The Japanese government's commitment to peacefully resolving the Lima hostage crisis probably saved many hostages' lives during the daring rescue mission, former Ambassador Morihisa Aoki said in an interview June 6.
"It was perfectly permissible to storm the embassy at any time and eliminate the guerrillas, whether or not the hostages were victimized," Aoki said in an interview in English with Inter-FM and The Japan Times. The interview was broadcast live.
"Thanks to the government of Japan's efforts, Fujimori had to alter his original ideas and make much more elaborate plans and strategies." Aoki added. Planning was critical, but the guerrillas' youth and inexperience was also a factor. Calling the young rebels "part-time terrorists," Aoki said "they hadn't been indoctrinated and were brainwashed by the hostages. They liked and respected us. I was told afterward that when the time came, some of them fought the commandos, but they couldn't kill us."