DPJ's Hatoyama backs Dalai Lama's Tibet plea

Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama expressed his support Friday for a call by the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet currently visiting Japan, for greater autonomy for Tibet.

The Dalai Lama chats with Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama during their meeting at a Tokyo hotel Friday. KYODO PHOTO

The remarks by the No. 2 man of the largest opposition party are expected to draw protests from China, which expressed "regret" when Japan allowed the Dalai Lama to enter the country. The Dalai Lama arrived in Japan on Nov. 15 for a 10-day tour at the invitation of a religious group.

The Dalai Lama told Hatoyama at their meeting at a Tokyo hotel, which was open to the media, that the "right hand" had reached out to "the Chinese central government," but nothing came of this, which is why "our left hand has to reach out to our supporters," referring to Europe, the United States and Japan.

Hatoyama, in response, said, "We would like to offer strong support to your left hand until your right hand is satisfied," referring to China's response.

Yukio Edano, a House of Representatives lawmaker representing a nonpartisan Diet group studying Tibetan issues, told reporters after meeting with the Dalai Lama, "A remark by a top leader of the House of Councilors' No. 1 party carries extreme weight."

The DPJ-led opposition camp controls the Upper House. Edano previously served as the DPJ's policy research committee chair.

On the day the Dalai Lama arrived in Japan, Liu Jianchao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters that China is opposed to any country giving the exiled spiritual leader "a platform to engage in separatist activities."

China criticizes the Dalai Lama for trying to split Tibet from the rest of China under the guise of religion, and asked Japan to refuse his visit.

But Japan gave the green light for the Dalai Lama's visit because Tokyo considers his activities religious.

The Dalai Lama says he merely wants greater, genuine autonomy to protect Tibet's religious and cultural heritage. He fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese invasion. China occupied Tibet in 1951.