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On May 11, the DPJ held an International Reception at a Tokyo hotel to promote exchanges between Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps and DPJ Diet members. The meeting was attended by approximately 100 guests representing 58 countries and regions, and around 40 Diet members. The attendees engaged in convivial discussion while enjoying Japanese Sake and Shochu from around the nation, which had been assembled with the help of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, as well as sweets produced in Fukushima prefecture and other delicacies.
At the start of the reception participants observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Nepal earthquake. DPJ President Katsuya Okada, in his opening address, thanked the assembled guests for attending and expressed his appreciation in particular to the Ambassador of Nepal for participating in the reception despite the difficult circumstances facing his country. He promised that the DPJ would provide as much assistance as possible for the disaster.
Okada went on to state, “There are many issues to be dealt with during this Diet session. In particular, as Prime Minister Abe himself commented in his speech to the US Congress, the changes to the legislative framework for our security are the most sweeping in our post-war history. It is important for us to protect the lives and possessions of our citizens, and we must carry out thoroughly those tasks that are our responsibility. However, we came to possess our current Constitution due to our regret for the war that took place 70 years ago, and have chosen to strictly limit our use of force overseas. I am concerned that the proposed revisions will lead us to completely change this way of thinking.” Okada vowed to thoroughly debate the revisions in the Diet and ensure that Japan does not start down the wrong path.
Venezuelan Ambassador Seiko Luis Ishikawa Kobayashi then gave an address on behalf of the assembled diplomats, as the longest serving Ambassador present. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for both the reception and the DPJ’s exchange and discussion forum ‘Café Democrats’, which is held periodically to explain the party’s policies and philosophy to diplomats. He also commented on the DPJ’s time in government, saying, “The DPJ has had challenging times recently, but I’m convinced that under the able leadership of President Okada, the party will exert its vision for a prosperous Japan.”
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