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2009/07/07
Hatoyama comments on Uighur unrest, calls on Chinese government to “respect human rights and human lives”
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On July 7, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama held his regular press conference at party headquarters. At the start of the presser, he expressed his deep sorrow for those who had lost their lives in the torrential rain that had affected Wakayama Prefecture during the early hours of that day, and his sincere best wishes for those who had been affected and forced to evacuate following mudslides. He urged the government and administrative bodies to do their utmost to ensure that damage did not escalate any further.
Hatoyama also referred to the recent unrest that had occurred in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in China, resulting in a tragedy in which many lives had been lost, saying, “As an inhabitant of Asia, my heart bleeds. I would like the Chinese government to respect human rights and human lives.”
In response to a question regarding the DPJ’s response to proposed legislation relating to cargo inspections [in response to UN sanctions to be imposed on North Korea.], Hatoyama expressed the opinion that debate was necessary prior to receiving the approval of the Diet, and added, “The Aso government shows signs of being on its last legs. It seems necessary to debate and vote on this legislation at an early date. Our party fully intends to participate in the debate.”
In relation to this, Hatoyama pointed out, “In the process of establishing a new administration as soon as possible in place of the Aso government that has lost the trust of the people, and restoring the people’s trust, it is more important to debate each individual piece of legislation and achieve results, while respecting the will of the people, and I believe that will in the end be a short-cut toward [restoring trust.]”
Hatoyama also commented that there were no definite requirements for submitting a motion of no-confidence in the Cabinet, but said a decision should be made while paying close attention to public opinion, and the opinions of other parties, as well as the result of the Tokyo Metropolitan election.
When asked for his feelings regarding Russia’s criticisms of the passing of legislation amending the special measures law promoting the resolution of the Northern Territories Issue, which specified that the Northern Territories are Japanese territory, Hatoyama said, “The view that the Northern Territories are Japanese territory is one shared not just by the Japanese government, but by the Japanese people. The DPJ naturally also believes that is the case.”
With regard to visa-free exchanges, Hatoyama said these were a way of increasing trust at a time when both sides still had grievances to make, and added, “I don’t think that it is a wise decision for Russia raise objections over these kinds of issues.” He expressed the opinion that cultural and technology exchanges should not be stopped for the sake of the residents of the 4 islands as well.
With regard to his response to the political fund donations issue he currently faces, Hatoyama said that he had held a press conference in his capacity as an individual Diet member. He reported that 32 questions had been posed by reporters and that he, along with a lawyer, had endeavoured to respond to those questions as openly as possible, recounting the facts of the situation. He added that he was considering some way to convey to the public that a partial settlement of the issue had been achieved, and ask for their understanding.
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