Ozawa: Christianity, Islam 'exclusive'

KOYA, Wakayama Prefecture--In remarks that some people might find provocative, Ichiro Ozawa, secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Japan, said he considers Christianity and Islam to be "very exclusive."

"In that sense, Buddhism is a very open-minded and tolerant religion and way of thinking," Ozawa told reporters Tuesday.

He made the remarks after a meeting with Yukei Matsunaga, head of the Japan Buddhist Federation and chief priest of the Koyasan Shingon sect based on Mount Koyasan here.

Ozawa went on to say: "Civilization based on exclusive Christianity is reflected in the way Western society is stagnating."(IHT/Asahi: November 12,2009)