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Letter written in response to the article "Mori gaffe at Obuchi Funeral may hit LDP at the polls" in the Financial Times on 9 June 2000

By Mr. Kazuhiko Koshikawa
Deputy Press Secretary, Prime Minister's Office

12 June 2000

Dear Dr. Tett:

After reading your article appearing on 9 June in your distinguished newspaper entitled "Mori gaffe at Obuchi Funeral may hit LDP at the polls," I feel that the record needs to be set straight on the facts regarding the arrangements of the funeral for former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

I think it essential that your readers know that the funeral for former Prime Minister Obuchi was not organized in accordance with any particular religion. I personally do not believe that there is an established funeral etiquette in a non-religious funeral. Indeed, there was no official predetermination of the specific actions of the individuals who appeared on stage to offer flowers and make their final farewells. The Government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which jointly sponsored the funeral, did not take any position on specific details such as the number of bows to be made or other such matters.

I became concerned that your readers might be misinformed of the facts, and that is why I would appreciate it if you could set the record straight on this matter.