water down#2
日韓の慰安婦問題に関する記事です。この中に出てくる”water down”はすでに取り上げられていますが，その時は「〔法律・政策などの〕効果［効力］を弱める」という意味でした。今回の意味を『Wisdom英和辞典（第三版）』（三省堂）で調べると「（批判）の論調を和らげる」というものがありました。”water down”は「水の濃さを薄める」という意味があります。ここから「主張の強さを和らげる」という意味が派生するのだと思いました。（Ume）
Japanese lawmakers call for revision of wartime sex slavery apology
TOKYO —
Nationalist Japanese politicians urged the government on Monday to revise a 1993 apology over Asian women forced to serve in wartime brothels, saying accounts that tens of thousands of women were forcibly recruited were a “total lie”.
Any revision to the landmark apology by then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono would enrage Japan’s neighbors, China and South Korea, from where most of the “comfort women” were drawn. Both accuse Japan of failing to atone fully for aggression before and during World War Two.
The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which wants to bolster the military and be less apologetic about the past, has said it will set up a team to review the testimony of South Korean comfort women. But officials have been careful to avoid any mention of revising or watering down the apology.
