(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 10:50 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting
North Korean Issues
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law
South-North Korean Summit
Myanmar Issues
Climate Change Issues

1. Cabinet Meeting

(See Japanese version.)

2. North Korean Issues

Question:
I would like to ask a question about the Six-Party Talks. What is your evaluation of the most recent meeting of the Six-Party Talks, and will Japan accept the outcome of that meeting? Furthermore, what is your perspective on how things will proceed forward in the Japan-North Korea Consultations that are likely to carry on for a while to come?

Minister:
We are not necessarily satisfied with the result of this meeting of the Six-Party Talks as the content of the "next phase." Still, this does represent some progress forward. From Japan's perspective we expect that the Six Parties can get agreement with this draft as soon as possible. Regarding Japan-North Korea relations, I can tell you that Japan-North Korea relations continue along the lines of our basic policy that we intend to resolve the issues of nuclear, missiles and abductions and then normalize our relations, as well as settle past issues. I would like to accelerate the pace of the Consultations with that aim in mind.

Question:
You have stated that you are not necessarily satisfied with the results of the Six-Party Talks. Can you provide a more detailed explanation of what you mean?

Minister:
Specifically, I am referring to the point that the complete report is in fact an incomplete "complete report." Furthermore, the process of decommissioning will not cover all of the facilities but will be limited to certain facilities. That is why such factors cannot necessarily be deemed as satisfactory as measures in the "next phase." Naturally, it would be better to take the first step of the "next phase," rather than not take that step. Therefore, we hope to see the draft coming into force at the earliest possible stage.

Question:
Regarding the Japan-North Korea Consultations, at the previous Six-Party Talks meeting it was not clear in what format any future Japan-North Korea Consultations would take, nor when they might be held. Currently, how do you think the Japan-North Korea Consultations will be held in the future?

Minister:
Just now I stated that things would proceed according to the basic policy. In accordance with the basic policy those individuals who are actually involved in the situation will discuss amongst themselves and make a decision.

3. Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

Question:
This morning there was a discussion amongst the three ministers concerned regarding the new law for the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. How did you formulate the outline for the new law?

Minister:
We did not necessarily determine any outline. What we did decide upon was which points the ruling parties' Project Team and the people on the Government side would discuss. The Government side has decided to proceed with the new law but we have to decide on what points in the content of the new law should be discussed. Once those points are determined, probably sometime today, these points will be shown to the ruling parties' Project Team.

Related Information (Counter Terrorism)

4. South-North Korean Summit

Question:
The South-North Korean Summit is being held beginning today, 2 October. What points are you looking forward to from the outcome of this meeting?

Minister:
My expectations for this meeting are for the South-North Korean Summit to contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular. Furthermore, my expectation is for this to contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsular, and moreover the entire region. Another point is that during the Japan-ROK Ministerial Meeting, the ROK side spoke about the issue of the abduction of Korean nationals and at that time they said that they would also bring up the question of the abduction of Japanese nationals. I, for my part, asked my counterpart to demand North Korea to return all of the Japanese nationals who had been abducted. Of course, I do not know to what extent they will speak about that but I do have hopes in this regard. Furthermore, after the South-North Korean Summit meeting ends it is scheduled that the ROK President will make a phone call to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and the ROK Vice Minister who will be attending the Summit will come to Japan and explain to me. I am looking forward to hearing the outcome.

5. Myanmar Issues

Question:
I would like to ask about Myanmar. First of all, I would like to ask your views on economic cooperation. Furthermore, can you tell me whether or not a decision has been officially made for Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi?

Minister:
A decision will be made on how Japan will act in this regard once I have heard a report from Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yabunaka after his return to Japan. I would like just to inform you that at the current point in time no decisions in this regard have been taken. I can tell you that Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yabunaka did request to have a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi but there was no immediate indication of "yes" or "no" from the other side. Given that circumstance I understand that the other side is considering the request. From Japan's perspective we very much hope that Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yabunaka will be able to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi because we think that there is a need for an exchange of views on many matters.

Question:
In referring to the counterpart on the other side, do you mean the military government?

Minister:
Yes, that is correct.

Question:
It has been stated that the meeting that occurred between Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yabunaka and the Information Minister, the shooting happened without prior planning. The Vice Foreign Minister of Myanmar has explained that under the chaotic situation "this occurred in a situation in which the soldiers were also being wounded." What are your views on such statements being made by the Myanmar side?

Minister:
I do understand that a statement to that effect was made, and I also understand that in response to that Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yabunaka stated his own views and also requested that more efforts be made to identify what really happened. Furthermore, for my part, when I met with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar, I stated my view that based on what I could see in the video tapes it was not an unintentional shot. In response to this, the other side did not make a positive affirmation that "yes, indeed, it was intentional," nor did they counter with a denial. That is an overview of what took place in the meeting with the Foreign Minister.

6. Climate Change Issues

Question:
At the Conference on Climate Change that took place in Washington D.C., President George W. Bush stated in his address that in the post-Kyoto situation, the focus should be shifted back to the United Nations as the framework, and indicated a cautious outlook toward the idea of creating binding obligations vis-à-vis a reduction of emission levels of greenhouse gases. Please give me your evaluation on that.

Minister:
It certainly would be best to create firm obligations and for all of the major emitter countries to enter such a framework. However, I think that right now it is most important for us to set the goal of getting the United States, China and India and other major emitter countries to participate. When we think about that, Japan is also of the view that there is a need for a framework that can incorporate some degree of flexibility.

Related Information (Press Release)

Back to Index