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Okada hopes Japan will participate more in U.N. peacekeeping missions

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Friday that he thinks Japan should be more active in participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations, showing disappointment over the current situation. Meanwhile, the minister said Japan cannot conduct peacekeeping operations for the International Security Assistance Force led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Afghanistan, because of Japan’s five strict principles associated with a law allowing the deployment of Self-Defense Forces and others for U.N. peacekeeping activities.

The Japanese law on cooperation for U.N. peacekeeping and other operations can be applied for activities that are controlled by the United Nations, and not for activities of multinational forces such as the U.N.-mandated ISAF, a Foreign Ministry official said. For dispatches in situations that do not meet the principles of the law, such as a cease-fire among the parties concerned, parliament is required to pass a special law for each deployment.

Okada calls for respect for culture amid criticism of dolphin hunting

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on Friday called for the need to respect each country’s culture or habits following criticism by environmental conservation groups and others of dolphin hunting in a western Japanese town. Dolphin hunting in the town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, has sparked criticism after the U.S. documentary film ‘‘The Cove,’’ which highlighted the issue, was screened in the United States, Australia and other countries.

Okada told a press conference he has not seen the movie himself, but nonetheless suggested there were some parts that are not true. But he also said, ‘‘Various things can be edible depending on each country...I would like (people) to understand that culture is diverse.’’ The Cove is among the films to be shown during the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival to start from Saturday.