April 9, 2010
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says his government remains committed to allowing public access to diplomatic documents related to a secret Japan-US pact.
Hatoyama referred to Friday's court ruling that the government should find and disclose materials regarding the secret Japan-US agreement on the 1972 reversion of Okinawa.
The prime minister told reporters that the court ruling is tough on the government but he intends to set a course of action after consulting with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
Takichi Nishiyama, one of the plaintiffs in the court action and a former journalist who scored a scoop over the existence of the secret pact, said he could not be happier.
He said the government has been trying to hide information, so the ruling was revolutionary in finally opening a window on the country.
Nishiyama said he hopes the decision will lead to major change in Japanese democracy.
Hisae Sawachi, an author who wrote a nonfiction novel based on the secret pact, said she deeply respects the courageous ruling.
She said the ruling was epoch-making as it could be Japan's "first step to democracy."
2010/04/09 21:58(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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