Japan Should Do More, D’Amato Says

ALBANY, N.Y. — Sen. Alfonse M. D’Amato criticized Japan on Monday as “greedy” and “repugnant” for not sending more money or troops to the Persian Gulf to join American forces against Iraq.

“They are acting totally within the character that they usually do,” D’Amato, a New York Republican, said of the Japanese. “They are motivated by profit, greed and avarice. For them not to step forward and make a substantial financial contribution to this mission is unconscionable.

“Theirs is an attitude that I think really is repugnant,” D’Amato said of the Japanese.

Officials at the Japanese Consulate in Washington said their country has pledged $1 billion in aid, mostly through transporting equipment to Saudi Arabia. They also said Japan stands ready with further economic help to Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.

“Instead of criticizing other countries, it is more important to strengthen our cooperation, and Japan is prepared to cooperate further with the United States,” said spokesman Noriyuki Shikata.