(* 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: Friday, October 12, 2007, 9:47 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting
Situation in Myanmar
Kidnapping of a Japanese National in Iran
North Korean Issues
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

1. Cabinet Meeting

(See Japanese version.)

2. Situation in Myanmar

Question:
The United Nations Security Council has issued a Chairman's Statement criticizing Myanmar. However, there was also criticism that some of the content of that statement was toned down. What are your views on that and in light of that statement, what will the Japanese Government do regarding the sanctions imposed on Myanmar?

Minister:
We welcome the fact that that statement "strongly deplores" the situation and that it was an expression of the consensus of the international community on the situation in Myanmar. Furthermore, the statement clearly expresses an intent on the part of the Security Council to be engaged in this issue and we praise the efforts that have been made by the Secretary-General as well as the visit to Myanmar made by Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari and we intend to carefully watch the efforts that will be made by the Government of Myanmar to promote democratization. For our part, the Government of Japan intends to coordinate with the United Nations and with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to do whatever we can to encourage Myanmar to move in the direction of democratization.

3. Kidnapping of a Japanese National in Iran

Question:
Regarding the kidnapping of a Japanese National in Iran, please tell us the current situation and what response Japan intends to take for the time being today and tomorrow?

Minister:
We will continue to communicate closely with the authorities in Iran and the Government of Japan will make efforts so that he can be successfully rescued as soon as possible. I do not have any new information to share with you, at the same time the Government of Iran has called on us to refrain as much as possible from putting any new information out. Since we have asked for the Government of Iran to cooperate we must also respond to the wishes of the Government of Iran in this regard. At the same time, from 16:00 today an emergency headquarters will be set up under the leadership of Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera. I believe that the headquarters will receive a direct telephone link from Ambassador Hideaki Domichi in Iran who will be able to give us any new information. Although I do think we will hear new information, I do not know how much I will be able to publicly disclose to you.

Question:
The information available from Iran indicates that the student who has been taken hostage has probably been transported close to the border with Pakistan. If that is the case, there are concerns that this situation will drag out over a long time as was the case with the incident involving the Belgian Nationals. What is your outlook now based on receiving information indicating that he has been moved close to the border?

Minister:
I have not received any reliable direct reports indicating that he has been moved near the border. At the same time, there is always a danger that such incidents may drag out over a long time and although in some cases they are resolved quickly, right now we are not making any clear projections about how we expect things to go, but rather are focused on committing our best efforts to ensuring his safe release as soon as possible.

Question:
It was reported as of 22:30 on 10 October, that he was confirmed to still be safe. Since that time, have you had any communication from the Iranian authorities or anyone else confirming that he was still safe?

Minister:
Since then I have not had any such information.

4. North Korean Issues

Question:
There are some reports in the mass media indicating that considerations have commenced on the provision of humanitarian assistance to North Korea. Is there any factual basis to that?

Minister:
I think you are talking about a report that somebody is considering this without my knowledge. It is doubtful to say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to consider it. I do not know.

5. Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

Question:
Regarding the new law for the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, because of various so-called suspicious incidents about supplying oil to the fuel supplying vessels, within the ruling parties there are some who are putting forth the view that the provision concerning supply of oil to the fuel supplying vessels should be excluded in the drafting of the new law. What are your views on that?

Minister:
I believe that nothing has been decided in that regard and considerations are still underway. From the perspective of the Government of Japan, we believe that there is absolutely no factual basis to the allegations that some oil has been transferred for use in Iraq. However, there are many people out there who have various deep rooted suspicions and therefore, there are some who feel that the new law should be written in a manner that would exclude any possibility of suspicions by those people. At the same time there are also people who believe that there is a need to supply oil to the fuel supplying vessels. Therefore, I believe that both of those views will be given consideration and a decision will be made as to which one to take.

Question:
What decision have you taken regarding the current state of considerations?

Minister:
Considering the fact that this is a matter of how each nation decides to think about these needs, although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is certainly involved, in order to determine the true needs, there is a necessity for a frank exchange of opinions amongst the Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces Authorities on a military-to-military basis. For that reason I would like to thoroughly hear the views of the Ministry of Defense. Of course we are aware of those but we have not finalized everything.

Related Information (Counter Terrorism)

Back to Index