Japan's gov't condemns ex-PM Hatoyama

TOKYO, February 15 (Itar-Tass) -- Japan's government has condemned
former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who doubted Tokyo's position at
talks with Russia on the South Kuril Islands.
"His idea may not reflect the official policies of the cabinet," the government's response to an application from a parliamentary deputy reads. The written response was published on Tuesday.
Earlier, Japan's Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara reprimanded Hatoyama publicly.
"I would appreciate if you refrain from expressing views different
from the government's position, even if they are of your personal
opinion," the minister said on February 7 at the budget commission's
hearings in the lower chamber of the parliament.
A week earlier, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said that it was not realistic to demand that all South Kuril Islands returned at a time.
"This would cause absolute mismatch of opinions at negotiations with
Russia," he warned.
When running the government, Hatoyama promised to achieve prompt
progress in the dialogue with Moscow about the South Kuril Islands.
However, experts say, in reality he was unable to initiate new ideas and
had to step out of his power quite soon, because his popularity was
declining, as he was accused of failures in the foreign and home policies.