|
On March 17, DPJ President Banri Kaieda held his regular press conference at party headquarters, and expressed his opinion on: (1) the recent meeting between the parents of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea, and their granddaughter and great-granddaughter, and (2) the end of the Sochi Paralympics and the situation in the Ukraine.
Kaieda commented on the meeting between the Yokotas and their granddaughter Kim Eun Gyong and great-daughter, held in Mongolia earlier this month, saying, "I believe that it was a good thing. As the Yokotas are saying, we must ensure that this meeting leads to the homecoming of all those abducted [by North Korea]." He vowed that "The DPJ also intends to do everything we can" to ensure that this is the first step toward securing the release and repatriation of all the abductees.
Kaieda also referred to the fact that a representative of the families of the abductees had attended a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council and made comments stating what a serious crime the abduction issue was. He stated, "I would like international opinion to fully take on board such voices." Kaieda also expressed his expectations for the meeting between the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea to be held on March
19 and 20, saying he hoped that it would lead to a resolution of issues such as the recovery of remains and visits to graves.
Kaieda went on to praise the Japanese athletes who had participated in the Sochi Paralympics, which had ended the previous day, saying "The Japanese official team really made a good show." He went on to comment on the situation in the Ukraine, in particularly the fact that the autonomous republic of Crimea had held a referendum, pointing out, "For the Crimean region alone to hold a referendum is at odds with the Constitution of the Ukraine and violates the fundamental principles of international law." He went on to say that "The Japanese government should liaise closely with the other members of the G7, toward obtaining a peaceful resolution", "We must stay in close touch with international opinion, and espouse international justice to ensure that territorial separation does not take place against a backdrop of military force."
|
