(* 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, December 11, 2007 8:58 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

United Nations Climate Change Conference
Visit to China by Prime Minister Fukuda
Press Communique of Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin Expresses Support for his Successor
Issue concerning US Embassy Rent in Tokyo

1. United Nations Climate Change Conference

Minister:
Currently the United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place in Bali, Indonesia. The conference is approaching its conclusion and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dispatched Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera there. Minister of the Environment Ichiro Kamoshita went there yesterday.

Japan put forth a proposal that first of all a working group be established within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the participation of all major emitters in order to talk about all relevant issues, and that a decision on establishing such a working group be made at this conference. We certainly hope that some kind of decision will be taken along the lines of the proposal that Japan put forth and we intend to do our utmost toward realizing that.

Question:
There have been some arguments at the conference suggesting that numerical targets be established. What is your view on that?

Minister:
If we start out with numerical targets we are going to see a repetition of what happened with the Kyoto Protocol and some nations will not want to join. Japan's view is that what is important is to first of all ensure the participation of all major emitters.

Question:
The Government of Australia has indicated that it intends to participate in the Kyoto Protocol. What do you think of that?

Minister:
It is extremely good. I would be very glad to see the nations that are currently not participating steadily adopt the Protocol.

Related Information (Climate Change)

2. Visit to China by Prime Minister Fukuda

Question:
There are media reports suggesting that Prime Minister Fukuda will visit China beginning 28 December. What is the outlook for that?

Minister:
Nothing has been decided yet. However, the Prime Minister wants to go as early as possible and coordination is underway with a view to realize that as early as sometime at the end of this year but no later than in the New Year.

3. Press Communique of Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue

Question:
A Joint Communique was compiled during the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue. China announced that but erased a portion of it. I understand that despite the fact that Japan is calling for all of it to be released, China is indicating that it is difficult to comply with that. What are your views on that?

Minister:
Considering that six ministers traveled from Japan and seven ministers participated from the Chinese side, and given that it was decided that we would coordinate together and make a joint announcement, we would like to have that done as much as possible. The erased portion itself was not a matter of China making an international agreement with Japan and therefore we should not pressure China too strongly on that position. As we had agreed with each other in advance about what to be announced, from our side we do want them to announce it. Since we have this hope, we will continue to call on China to do so.

Question:
Doesn't such behavior undermine the trust?

Minister:
Given the larger picture, there is no need to speak of that one incident as undermining our trust. But naturally, if they would act properly in this regard, it would certainly enhance the trust.

Question:
It appears that the Chinese side has stated that since it is an announcement to the mass media, they will decide on their own. What are your thoughts on that?

Minister:
Normally both sides are free to announce whatever they want but since we did decide what to announce together, from our perspective we would like them to act as we had agreed upon. Given that is the way we feel, we will continue to tell that to China.

Related Information (Press Communique)

4. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin Expresses Support for his Successor

Question:
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has designated Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, First Deputy Prime Minister, as a candidate for the next president. What are your views on his appointment and the outlook for Japan-Russian Federation relations?

Minister:
This is a domestic issue for Russia and therefore it would not be appropriate for the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to make any comment about it.

Question:
He will be a very young president, won't he?

Minister:
I have heard that he is a very young skilled and practical figure.

5. Issue concerning US Embassy Rent in Tokyo

Question:
Now that the matter of rent for the US Embassy facilities in Tokyo has been settled and I believe that last Friday, the outstanding funds were paid, what are your thoughts on that issue?

Minister:
I think it is a good thing. It is not really a good thing for two partners of our alliance to be spending too much time arguing whether it is too cheap or too expensive. I am sure that you would agree with me that it is good that this is settled.

Question:
Yes, but it did take 10 years, didn't it?

Minister:
Even if it took 10 years, I think it is good to be settled. First of all, we appreciate this good accomplishment.

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