top leaders has apologized for making controversial remarks about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Taro Aso, the country's finance minister and deputy prime minister, cited Hitler in a speech when discussing motives for entering politics.
"I won't ask you about the motive (of becoming a politician). What's important is a result. Hitler, who killed millions of people, was no good even if his motive was right," Aso told a group of political trainees Tuesday.
A day later, Aso apologized in a statement posted to the Finance Ministry's website.
"My intention was to point out that what matters most for politicians is to bring the best results," said Aso, who has previously held the position of prime minister. "I mentioned Hitler as an example of bad politician ... his motives were definitely wrong as a matter of course. My quotation about Hitler was inappropriate, and I would like to take it back."

Japanese deputy PM apologizes for latest controversial Nazi comments
By Joshua Berlinger and Yoko Wakatsuki, CNN

Updated 0403 GMT (1203 HKT) August 31, 2017
Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso at a G7 summit of finance ministers on May 12, 2017 in Italy.
Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso at a G7 summit of finance ministers on May 12, 2017 in Italy.
Story highlights
Taro Aso has a history of controversial public statements involving Nazis
The problem is omnipresent in Japan, Holocaust research organization says
Tokyo (CNN)One of Japan's top leaders has apologized for making controversial remarks about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Taro Aso, the country's finance minister and deputy prime minister, cited Hitler in a speech when discussing motives for entering politics.

"I won't ask you about the motive (of becoming a politician). What's important is a result. Hitler, who killed millions of people, was no good even if his motive was right," Aso told a group of political trainees Tuesday.
A day later, Aso apologized in a statement posted to the Finance Ministry's website.
"My intention was to point out that what matters most for politicians is to bring the best results," said Aso, who has previously held the position of prime minister. "I mentioned Hitler as an example of bad politician ... his motives were definitely wrong as a matter of course. My quotation about Hitler was inappropriate, and I would like to take it back."
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso (right) attend a budget dommittee meeting in parliament on July 25.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso (right) attend a budget dommittee meeting in parliament on July 25.
Aso has a history of making public gaffes and inappropriate remarks, including previous references to Nazis.
During the contentious 2013 debate on whether to amend Japan's pacifist constitution, which was written after World War II, Aso suggested that the country could learn from the way Nazi Germany revised the country's Weimar Constitution.
He later retracted the comments but refused to apologize for them or resign, saying they had been taken out of context.
That same year, he also suggested people on life support should "die quickly" to save the country money. He later said he was expressing a personal view that he would feel guilty if his life was prolonged on the government's dime.