Japan and Gulf Crisis

I read with incredulity James Risen’s article “Japan Envoy Blames Gulf Crisis on U.S.” (Part A, March 20).

After Tuesday’s Washington press briefing on Japan’s foreign aid, I responded to Risen’s question regarding Japan’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil and the adequacy of Japan’s contributions to the coalition’s efforts. At no point in my response did I “blame the crisis” on the United States, nor did I accuse the United States of “spawning the crisis by refusing to learn how to conserve energy.” It is obvious that the crisis was caused, not by U.S. conservation policy, but by Iraq’s naked aggression against Kuwait.

MASAMICHI HANABUSA

Ambassador, Consul General of Japan

New York