Japan shocked by Ajinomoto controversy in Indonesia

By Kornelius Purba

TOKYO (JP): The Ajinomoto case has attracted nationwide attention in Japan, not only from major media organizations, but also from politicians and the business community.

There seems to be growing concern here that the case could trigger anti-Japanese sentiment, not only in Indonesia but also in other predominantly Islamic countries.

Senior politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and opposition leaders from the Democratic Party of Japan, officials at the Prime Minister Office, and leaders of Rengo (Japan's Trade Union Confederation), have all expressed concern over the case.

They said the sensitive problems should be resolved delicately, and Japan should learn from the incident to ensure that such carelessness would not reoccur in the future.

"I am quite surprised with the Ajinomoto scandal. Such a scandal was unexpected. This is a religious matter and we should treat this carefully. I think Ajinomoto should solve the matter and improve the situation," senior LDP member Taku Yamasaki told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, at his office here.

Yamasaki is chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Legislators Friendship Association.

Saying that he was urged by many of the 1,800 Japanese companies operating in Indonesia to assist them in ending the uproar, Yamasaki pointed out that he would soon fly to Jakarta to meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid and other Indonesian leaders to discuss the matter. The trip is expected to follow a meeting scheduled with U.S. president-elect George W. Bush in Washington next week.

"I am afraid this scandal could trigger an anti-Japanese movement. Therefore we should solve this problem as soon as possible," said Yamasaki.

According to Yamasaki, Ajinomoto did not intentionally use an enzyme from pork in its products. The company's open confession of its error should be taken into account by the Indonesian government, he noted.

"Ajinomoto made a mistake. And this blunder was carried out carelessly. But there was no intention to use a prohibited material," Yamasaki remarked.

According to the politician, Japanese companies operating in Indonesia have a strong knowledge of Islam, although he acknowledged that most Japanese people generally do not know much about Islam.

When asked about the lessons that can be learned by Japan from the case, Yamasaki responded: "We have to deepen our understanding about Islam and avoid hurting the feelings of the Indonesian people. I would also like to advise Japanese companies who have some connection with Indonesia to study Islam, to ensure that a second Ajinomoto case does not occur".

Naoto Kan, a member of the Lower House from the Democratic Party of Japan, described the case an as a delicate issue. He hoped that the scandal would soon be resolved.

"Ajinomoto is facing a complex matter. I do hope that the controversy will be settled amicably," Kan told the Post at the party's headquarters.

Yukio Hatoyama, the Democratic Party of Japan's president, was reluctant to comment but could not hide his surprise over the controversy.

Officials at the office of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori refrained from making public comments, but emphasized that the office was closely following its development.

Major newspapers, including the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun, put reports on their front pages. Television stations, like public networks TV NHK and Fuji, also carried direct reports from Jakarta.

"The Ajinomoto case in Indonesia has sent shock waves through the country's Japanese business community, many of whose members are taking it as a reminder of Indonesia's religious sensitivity. But others say they see politics at work," wrote Asahi's Noboru Nagaoka from Jakarta in its Jan. 9 edition.