Kato Katsunobu, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary, "Deeply regret this decision, demands swift removal"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government has expressed strong opposition, stating it is difficult to accept the move to permanently maintain the Statue of Peace installed in Berlin, Germany.
On the 2nd, Kato Katsunobu, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Office that the Mitte District of Berlin's decision to adopt a resolution for the permanent installation of the Statue of Peace is "very regrettable as it is incompatible with the Japanese government's position and previous responses."
He added, "We want to continue approaching various stakeholders to explain our (Japan's) position and simultaneously demand the prompt removal of the Statue of Peace."
Previously, Japan had been lobbying extensively to remove the statue, including Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu requesting its removal during a video call with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
The Mitte District had issued a removal order for the statue on October 7 of this year in response to Japan's persistent pressure. However, Berlin's civil society opposed this, and the local civic group Korea Council, which organized the installation, filed an injunction with the Administrative Court to suspend the removal order, leading to the order being put on hold.
On the 1st local time, the Berlin Mitte District Council held a plenary session and passed a resolution urging the permanent maintenance of the Statue of Peace.
The resolution also includes withdrawing the removal order and extending the original installation deadline from August 14 next year to the end of September next year by six weeks.
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