Yukio Hatoyama - The Interview

One day Bill Bryant, Ron Condon, and I were talking that main opposition leader, and possible next Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama had not been interviewed yet by the mainstream media. I was set to meet Seiichiro Dokyu the DPJ candidate in Miyazaki District 2 that day at a press event in Nobeoka. I asked Mr. Dokyu how difficult it would be to get an interview with Mr. Hatoyama, and he replied “not very”. The next day to our amazement Mr. Dokyu called and said an interview had been arranged.
Although Mr. Hatoyama has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University, he is more comfortable speaking Japanese Mr. Dokyu told us. That meant Bill would have to do the actual questioning. I would basically be along for the ride and note taking.
Mr. Hatoyama is a fourth generation politician. His grandfather was Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, and his father was Lower House member from Hokkaido District 38, and a former Foreign Minister Iichiro Hatoyama. Mr. Hatoyama was elected to his father’s Diet seat in 1986. Currently Mr. Hatoyama represents Hokkaido District 9. Mr. Hatoyama was elected DPJ president in May after Ichiro Ozawa stepped down.
Japan Times Herald: Mr. Hatoyama, there are many problems facing Japan right now. Out of the problems which will be the first for you to address if you become Prime Minister?
Yukio Hatoyama: First, will have to be the economic situation. Under Prime Minister Koizumi cuts to social programs have had disastrous consequences. Elderly home care programs, emergency medical services – such as emergency patients dying because hospitals could not take them, reflect this. We need to shift tax money from the standard infrastructure programs and to programs that touch daily lives.
Second, we need a restructure of the taxation system. The consumption tax is complex, and local governments do not receive a fair portion. We need to separate an income tax and a social security tax. The tax system is archaic and is in need of reform.
Finally, we need to sit down with the USA and renegotiate the base realignment issue. Both sides need to pay a fair price and share the burden equally. We need to make clear that we stand behind Article 9 and also constitutionally following “Not possessing, not developing, and not allowing nuclear weapons on Japanese soil”. Out of this, we will disclose publicly the secret agreement from 1960 that allowed US Navy ships carrying nuclear weapons to dock in Japanese ports, and also reveal publicly the contents of the 1972 secret agreement concerning Okinawa.
JTH: What about the new foreign registration system?
YH: We have stood fiercely against the new system until we were able to work out a compromise bill. At stake was relieving pressure from the local government and centralize the responsibility to the national government, where it belongs.
I understand the concern about the new cards. They have IC chips and people are afraid that remote readers can steal their information. This technology is expensive and also available legally only to law enforcement. Is there 100% security, no, but there is no 100% security in any system. People will find a way to be dishonest.
I carry credit cards that have IC chips, and I also have an IC chip in my passport. We live in world that IC chips are becoming a standard. I believe, as do the security experts we heard from the cards will be more secure than a credit card.
I think the issue is change. Any time there is change many respond in fear and I think that is the case here. I believe in time we will see that the fears were unwarranted. We are committed to protecting privacy.
JTH: Since we are talking about foreigners, what will the DPJ do to assure rights of the foreign population?
YH: We support foreign spouses having the ability to register on the family registry of their spouse if they so desire. Currently foreign spouses are not allowed to do so and this is nothing but discrimination. The Basic Resident Registration Law needs to be amended to allow foreign nationals to register.
We need to enact laws that illegalize discrimination in housing, employment, and advancement. We must assure that equal rights of all people in Japan are assured and protected. Also, we need to enact a hate crimes law. We have supported these efforts for a very long time. We have included this commitment in our party platform available both in text and online
JTH: As you know, unless a law is enforced then it means nothing, will there be enforcement guidelines as well?
YH: Excellent point and yes there will be. Many times now laws are passed and there is no enforcement guideline, so yes, there will be.
JTH: Are there any reforms to the criminal justice code planned?
YH: We support the video and audio recording of all police interrogations to assure that confessions are not gained through force or intimidation. In this is the predisposition of evidence over confession in criminal proceedings.
JTH: Would courts be given the power to enforce judgments?
YH: I believe so, and there is much that needs to be reformed all the way around. We have plans for an almost complete overhaul, and it has been needed for quite a long time. That is one of the criticisms we face from the current LDP – New Komeito coalition.
JTH: On this topic, as you know Japan is the only G8 nation not to ratify the Hague Convention. There has been talk of doing so in 2010. Will the DPJ do so?
YH: Yes we will and we have pushed for this but have been fought back by the LDP continually on this topic. I understand the issue and we have been briefed on the many cases involving Japanese spouses violating other nation’s court orders and brining the child to Japan. So, yes we support this effort to ratify the Hague convention.
Daniel: I have some questions from the fathers affected, and photos of their children. Would you please look at them?
(Mr. Hatoyama reads the questions and looks at the photos)
YH: May I keep these?
Daniel: Please do.
YH: My heart goes out to the fathers, and mothers. There are cases of mothers as well. We support ratifying and enforcing the Hague Convention, and involved in this is a sweeping change to allow divorced fathers visitation of their children. That issue affects not just foreign national fathers, but Japanese fathers as well. I believe in this change.
We have been condemned by the USA, Canada, the UK, and France over this and I firmly believe we need to change things as I mentioned. The effect will be Japan coming into this century. We need to be clear though, these changes will take time. A very strong cultural change shifting from maternal primacy over the children is needed as well. I think we have already seen the beginning of this, but a change in laws is not the sole solution.
JTH: Does this include abiding by the court orders of other nations?
YH: It does, as long there is reciprocal agreement to recognize Japanese court orders.
JTH: As you know no child has been returned to a foreign parent even with a foreign jurisdiction awarding custody before the abduction, do you support efforts to change this?
YH: Again, as long as Japanese courts are reciprocated then yes. Again, I need to be clear that changes of this nature will take time. Do I support it? Yes, but the changes to the legal and cultural structures will take time. Will there be opposition? I am sure, but things need to change not just to improve Japan’s image, but for the sake of justice. That really is all I can say.
JTH: You have been criticized inside and outside your party for supporting lowering the age of majority to 18. Can you respond to this?
YH: Well, there is all this talk how the younger people of Japan have no connect to Japanese society. I believe it is because they must wait to become 20 to be a part of it, if we give voting rights to 18 year olds then that will help. This is not the only solution, but a part of it. I would like a bill submitted to the Diet after this next election.
JTH: One last question, will you be the next Prime Minister?
YH: (laughs) I don’t know. I am doing my best, and I think results in Nagoya, Saitama, Shizuoka, and Tokyo point to the fact that the LDP is in trouble so we’ll see. (Ends)
Yukio Hatoyama is relaxed and confident. He appears to be a man who understands the issues and what is at stake if Japan does not make necessary changes and revisions. If the DPJ is to hold onto an election victory next month then the DPJ must not become just a replacement for the LDP. The DPJ will have to become a real alternative to the LDP. More importantly, the DPJ will have to avoid the mistakes the LDP made. These include not forming connections with right wing groups like Japan Conference and Issui Kai like the LDP did, and not arrogantly dismissing the will and wishes of the public. Yukio Hatoyama is a politician and time will show if he actually fulfills his promises, or if he does not. That choice is up to him.
Over the next few days we will cover the issue of betrayed fathers. These fathers have been separated from their children by their Japanese wives and families. We will carry their stories, and also look at the political and legal dimensions of this issue.
China Asserts Primacy on Territory Disputes
By Ron Condon
China has raised concerns over its territory disputes with Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines by announcing its claims are more legitimate given the fact that all territory in dispute was Chinese since ancient times.
China’s Foreign Ministry brushed off US Senator Jim Webb’s comments that China was unwilling to bargain saying, “There is nothing to negotiate considering every claim involves territory that was Chinese since ancient history.”
Involved in the disputes are the Paracel Islands which China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines have claims over. The Senkaku Islands which Japan says was returned to Japan when the US returned Okinawa in 1972, which gave Japanese sovereignty to Senkaku in the same treaty. Taiwan also holds a claim on the Senkaku calling them Tiaoyutai.
Involved is industry that China desperately needs including fishing, petroleum, and development. Many foreign policy experts say this is the heart of the issue. China needs these industries to help maintain its hegemony in the region.
Sen. Webb has suggested that the US keep a strong maritime presence in the region to help prevent any clashes among the nations. Sen. Webb is the ranking member on the Asia-Pacific Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Senkaku have been under Japanese administrative control since 1972, but China counters, “Historical fact of our right is not undone by later claims.” China strongly protested Prime Minister Aso’s statements in February criticizing China’s claims in February. Japan is also deeply involved in claims against Russia over four islands in the Kuriles which Japan claims are an “indisputable part of Japan’s sovereignty.”
It is expected that the issue will be brought before the United Nations for a decision, something China has been unwilling to do before. Foreign policy analyst Hitomi Sakaguchi says, “Since China recently backed sanctions against North Korea, China hopes to have favors returned in territory claims in the UN.”
Sumo Sunday – Day 8
By Doug Cook
Yokozuna Asashoryu was handed his first loss by Kisenosato. Yokozuna Hakuo easily bested Iwakiyama. Ozeki Kotooshu remained perfect by defeating Baruto. Takamisakari is on a roll, and evened his record to 4-4 by defeating Toyohibiki. All eyes were on Harumafuji as he denied Tochiozan his first win in a match Harumafuji had difficulty with but won.
The old man Tom Watson referred to himself as a geezer today, and said he had hopes of winning the British Open as he took the lead. Let us not forget that geezer owns one of the finest courses in Japan, the Tom Watson Phoenix Golf Club in Miyazaki. Great player, and great course.