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On November 17, DPJ Diet member Azuma Konno questioned Prime Minister Naoto Kan regarding his report on the APEC meeting during the plenary session of the House of Councillors. Konno said that the relationship between Japan and Asia still faced severe difficulties relating to historical issues, and asked the Prime Minister for his thoughts on the construction of an East Asian Community.
Kan replied, “It is essential to strengthen various relationships in order to aim for a forward-looking East Asian Community. I believe that we must patiently unravel the knots of our past history.”
Konno asked Kan to summarise the impact of the various meetings he had held with the leaders of the United States, China and Russia. Kan responded that the meetings had been “extremely fruitful”. In the meeting with US President Obama he said that they had agreed to unveil their vision for a 21st century alliance during the visit he is planning to make to the US in the first half of next year. He added that in the meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao he had emphasized the importance of developing a mutually beneficial strategic relationship and clearly stated that the Senkakus were Japanese territory. As for the meeting with Russian President Medvedec, Kan stated that he had issued a clear protest regarding the President’s visit to Kunashiri Island, and that they had agreed to continue discussions between the leaders of the two countries, including those on territorial issues.
Konno then asked Kan how he intended to deal with the opposition to the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) within the Cabinet and the DPJ. Kan replied that he would make a decision regarding discussions with the countries concerned and participation in negotiations that would include reference to adjustments in the domestic environment [necessary to prepare for entry].
Konno then asked Kan for his opinion of the national consciousness on this issue, saying that it needed to be handled carefully and explained thoroughly to the Japanese people. Kan answered that “The issue of the national consciousness is an issue that [each nation] must treat carefully.” He went on to add that what is important is that we should try to understand each other and to be a good neighbour, and said that ‘it is essential we develop relationships through liaising closely with each other.”
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