Definition: In this task, you're given a statement and three sentences as choices. Your job is to determine the neutral choice based on your inference from the statement and your commonsense knowledge. The neutral choice is a sentence that neither agrees nor disagrees with the statement. Indicate your answer as '1', '2', or '3', corresponding to the choice number of the selected sentence. If sentence X agrees with sentence Y, one's correctness follows from the other one. If sentence X disagrees with sentence Y, they can not be correct at the same time.
Input: Statement: Asahi Shimbun added that if Japan had tried to resolve these problems a little at a time, those who felt themselves victimized by Japan might have felt at least somewhat mollified; but that with the passing of time while we do nothing, however, discontent and ill will can coalesce into bitter enmity. Choices: 1. Japan supported the people by reducing taxes to appease their concerns.  2. Japan refused to acknowledge the concerns of the people. 3. Japan could have appeased the people who felt disadvantaged over time. 

2