Japan's politicians have to face scientific uncertainty, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

しかし、都合が悪い時には政府は目をつぶり、マスコミも読み間違いは報道するが、こういう都合の悪い事実は報じない。

犯罪と科学捜査 (続) ―DNA型鑑定の歩み 科学のとびら (46)

Japan is right to doubt North Korea's every statement. But its interpretation of the DNA tests has crossed the boundary of science's freedom from political interference. Nature's interview with the scientist who carried out the tests raised the possibility that the remains were merely contaminated, making the DNA tests inconclusive. This suggestion is uncomfortable for a Japanese government that wants to have North Korea seen as unambiguously fraudulent.

The government has responded sharply to the article. At a press conference, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Hiroyuki Hosoda, reportedly alleged that Nature's article contained "inadequate expressions" and that it misrepresented the scientist's statements. The opinions expressed in the article were "general knowledge" but were not meant to apply to the case at hand, Hosoda said, adding that his statements were checked with the scientist. The scientist himself, meanwhile, is apparently no longer available for interviews.

The inescapable fact is that the bones may have been contaminated. Who knows what they have been through during this hellish episode? According to North Korea, the body was buried for two years before being dug up and cremated at 1,200 属C, and then kept at the woman's husband's home, before a small sample was passed to Japan. It is also entirely possible that North Korea is lying. But the DNA tests that Japan is counting on won't resolve the issue.