Nihon Keizai Shimbun,
April 22, 1998 (Tokyo's Wall Street Journal)
LDP Party Organ Publishes Apology to Soka Gakkai
LDP leadership reproved in Executive Committee meeting
An apology to Soka Gakkai, the main supporter of the former Komei Party, that was published in yesterday's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) organ, "Jiyu Shimpo," was the topic of heated debate in an LDP Executive Committee meeting held the same day.
Opponents of the apology such as Tokuichiro Tamazawa, LDP party organization headquarters chief, criticized the decision. But the LDP leadership, including Secretary General Koichi Kato, rejected their argument by claiming that "the apology was published because it was determined that the LDP stood on shaky legal ground (should the Soka Gakkai sue the party for libel)."
In the committee meeting, Mr. Kato reiterated that "my view-that a religious organization, should it dominate national politics, goes against the spirit of democracy-remains unchanged." Yet, he pointed out that "in the wake of the New Frontier Party's collapse, Shinto Heiwa and Komei (the two parties now supported by Soka Gakkai) have once again become political parties whose principal agenda is the pursuit of peace and social welfare."
Mr. Tamazawa took issue with the failure to consult religious groups who support the LDP on the matter. He said that the apology could be viewed as a means to secure political ends, and added the ruling party must make clear that the decision was not a capitulation to the Soka Gakkai. Takeo Hiranuma, LDP finance committee chief, also criticized the lack of consultations with party support groups. "We must explain our decision to our supporting organizations," he said.
Sankei Shimbun - April 22,1998
An LDP-Komei Alliance: Is It Imminent?
LDP Expresses "Regret" Over "Ikeda Issue"
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in the April 21 issue of party organ "Jiyu Shimpo," expressed "profound regret" over a series of articles on an alleged scandal involving Soka Gakkai Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda and a woman that previously appeared in the paper.
The move is widely believed to signal that an alliance of two political parties, the LDP and Komei [which the Soka Gakkai supports], may be imminent.
Nevertheless, parliamentarians of the former Komei Party [now split into two parties, Komei and Shinto Heiwa], while welcoming the news of an LDP apology that day, denied the possibility of closer ties with the ruling party. Meanwhile, some LDP members have also voiced criticism of the decision to apologize to Soka Gakkai. The issue of a possible LDP-Komei tie-up is thus assuming complexity with each passing day.
Jiyu Shimpo previously serialized an account of a lawsuit filed by a Hokkaido woman and former Soka Gakkai member who is seeking damages against Mr. Ikeda. On April 13, the Soka Gakkai delivered a letter to the LDP in protest. In response, Jiyu Shimpo's April 21 issue conceded that the articles "clearly contained excessive statements and content," and LDP Public Relations Headquarters Chief Kaoru Yosano expressed his "profound regret" over the affair.
Soka Gakkai organ "Seikyo Shimbun" also ran a front-page article, "LDP Expresses Apology," in its April 21 issue, which appeared along with an explanation of the dispute and Mr. Yosano's letter of apology received by the Soka Gakkai.
House of Representative members of the former Komei Party who now belong to Shinto Heiwa, briefed senior party officials on the turn of events on the same day. They arrived at a consensus that an LDP apology was "to be expected." Shinto Heiwa leader Takenori Kanzaki, in a press conference on April 21, welcomed the decision: "That an apology is in order was obvious. Because it was the Soka Gakkai that was protesting, the issue, as I see it, is settled."
However, Mr. Kanzaki blunted prospects of an alliance with the LDP by noting, "The only parties to this dispute were the LDP and Soka Gakkai, and so I feel that it carries no political significance." He emphasized that Shinto Heiwa will continue its policy of neutrality, cooperating with the LDP only in areas of common interests.
Meanwhile, at an April 21 meeting of senior LDP officials, Tokuichiro Tamazawa, party organization headquarters chief, complained: "Party organization headquarters wasn't consulted in this matter. I wonder if the party leadership considered the effect of their apology on the anti-Soka Gakkai religious groups (who back the LDP). It's questionable what the decision will do to their morale." He added that, "We have to make it clear that the LDP isn't seeking cooperation by capitulating."
Responding to the criticism, LDP public relations head Yosano explained the decision was not "politically motivated but because it could escalate into legal difficulties."
Mainichi Shimbun - April 22, 1998
Internal Flare-up Over LDP Apology to Soka Gakkai
LDP to make rounds defending decision to religious backers
An apology to Soka Gakkai published in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) organ, "Jiyu Shimpo," on April 21 was taken up in a meeting of senior LDP officials held on the same day. Critics such as Tokuichiro Tamazawa, party organization headquarters chief, noted that the move "can easily be interpreted as a maneuver to achieve political ends."
Behind the criticism is the suspicion that the apology was a strategic bid to expedite a possible ruling party alliance with parliament members of the former Komei Party (who are backed by the Soka Gakkai). With the Upper House elections approaching, LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato, fearing a backlash from other religious organizations who have abetted the party, personally called a number of groups to explain the situation. In addition, it was decided that Mr. Tamazawa would try to allay concerns of powerful religious supporters like Rissho Koseikai and Reiyukai through personal visits slated to begin from April 22.
The LDP apology was made over Jiyu Shimpo articles on a supposed scandal involving Soka Gakkai Honorary President Daisaku Ikeda and a woman.
In the ruling party's Executive Committee meeting, Mr. Tamasawa noted the LDP should have shown deeper consideration for the religious groups which have locked horns with the Soka Gakkai. The ruling party, he said with visible irritation, must make it clear that it wasn't capitulating to the Soka Gakkai in exchange for its cooperation. LDP Secretary General at House of Councillors Masakuni Murakami added, "We must explain the decision to our support groups at every possible opportunity."
Secretary General Kato, responding to the dissent, stressed that the apology was a means to prevent possible legal complications. "Up until last year, our battle with the [now defunct] New Frontier Party and Komei was a necessity," he said. "However, the apology decision was made by the Public Relations Headquarters Chief because he felt our legal position was on a vulnerable footing."