THE SUCCESS of the Peruvian hostage rescue caused a mixture of celebration and unease in Japan yesterday.
The Peruvian security forces raid on the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima was carried out without consulting the Tokyo government and against its often repeated policy of seeking a peaceful solution, regardless of the time needed to achieve one.
Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto, the Japanese Prime Minister, appeared uncomfortable when he had to say that while he was delighted about the release of the hostages, he regretted he had not been informed in advance. The Prime Minister learned of the attack by television, said an official. Far from dancing in the streets, like the residents of Lima, Tokyo's residents carried on business as usual.
These contrasting images gave rise to unfavourable comparisons yesterday by several commentators between the decisive stance of the Peruvian government and Japan's tentative approach to handling this and other crises.
Mr Kenichi Ito, professor of international politics at Aoyama Gakuin University, accused Tokyo of failing to make a substantial contribution to lifting the siege. This was, he said, another example of "insubstantial ways of thinking about how to ensure national security that have prevailed in post World War Two Japan". The classic earlier instance was the government's initial reluctance to provide help in the Gulf War.
One woman captured the mood in remarking: "Japanese politicians talk a lot but don't make moves. Fujimori took the initiative."
Reuter adds from Bogota: Colombian President Ernesto Samper applauded the stunning end to the hostage drama in Lima, saying he would have acted just as forcefully to restore law and order and win the release of victims of terror.
What the embattled Colombian leader failed to mention is that a hostage drama in his own backyard is now well into its eighth month and there is no sign of it ending any time soon.
At least 60 soldiers were seized by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas - when they overran an army base in a remote area of south west Colombia last August 30th.
Efforts to negotiate their release collapsed in December, due largely to mutual antagonisms and deep distrust between the military and the FARC's 70 year old commander, Manuel Marulanda. Adding insult to injury, the FARC took 10 other troops hostage in January in north western Choco province.
Mr Samper and senior military officials have bridled at suggestions that efforts to win the release of the captives, most of them poor conscripts no more than about 20 years old, have been put on the back burner. But their ordeal, in what FARC leaders call an "impenetrable" jungle fortress, contrasts sharply with the plight of the high profile hostages rescued in Lima on Tuesday.