(* 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 26, 2007, 8:47 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

North Korean Issues
Kim Dae-jung Incident
Irregularities Regarding the Disposal of Abandoned Chemical Weapons
Situation in Myanmar
Public Disclosure of the Financial Assets of Ministers of State, etc.

1. North Korean Issues

Question:
First Secretary Mr. Jordan of the United States Embassy in Tokyo met with the members of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea and also members of the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea (NARKN) and stated that the abduction issue was a bilateral issue between Japan and North Korea. There are concerns regarding what influence this may have on the discussions of future Six-Party Talk meetings. What are your views in that regard?

Minister:
Although the abduction issue is the largest issue between Japan and North Korea, given the fact that this is after all an issue with humanitarian elements, I believe that the entire international community must be concerned about it.

Question:
At yesterday's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the House of Councillors, a statement was made to the effect that if several of the abductees were to return to Japan it would be possible to deem that as progress. Please let us know once again what your views on this are.

Minister:
That certainly would be progress. Don't you think that would represent progress? Of course there is a difference between progress and settlement. Our view is that if there is an explanation made of the entire situation and all surviving abductees are returned home that would amount to a resolution of most of the issue. That is why even if only some people return to Japan that would definitely represent progress.

Question:
In that event would you take steps such as removing the sanctions?

Minister:
That is something that we will think about in the future, but if progress is made then in accordance with the degree of progress it would of course be natural for us also to take action to improve relations between Japan and North Korea.

Question:
Are you saying that you would be prepared to respond by providing phased assistance?

Minister:
No. That is something to be considered in the future on a case-by-case basis.

Question:
In that event how will you approach the treatment of the criminals and how will you continue to seek clarification of the causes?

Minister:
Naturally we will pursue that, but what is of foremost importance is to bring back all of the survivors, which amounts to an extremely large percentage of the overall issue.

2. Kim Dae-jung Incident

Question:
Regarding the Kim Dae-jung incident, it appears that the Government of the Republic of Korea will apologize to the Government of Japan. What are your views on that?

Minister:
If that is indeed a fact, then I am sure that it is natural for an apology to be made because this is a violation of sovereignty.

Question:
Do you have any plan to meet with the ROK Ambassador today?

Minister:
Not at this time.

3. Misconducts Regarding the Disposal of Abandoned Chemical Weapons

Question:
Misconducts have come to light regarding the disposal of abandoned chemical weapons in China. What are your views on that matter? Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intend to conduct a review of these operations?

Minister:
We would like a thorough investigation to take place and if there are areas in which the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs can cooperate, then naturally we intend to cooperate. The matter of abandoned chemical weapons is not an operation being undertaken by the Foreign Ministry but in that operation we feel that if there are things that should be done, then we should move ahead with them. It cannot be all right to stop operations just because this issue has come up.

4. Situation in Myanmar

Question:
What is your evaluation of the fact that talks have taken place between Aung San Suu Kyi and the military administration?

Minister:
I think that it is certainly better that talks were held than not. However, I have still not heard what the content of those talks was. First of all, dialogue is the starting point so I value them as such.

5. Public Disclosure of the Financial Assets of Ministers of State, etc.

(See Japanese version.)

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