Press Releases
On the Passing of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Mr. Liu Xiaobo
(Statement by Foreign Press Secretary Norio Maruyama)
July 14, 2017
1. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences on hearing the news of the passing of Mr. Liu Xiaobo, who dedicated his life to freedom and democracy and was awarded the Noble Peace Prize.
2. The Japanese Government believe it is important that, as freedom, respect for basic human rights, and rule of law are fundamental values of the international community, these values should be guaranteed in China as well. Japan intends to continue to closely watch human rights conditions in China with strong interest.
3. We also believe that Mr. Liu’s wife, Ms. Liu Xia, should be treated appropriately from such perspective.