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2010/05/20
Hatoyama, Hirano comment to press
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On May 20, Prime Minister and DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama responded to reporters’ questions at the Prime Ministers’ Office. Regarding Futenma, he stated that he would clearly express his opinion on this issue during May, stating, “We are making every possible effort. I will express my thoughts to the people. I believe that I should express my thoughts during May.”
With regard to the sinking of a Korean military patrol vessel, Hatoyama said, “I support the Republic of Korea (ROK).” In addition to accepting the results of investigations conducted by the ROK, which found the sinking was a result of an attack from a North Korean torpedo, Hatoyama expressed the opinion that the situation in North-East Asia is extremely tense. He said that a meeting of concerned Cabinet members held that afternoon had been of one mind, saying, “We confirmed that the Cabinet would face this situation with determination.” He also added, “On the other hand, since it is this kind of [tense] situation, we should respond in a cool-headed manner.”
In a press conference held in the morning of that same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano announced that a meeting of concerned Cabinet members would be held from 12:20 to 12:50 that day, in order to receive the final report from the investigation team that indicated North Korea had been involved in the sinking of the ROK naval vessel. He also revealed that ROK President Lee Myung-Bak had spoken by telephone with Prime Minister Hatoyama the previous night.
Hirano expressed his opinion regarding the accuracy of the final report, saying, “It was produced with the inclusion of experts, so I believe it to be accurate.” He said that Japan’s response would be announced following the Cabinet meeting.
Following this, at just after 1 pm, Hirano opened a special press conference to announce a comment by the Prime Minister of Japan regarding the results of the investigation into the sinking. An English translation of the Comment is available on the Kantei website at:
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/hatoyama/statement/201005/20comment_souri_e.html
Hirano said that the Japanese government would continue to make every effort to gather information, that they would be preparing for every possibility and liaising closely with the ROK and the United States.
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