Media FQ
October 6, 2008
The New York Times Editorial "The Return of Taro Aso"
Q: The New York Times carried an editorial entitled "The Return of Taro Aso" on September 25, 2008, and criticized the Japanese Prime Minister for his stance on foreign policy. Has the Government of Japan responded to this editorial?
A: On September 26, 2008 (New York time), Press Secretary Kazuo Kodama, who was in New York accompanying Prime Minister Aso, conveyed his counterargument to Deputy Editorial Page Editor of The New York Times.
The Government of Japan also submitted a written response to The New York Times, which was printed as "letter to the Editor" in The New York Times on October 5, 2008. The below is the full text of the "letter to the Editor."
Japan's New Leader
To the Editor:
I disagree with your Sept. 25 editorial "The Return of Taro Aso," about Japan's new prime minister. Mr. Aso, as Japanese foreign minister from 2005 to 2007, greatly contributed to enhancing relations with China and South Korea in cooperation with his counterparts.
Regarding China, Mr. Aso devised and advanced the establishment of a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests that led to subsequent significant improvement of Japan-China relations. Li Zhaoxing, the former Chinese foreign minister, thanked Mr. Aso in Tokyo last month for his endeavors in achieving this.
Concerning South Korea, Mr. Aso strove to build a constructive, future-oriented relationship. In September, when he called on Secretary General Ban Ki-moon after his United Nations speech, Mr. Ban thanked Mr. Aso, recalling that their efforts and friendship as foreign ministers had been quite instrumental in resolving problems and improving bilateral relations.
As Japanese foreign minister, Mr. Aso strengthened Japan's equal partnerships with China and South Korea. Returning to the diplomatic forefront as prime minister, Mr. Aso articulated his pragmatic approach in his United Nations speech, with his core message of peace and happiness through economic prosperity and democracy.
Kazuo Kodama
Press Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tokyo, Oct. 1, 2008
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