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On October 13, Prime Minister (DPJ President) Yukio Hatoyama responded to reporters’ questions at the Prime Minister’s Residence. He referred to the government’s basic stance on the issue of moving the US airbase at Futenma in Okinawa prefecture and to the question of providing refueling support off Afghanistan.
A reporter questioned whether Hatoyama, during a meeting with DPJ House of Councillors member Shoichi Kina that had taken place earlier that day, had asked if there were any alternative sites for the base within Okinawa prefecture. Hatoyama responded, “It goes without saying that when considering the issue of moving Futenma we must place most priority on the wishes of Okinawan residents.” He went on to say that during their discussion Kina had referred to various alternative sites, but stated that “I myself did not ask him (for this information).”
He added, “I may be repeating myself, but the most important thing is to respect the wishes of Okinawan residents. They have suffered greatly for many years, and so our priority is to consider how to lighten the burden placed on residents of the prefecture.”
Asked about the provision of assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of Foreign Minister Okada’s visit to that country, Hatoyama said, “I myself have visited Afghanistan twice and met with President Karzai, but there was never any request for refuelling assistance on those occasions. In other words, we have to consider what is necessary for Afghanistan. We have confirmed that the government of Afghanistan does not necessary have a strong feeling regarding refuelling assistance.” He stressed that the Japanese government would ascertain the intentions of the Afghanistan government and then provide assistance.
+Hatoyama went on to say, “However, on the other hand, Pakistan is engaging in operations [off Afghanistan] thanks to refuelling assistance provided by Japan. We need to consider what to do, including such issues, but the important thing is to consider how Afghanistan can develop and be stabilized both economically and politically.” Recognizing the reality that trying to suppress terrorism through force will only lead to it spreading still further, Hatoyama stressed that there was a need to seriously consider the form in which Japan could contribute to Afghanistan. He cited as one example the idea of providing assistance in rehabilitation efforts by implementing jobs skills training for Taliban fighters, and added, “We will work out what assistance is most expected, and what policy direction is most called for from Japan.”
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