Japan`s LDP Lawmaker Makes Another Gaffe

Takami Ito (77), influential politician of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Management and Coordination, made a gaffe claiming the legitimacy of colonial rule and bluntly condemned illegal immigrants from China and South.

“Japan`s 1910 annexation of the Korean peninsula was based on a mutual agreement and was accepted internationally. Why is it called ‘colonial rule’ 90 years later?,” said Ito, who is serving his 10th term in the lower house, during an event held by the LDP in Hukui City on Sunday. His argument, however, does not make any historical sense, as the annexation had occurred before the League of Nations was launched.

He also claimed that security measures should be made to prepare for a flood of refugees who would come across the East Sea in case of a war breaks out in the Korean peninsula. In addition, he argued that Korean and Chinese illegal immigrants are criminals, claiming, “Recently, groups of illegal immigrants from China and Korea have been committing robberies in Japan.”

“Kabukucho in Shinjuku, Tokyo is a lawless district ruled by people from third nations,” Ito said. “There are about one million thieves and murderers there, and they are responsible for domestic disturbances in Japan.”

His October 1996 remark, “Japan also did quite a lot of good things for Korea during the Korean peninsula occupation,” led to his resignation from his post as minister for management and coordination. He is now head of the “Etogamay faction” in the LDP.

parkwj@donga.com