 |
 |
2010/10/31
Okada comments on Tochigi-related matters, TPP, Japan-China relations
|
 |
|
|
On October 31, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada spoke to reporters at a venue in Utsunomiya City. He was asked how the party intended to engage in the nationwide local elections in Tochigi prefecture, considering that there are still few incumbent local politicians from the DPJ within the prefecture. He responded, “I am fully aware of the fact that we face special circumstances in Tochigi, but we cannot win seats unless we field candidates to run for office.”
Okada had emphasized the importance of “opening up the country” in a meeting with residents of Tochigi prefecture, and he was asked whether he believed a conclusion should be reached about Japan’s participation in the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) before the start of APEC. He first pointed out:“what the Prime Minister is saying is that ‘we will consider participating in negotiations [for the TPP]’, and so the phrase ‘should participate’ is not being used” and went on to say that “In any case, this matter is still being discussed within the administration, and so I don’t think that it would be appropriate for me to express my opinion [now].”
A reporter commented that following the meeting between Prime Minister Kan and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Hawaii on October 30, he had the feeling that Japan was being played by China, and that Japan-China relations, which looked to have improved, seemed to be strained again. Okada answered: “The relationship between Japan and China is an important bilateral relationship that should not be swayed by individual issues, and therefore I believe that Japan should settle down and engage in calm discussion.”
|
|
|
| ▲このページのトップへ |
|
