Excerpts from New Year's
Press Conference by
Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto

January 1, 1997
(unofficial translation)

Prime Minister Hashimoto: The disheartening incident that started with the December 18 attack on the Residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Lima, Peru, remains unresolved even now, after two weeks have passed. This state of affairs is painful to the extreme.

It truly grieves me to think of the hardships borne by the many people taken hostage, and of what their families must be feeling. I will continue and redouble the devotion of my utmost energies toward achievement of a peaceful conclusion to this incident at the earliest possible moment.

Since the beginning of this incident, the Japanese government has directed its efforts toward a peaceful conclusion, without surrendering to terrorism, placing priority on respect for human life, and maintaining close contact with the Peruvian government and others.

President Fujimori has, both in his communications with me and his statements directed at the international community, repeatedly made clear that his stance is one of doing the utmost to achieve a peaceful conclusion. We will continue to seek the immediate release of all the hostages with the backing of the international community. I sincerely request the ongoing support of the people of the nation.

Dealing with this incident is unquestionably of extreme importance to the government. At the same time, however, it must not be allowed to impede the conduct of the affairs of state. It is from this standpoint that I have decided, after careful consideration, to go ahead with my previously scheduled visit to the countries of ASEAN from the seventh of this month. Naturally, I am going to make absolutely sure that everything necessary in connection with the incident in Peru will be done in the interim. It has been arranged so that I will be able to receive contacts and reports from anywhere in the world during my travels, including when I am flying in the government special aircraft; the operational arrangements in Tokyo are already in place. . . .