(* This is a provisional translation by "WIP ジャパン" for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Foreign Minister Taro Aso

Date: Friday, July 21, 2006, 10:20 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting/Informal Cabinet Meeting
Memoirs regarding Emperor Showa and the Enshrinement of Class A War Criminals at Yasukuni Shrine

1. Cabinet Meeting/Informal Cabinet Meeting

Minister:
I have four things to report regarding today's cabinet meeting. The first is that it was decided to amend the organizational rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to carry out a structural reform of the Ministry on August 1. There are two points involved: one is that some divisions of the Economic Cooperation Bureau and the Global Issues Department will be joined to form the International Cooperation Bureau, and the other is that a South Asia Department will be established in the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. Both have received the approval of the Cabinet. The strategic undertaking of ODA and the strengthening of our system of Asian diplomacy are both pressing issues, so, although it is highly exceptional, these changes are taking place midway through the fiscal year. In other words, we have embarked on this structural reform.

Next, I would like to talk about personnel and structural demands. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a personnel quota of 5,000, 1,700 fewer than China, about 2,000 less than the United Kingdom and Germany, and 15,000 fewer than the United States. Also, we have no embassy in 23 countries which have their embassies in Japan. Even quite poor countries have their embassies in Japan. Take Africa, for example. Africa has 53 countries, but Japan has an embassy in less than half of them. We have 24. China, on the other hand, has 45 embassies there. It is a true, then, that we are lagging a long way behind. Unless we carry out sweeping personnel and structural reforms, we will be left with nothing with which to arm ourselves. We will not be able to do this under the constraints of the 'scrap and build' rule. I therefore made a request for special consideration in order to expand personnel and overseas missions.

The next point is concerning ODA. The ceiling on the 2007 budget request is part of what I am sure you know are presently severe constraints on expenditure; however, there was no resulting mention of reducing the ODA budget. We have therefore been able to maintain a position which is not going against our commitment to increase our ODA. On the basis of this ceiling, we will take a firm part in the various negotiations that make up the process of framing the budget, which, of course, includes framing an estimated budget request.

Regarding the immigration issue in the Dominican Republic, it was decided at this morning's Cabinet meeting to issue a prime ministerial statement for an early and complete solution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again expresses its sincere regret and apologies for the actions that caused the migrants to suffer great hardship at that time. Legislative action is presently being taken by Diet members of the governing parties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will duly implement this law that, after its coming into effect, will provide for a special one-off payment. We are also enhancing support for the immigrants and winning back the confidence of those who were relocated.

(See Japanese version for remainder.)

2. Memoirs regarding Emperor Showa and the Enshrinement of Class A War Criminals at Yasukuni Shrine.

Question:
Yesterday, memoirs regarding the visits of Emperor Showa to Yasukuni Shrine came to light. In particular, they include passages touching on the enshrinement of class A war criminals. Please tell us again what your view is regarding the contents of these memoirs.

Minister:
I think it has been two or three years since the Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Mr. Tomita, passed away. I am not in a position to comment on a deceased person's memoirs.

Question:
The memoirs say that the enshrinement was the reason why H.M. the Emperor stopped visiting. You once mentioned the distinction between public and private affairs as the reason why the emperor would not visit. Are you still of that opinion?

Minister:
Yes. Basically, I think so. I wonder why these memoirs of the late Director of the Imperial Household Agency, Mr. Tomita, have now come to light; but I won't comment on it personally.

Question:
Do you mean that you won't do so because you are unsure of the reliability of the memoirs?

Minister:
You can take it that way if you so please, but I do not wish to reply, as I sense an intention here to draw H.M the Emperor and matters concerning H.M. the Emperor into matters of politics.

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