Pressure mounts on Japanese lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama, who drank 10 glasses of cognac before suggesting war with Russia over disputed islands
- The lawmaker made his remarks in May, during a visit to one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticised the comments but dodged a question about whether Mauryama should quit
The resolution against opposition lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama came after the government verified his remarks and problematic behaviour when he participated in a visa-free exchange programme between Japan and Russia in May.
On a visit to one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, the 35-year-old lawmaker – who had been drinking heavily – asked the leader of a group of former Japanese residents: “Do you think there is any alternative to war [to recover the islands]?”
The resolution is expected to be adopted by the lower house on Thursday, with ruling and opposition parties seeking unanimous approval. However, the motion is not legally binding so it is up to Maruyama to decide whether to quit the House of Representatives.
At a plenary session of the House of Councillors, Abe said the remarks “totally differ from the government’s policy that aims to seek resolution with diplomatic negotiations”. But Abe dodged a question about whether Maruyama should resign, saying: “I will refrain from responding to it.”
The government has confirmed that Maruyama went to the home of a Russian family on Kunashiri Island, off Hokkaido, on May 11 and drank more than 10 glasses of cognac.
After returning to his lodging, he also made such remarks as “Are those places with neon signs bars? … Are there women?” and “I want to go out to grope breasts.”