In Japan, Fujimori Hailed for His Action

Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori became something of a Japanese hero today.

But Japan’s own government appeared to fall a notch in the public’s esteem. Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto admitted that he had not been informed in advance of the Peruvian plan for a surprise raid on the terrorists holed up with 72 hostages in the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Lima.

Under international law, the compound is considered Japanese soil.

While the families and co-workers of the 24 freed Japanese hostages rejoiced at their liberation after a 126-day ordeal, some Japanese faulted their leaders for consigning the captives’ fate to a foreign government.

“I’m very impressed with Fujimori’s strong will, but I don’t think the Japanese government dealt with this issue well,” said Kiyohiko Fujii, a 60-year-old retiree. “They left too much up to the Peruvians.”

“I’m so happy, and I have such admiration for Fujimori,” said Masatoshi Nishio, a 58-year-old pharmacist. He expressed sympathy for the Peruvians who died during the raid, but looked blank when asked about his government’s role in the crisis. “I don’t know exactly what the Japanese government was doing,” he said.

Kiyoshi Murakami, a 37-year-old Merrill Lynch employee, said he was not sure whether Hashimoto was truthful in saying that he was not informed.

“Saying he didn’t know means he doesn’t have to take responsibility. . . . That’s very Japanese,” he said.

Political analysts speculated that Hashimoto may secretly have given Peru tacit approval for police action to free the hostages--despite the Japanese government’s often-repeated desire for a peaceful, negotiated settlement.

On Feb. 1, Hashimoto traveled to Toronto to discuss the crisis with Fujimori, but the results of that meeting were never made public.

“Many people think Mr. Hashimoto gave Mr. Fujimori a free hand on this issue--or that he was forced to agree that it was Peru’s domestic matter,” said Kuniko Inoguchi, a Sophia University professor. “Probably there was an agreement there.”

Koichi Oizumi, a specialist in crisis management, noted that given the public’s aversion to violence, the prime minister might have been delighted to let Fujimori take the glory--or the blame.

“If Hashimoto had said, ‘Yes, I got a phone call and I said go ahead,’ there would have been a huge stink,” Oizumi said.

The Japanese and Peruvian governments might have been more inclined to approve a raid because of the deteriorating health of the hostages and a decision by rebel leader Nestor Cerpa Cartolini to limit doctors’ visits.

Both analysts said the Japanese public should not rejoice in the outcome of the crisis because of the deaths involved.

“It was not a fully happy ending,” Inoguchi said. “After so many days and so many failures, I think there was no other choice [but to storm the compound]. But in Japan, the death of any people is not welcomed.”