| Political pawns? Hijackers' daughters arriving in controversy |
|||
|
It is only days before three North Korean-born daughters of Red Army Faction hijackers "return" to Japan. But are they coming back through desire -- or as pawns?
Critics fear it is the latter. The three, Azumi Tanaka, 22, Ritsuko Konishi, 23, and Asaka Tamiya, 22, say they are looking forward to entering Japan, where they will live. Tanaka is the daughter of Yoshimi Tanaka, 52, who is on trial for his part in the 1970 hijacking of a Japan Airlines jet. Konishi was born to Takahiro Konishi, 56, who is on an international wanted list, while Tamiya is the daughter of the late Takamaro Tamiya, a former senior faction member. The daughters were born and raised in North Korea after their mothers moved there to marry the hijackers. In a supporters conference held in Tokyo on April 30, the day the Japanese Embassy in Beijing issued them with travel documents, the three were introduced via video as normal young women who liked Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki's songs and wanted to go to Tokyo Disneyland. They said they felt alienated in North Korea, where they have been living in political asylum. Others, however, have expressed doubt. Pyon Sin-il, the 54-year-old managing editor of Korea Report, says their return is politically motivated. "North Korea is behind this," he argued. North Korea is said to have freed itself from the worst of its financial situation, but it is also still thought to need urgent economic reconstruction. Analysts argue that support from other countries is needed. The United States, however, refuses to assist countries that support terrorism, and Pyon says the existence of Red Army members in the country has hindered aid from Washington. "It is possible that a basic agreement has been reached between North Korea and (the Red Army Faction) members to have them (the daughters) peacefully leave North Korea," Pyon said. "I imagine preparations have been made for this day." Writer Karin Amamiya, who has supported the daughters' entry into Japan, said they don't want to become political symbols. "They don't want to be used by activists in the country," he said. "I want them to be left alone after they return." The trio's entry comes after the 28-year-old daughter of Japanese Red Army founder Fusako Shigenobu acquired Japanese citizenship. The daughter arrived in Japan on April 3 from her home in Lebanon after obtaining citizenship in March. Public safety authorities fear it is possible the Red Army Faction could link with Japanese Red Army supporters in an effort to band the two groups together. The Japanese Red Army split from the Red Army Faction after an internal disagreement many years ago. "We cannot rule out the possibility that the two groups will link up again," a spokesman said. (Mainichi Shimbun) |
