Japan shocked by Ajinomoto controversy in Indonesia
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.