Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
the problem with Saddam Hussein, which France was unwilling to deal with
because of its own oil interests, as well as the new security situation that had
arisen after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. In his words,
we must
face this reality rather than gauging the situation from a particular standard,
which does not mean we can deny that America is reacting strangely
'
.He
believed that the complexity of the situation, which made this measure,
'
'
we
are against
'
and
'
we are for
'
, a trade o
. This he regarded as being the prin-
ciple of
(genjitsushugi). To my comment that from the outside it
looked like Komeito agreed to the war, Arita was adamant that:
'
realism
'
Komeito did not agree with the war; this is the fundamental starting
point. However, as you just said, it looks like Komeito went along with
right-wing views. That is a problem. Komeito and Soka Gakkai are two
di
erent again. Soka Gakkai is, as you know,
an organisation, which upholds the principles of peace and humanism
based on the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin under the leadership of
President Ikeda, and has high ideals. Of course, this is the standard of
Soka Gakkai members. This time within all these di
erent entities. And Ushio is di
erent political
situations, how to judge this is the problem.
(conversation with Arita, 15/03/2004)
He then went on to criticise the opposition parties, giving the example of the
Communist party which, although against the Iraq War, had taken no action
apart from sending a fax to their members stating that they were against the
war. On the contrary,
Komeito went to see Kofi
Annan of the UN, and Armitage in New York,
and of course both Toyama-san and Hamayotsu-san were in Iraq until the
last minute before the war broke out [trying to
find a diplomatic solu-
tion]. Komeito was also trying to get various Middle Eastern neighbour-
ing countries to do something to stop the war. There were questions from
the French Embassy asking the Japanese why the press did not cover such
activities. Moreover, Komeito tried to talk to the US Consul, anti-war
France, as well as To
cials from the Middle East. To do things like that is
not the character of the Japanese government. Now I might have men-
tioned the example of the Communist party, but Minshut - is the same;
this is my personal opinion anyway. The starting point of Komeito was that
they were against the war, and they took action because they were against
the war. Although it may have been limited what they could do, it is
commendable
If this is not made clear, it looks like a vague coalition.
The LDP stressed the importance of the Japan
US alliance, and from the
beginning they supported the war. So it is from this starting point that
Komeito is taking action. It is within this situation that such moves have
to be evaluated.
-
(ibid.)
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search