Ex-abductee's brother blasts Japan's stance toward N Korea
Japan Today: 25 January 2009
“September 17, 2002, was a day of conspiracy. Japan and North Korea tried to sweep the slate clean,” Hasuike told the Asia Press Club, referring to the top-level meeting between former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
At that meeting, North Korea admitted abducting Japanese citizens in a state-sponsored program and agreed to return five to Japan. “The two sides signed the so-called Pyongyang Declaration which concluded five abductees were still alive and eight had died. That was a show by Japan and North Korea to normalize the bilateral relationship.”
Hasuike’s brother, Kaoru, was kidnapped by North Korean agents in 1978, and returned to Japan together with his Japanese wife in October 2002. In 2004, their children also returned to Japan after a second top-level meeting.
Since retiring from the association in 2007, Toru has continued to campaign for the release of further abductees believed to be in North Korea. He insisted that the families of the remaining abductees have so far been foiled by maneuvers from the government which wants to close the issue as soon as possible.
Hasuike said the government was just conducting a massive public campaign by creating TV commercials for advocacy and inviting foreign media to cover the issue. “Keeping the public informed of the issue is important. But it’s not the government’s main job. Their campaign trucks, for example, are like vehicles of right-wing campaigners.”
Hasuike said the government has manufactured an abnormal nationalism over North Korea. “They’ve created an enemy, and have got Japanese people shouting that North Korea is evil. Hating each other does not bring any positive results.”
Hasuike also pointed out that news media treat the families of abductees as taboo. “The media still feel guilty that they have not covered the issue. I think they’re having a brain freeze. What is important for us is to have an atmosphere in which we can have diversified opinions (on the issue) in society.”
Hasuike said he is now suspicious about politicians. “Some politicians organize research groups. But all of them take an extreme stance. None of them are moderate. Some politicians seem to believe they can obtain public support just by wearing blue ribbons.” He said he has no intention to become a politician.
Hasuike now thinks the abduction issue should be dealt with step by step while Japan and North Korea discuss normalization of relations. “I used to be called a ‘hard-line leader’ and requested economic sanctions to rescue other abductees. I now feel I did not have cool mind at that time but I have gradually changed my mind.”
Hasuike said Japan should not expect much support from the United States, and thinks the abduction issue is basically a bilateral issue between Japan and North Korea. “Americans are good at lip service. The U.S. would tackle the issue quickly enough if it were about its own people. Japanese politicians just want the U.S. to praise them.”
He suggested that Prime Minister Taro Aso hold a summit with Kim Jong-il.
Japan Today: 25 January 2009
TOKYO —
Toru Hasuike, a former vice representative of the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, on Saturday criticized the Japanese government’s policy toward North Korea over the abduction issue as well as media coverage of it. “September 17, 2002, was a day of conspiracy. Japan and North Korea tried to sweep the slate clean,” Hasuike told the Asia Press Club, referring to the top-level meeting between former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
At that meeting, North Korea admitted abducting Japanese citizens in a state-sponsored program and agreed to return five to Japan. “The two sides signed the so-called Pyongyang Declaration which concluded five abductees were still alive and eight had died. That was a show by Japan and North Korea to normalize the bilateral relationship.”
Hasuike’s brother, Kaoru, was kidnapped by North Korean agents in 1978, and returned to Japan together with his Japanese wife in October 2002. In 2004, their children also returned to Japan after a second top-level meeting.
Since retiring from the association in 2007, Toru has continued to campaign for the release of further abductees believed to be in North Korea. He insisted that the families of the remaining abductees have so far been foiled by maneuvers from the government which wants to close the issue as soon as possible.
Hasuike said the government was just conducting a massive public campaign by creating TV commercials for advocacy and inviting foreign media to cover the issue. “Keeping the public informed of the issue is important. But it’s not the government’s main job. Their campaign trucks, for example, are like vehicles of right-wing campaigners.”
Hasuike said the government has manufactured an abnormal nationalism over North Korea. “They’ve created an enemy, and have got Japanese people shouting that North Korea is evil. Hating each other does not bring any positive results.”
Hasuike also pointed out that news media treat the families of abductees as taboo. “The media still feel guilty that they have not covered the issue. I think they’re having a brain freeze. What is important for us is to have an atmosphere in which we can have diversified opinions (on the issue) in society.”
Hasuike said he is now suspicious about politicians. “Some politicians organize research groups. But all of them take an extreme stance. None of them are moderate. Some politicians seem to believe they can obtain public support just by wearing blue ribbons.” He said he has no intention to become a politician.
Hasuike now thinks the abduction issue should be dealt with step by step while Japan and North Korea discuss normalization of relations. “I used to be called a ‘hard-line leader’ and requested economic sanctions to rescue other abductees. I now feel I did not have cool mind at that time but I have gradually changed my mind.”
Hasuike said Japan should not expect much support from the United States, and thinks the abduction issue is basically a bilateral issue between Japan and North Korea. “Americans are good at lip service. The U.S. would tackle the issue quickly enough if it were about its own people. Japanese politicians just want the U.S. to praise them.”
He suggested that Prime Minister Taro Aso hold a summit with Kim Jong-il.
No comments:
Post a Comment