TOKYO — Japan’s public security chief has come beneath hearth for his comment that he loved eel rice a lot that he saved consuming after his company knowledgeable him of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s slender escape from a pipe bomb assault two weeks in the past.
Koichi Tani, chair of the Nationwide Public Security Fee for Kishida’s Cupboard, informed a governing celebration gathering Tuesday that he had the native delicacy in entrance of him for lunch when the telephone rang.
“I used to be informed that we will eat scrumptious unagi (eel) rice bowl there, and I used to be actually trying ahead to it,” Tani informed celebration lawmakers. “Simply as I used to be going to dig into it, I obtained a name from the Nationwide Police Company saying one thing was thrown on the prime minister in Wakayama,” Tani mentioned.
“However I absolutely savored and completed … my unadon (eel rice bowl),” he mentioned, beaming.
Tani was within the Shimanto space within the southwestern prefecture of Kochi in the course of the assault — about 250 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of Wakayama, the place a person threw an explosive system at Kishida because the prime minister was about to make a marketing campaign speech to cheer an area governing celebration candidate. Kishida was unhurt and the suspect arrested.
The assault on the prime minister got here lower than a yr after former chief Shinzo Abe was killed whereas delivering a marketing campaign speech. The assassination investigation discovered holes in police safety and led to reinforcement of dignitary safety. Specialists, nevertheless, mentioned the assault on Kishida raised questions if any classes had been discovered from the Abe case.
Tani’s eel remark instantly sparked criticisms and concern at Parliament and on social media about Japan’s public security because the nation makes its last preparations for the Group of Seven summit that Kishida will host Might 19-21 in Hiroshima. Throughout a parliamentary session, some opposition lawmakers demanded Tani’s dismissal.
“As head of the Nationwide Public Security Fee, (Tani) lacks sense of urgency,” mentioned Jun Azumi, an govt of the primary opposition Constitutional Democratic Get together of Japan. “Isn’t this a adverse for the prime minister to have such an individual as chief govt accountable for Japan’s safety?”
However Kishida mentioned Tani dealt with his duties adequately and that he wished the general public security chief to remain on.
Chief Cupboard Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno additionally defended Tani. He mentioned the general public security chief, who was in Kochi because the catastrophe prevention minister, juggled each duties and gave ample directions to officers responding to the explosion in Wakayama.
“I additionally contacted Minister Tani and as soon as once more informed him to hold out his duties firmly,” Matsuno mentioned.
Tani later Wednesday informed reporters he wished to focus on eel as an area delicacy of the realm he visited, however that he had “poorly expressed myself in my temporary remark and might need brought about misunderstanding — and I need to take it significantly.”
“With the G-7 summit arising, I’m conscious of the significance of defending Japan’s public security, and I’ll perform my obligation with a way of alertness,” Tani added.
Kishida informed a bunch of overseas media journalists final week that he deliberate to enhance safety earlier than G-7.
Tani is the newest member of Kishida’s authorities to return beneath hearth over controversial remarks. In November, then-Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi resigned after saying his low-profile job solely makes information when he locations a stamp approving a loss of life penalty. In February, a Kishida aide was dismissed after making homophobic remarks that he didn’t wish to dwell subsequent door to or see LGBTQ+ folks.
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Related Press video journalist Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.
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