Why has Suzuki insisted on return of Russian-held 'Two Northern Islands?' -- Akahata editorial, March 9

A new suspicion emerged in relation to monopolizing foreign policy by Liberal Democratic Party House of Representatives member Suzuki Muneo to his personal benefit over the government support for the Russian-held Four Northern Islands.

In an Upper House Budget Committee meeting, Japanese Communist Party Acting Secretariat Head Fudesaka Hideyo exposed the collusive structure of the Assistance Committee for Russia. The Assistance Committee is in fact a network of vested interests in the form of donations in exchange for public works orders, between trading houses, the Foreign Ministry, and the Liberal Democratic Party and their agents who reciprocally hold executive positions after retirement.

Exposed was the fact that seven Russian outposts of the Assistance Committee were headed by former members of Japan's trading firms, and that these firms got orders connected with the support project, and in return donated enormous sums of money to the LDP.

Suzuki was apparently buying territory with money

The structural setup of the Assistance Committee indicates that the suspicion of using the Four Northern Islands support project as a means for concession-hunting is not limited to Suzuki Muneo but entails the whole of the LDP.

The other aspect which Fudesaka pointed out is that there is a suspicion that the call for the return of the Two Northern Islands (which Suzuki is eagerly advocating,) may be connected with his concession-hunting over Habomai and the Shikotan islands. This disclosed the danger that Dietman Suzuki's concession-hunting may shake Japan's foreign policy and national interests.

Former islanders of the Russian-held two Northern Islands told stories that there are moves to buy real estate in these islands, and Suzuki's name appeared as the one who induced owners into selling the land.

The "return of the Two Northern Islands" argument was referred to by Kanemaru Shin, LDP Takeshita faction leader, in April 1990. Kanemaru said, "Let's get the two islands returned as the first step, and I think that money can be used for it." People were scandalized at his remark.

If the politician advocating the "preceding return of the Two Northern Islands" is proven to have had a hand in buying the land on the islands, the reversion of which is uncertain, it will develop into a serious diplomatic problem.

Both Russian and Japanese staff in charge of territorial negotiations see the "preceding return of the Two Northern Islands" approach as closing the territorial issue. The approach will be taken as Japan giving up the other Two Northern Islands as Japan's territory. Suzuki is harming Japan's future national interests by seeking immediate personal profits.

Historically, Habomai and Shikotan islands are part of Hokkaido Prefecture; they were never part of the Chishima (Kurile) Islands until they were renounced by the Japanese government under the San Francisco Peace Treaty. By contrast, Kunashiri and Etorofu islands are part of the Chishima Islands, over which Japan claims territorial rights.

Stalin of the former Soviet Union is to blame for taking the Chishima Islands from Japan in contravention of the international principle of the postwar disposition: "territorial non-expansion." This is why the solution of the Russo-Japanese territorial question calls for correction of Stalin's mistakes as a prerequisite. Currying favor with Russia by taking such a humiliating and extraordinary attitude as offering economic assistance to Russia will not be able to help to accomplish the task.

LDP Dietmember Suzuki must disclose everything he discussed in his meetings with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

Prime Minister Koizumi in the Diet said,"If the allegation is true, that's not fair" and promised the JCP questioner that he would investigate into the suspicion.

However, when Suzuki's supporters established a "citizens' forum," saying that the demand for the simultaneous return of the "Four Islands" will not necessarily be the only option, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I would not stick to the simultaneous return of the four islands, if the ultimate reversion of the four islands is promised without ambiguity." Delighted at this statement, Suzuki said, "Prime Minister Koizumi has appreciated my proposal."

Prime Minister Koizumi must answer

Suspicions which have surfaced one after another are not matters that are concerned only with Suzuki.

The prime minister has done nothing more than tell the Foreign Ministry to investigate into the case. JCP Dietmember Fudesaka has pointed out that the Foreign Ministry's report contains grave errors and falshoods concerning the findings of the ministry's internal investigation into the allegations about Suzuki. Above everything else, the suspicions about Suzuki concerning the territorial question will have an important bearing on national interests.

If the Koizumi Cabinet is reluctant to disclose all the facts related to the allegations about Suzuki, the prime minister might well be held responsible for the affairs in question, along with Suzuki. (end)