No tolerance to terrorism -- Akahata editorial, September 11A suspicious object believed to be an explosive was discovered on September 10 at the house of Deputy Foreign Minister Tanaka Hitoshi, a key negotiator in talks with North Korea, including the 2002 Pyongyang summit. Two newspapers had received phone calls informing them that the bomb was planted at Tanaka's house. Fortunately, the device did not explode but whoever the criminal was and whatever his or her reason, it was an unforgivable terrorist act.
Later in the day, Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro, speaking in Nagoya City, stated, "(The case) was the matter of course."
Not only as the governor of Tokyo but also as a citizen of a law-governed country, Ishihara's remark must not be condoned.
No tolerance to crimes
Ishihara has been critical of Deputy Foreign Minister Tanaka's stance on negotiations with North Korea, saying that Tanaka is under North Korea's thumb. This was why Ishihara showed tolerance toward the bomb incident at Tanaka's house.
Clearly, to place an explosive device at someone's house to threaten the resident is a criminal act. Even if a person is critical of Tanaka's stance on North Korea as a senior official, it cannot be used as reason for such a crime to be committed.
Nothing can justify such an act that could involve not only Tanaka's family but also their neighbors.
A Tokyo governor is a public official who is responsible for the safety of residents. Tolerating the incident threatening the safety of residents, Ishihara's qualification for governor should again be called into question.
Governor Ishihara has focused on security problems, with a full-time vice-governor specializing in public security. However, he had no hesitation in siding with such a serious crime. It is obvious that citizens of Tokyo cannot entrust this governor to deal with public security.
To respond with violence or terrorism because of a dislike of someone's behavior contradicts the notion of democracy. The rule of law never gives way to such behavior.
Tolerating the wrongdoing is just short of taking part in the criminal act itself.
Governor Ishihara showed sympathy for the criminal act during his speech in favor of Kamei Shizuka, a candidate for president of the Liberal Democratic Party. Kamei must answer properly to the public whether or not he also takes sides with the criminal act.
Ishihara gave his consent to the criminal act while referring to the political stance of Deputy Foreign Minister Tanaka Hitoshi in negotiations with North Korea.
If Ishihara wants to criticize Tanaka's posture towards North Korea, he should boldly discuss this in public. How can it be possible for a governor to condone the terrorist act rather than denounce it? His sense of democracy itself is in question.
Cleanup of terrorism and violence
Police suspect that the bomb set at the home of Deputy Foreign Minister Tanaka was possibly made by the same criminal syndicate involved in creating a series of incidents against the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun).
Of course, further police investigation is necessary find out the facts behind these incidents. No matter what the purpose is, resorting to violence or terrorism is totally unacceptable.
Let's work together to build a society in which we can feel safe from terrorist violence. (end)