Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Difficult Situation over Caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad

"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)

Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Difficult Situation over Caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad

[Place]

[Date] February 6, 2006

[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

[Notes]

[Full text]

1. Japan expresses concern about the difficult situation over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in newspapers and magazines published in Denmark and other Western European countries.

2. Japan fully understands the distress felt by the Muslims at the publication of the caricatures. However, violence and vandalism are not acceptable for any reason. We urge all parties concerned to reduce tension and to refrain from any action or statement that might aggravate the situation.

3. Japan attaches importance to the promotion of mutual understandings through peaceful dialogue and mutual respect between people of different creeds and cultural traditions. This is why it has carried out various dialogues, such as the Japan-Arab Dialogue Forum, Japan-Middle East Cultural Exchanges and Dialogue Mission, Dialogue among civilizations between Japan and the Islamic World, and the World Civilization Forum.