Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday that he regrets comments made at a study session last Thursday by LDP members that called for placing financial pressure on news outlets.
"Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy, and we should show consideration for that. I regret it because comments against Okinawans' feelings were also made (at the session)," Tanigaki quoted Abe as saying.
Democratic Party of Japan Secretary-General Yukio Edano meanwhile criticized Abe on Monday, saying the biggest problem is that Abe took so long to address the issue.