(* 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, December 14, 2007, 9:39 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting
Talks with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yong-Boon Yeo
Seizure of Japanese fishing vessels in waters around Kunashiri Island
Extension of the Diet Session
Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea
North Korean Issues

1. Cabinet Meeting

Minister:
I introduced to the Cabinet Meeting that in order to improve the medical situation of the Palestinians, we have decided to provide $10 million US dollars of support through the United Nations Development Programme.

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2. Talks with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yong-Boon Yeo

Minister:
Furthermore, today I will have talks with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yong-Boon Yeo. We will talk about how we can further advance our bilateral relations and regional cooperation. During the meeting we are scheduled to sign a new framework document for the Japan-Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century (JSPP21). The main focus of this new framework document is to strengthen our efforts to promote trade and investment, advance measures against infectious diseases, and cooperate on issues common to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). I intend to further strengthen our cooperation with Singapore and to continue to provide assistance for the integration of ASEAN. Speaking simply, this means that Japan and Singapore will act together to assist developing nations. In fact, we have been doing this since 1994, but we intend to devote even more efforts in that regard.

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3. Seizure of Japanese fishing vessels in waters around Kunashiri Island

Minister:
Japan cannot accept the seizure of Japanese fishing vessels in waters around Kunashiri Island, given our basic stance regarding the Northern Territories. As such, this incident is truly regrettable. Japan's ambassador to Russia Yasuo Saito has informed Russian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Denisov of our position. The ambassador expressed our request first of all for a speedy release of the vessel, and until that can be arranged for all necessary measures to be taken from a humanitarian perspective, including the provision of any necessary medical treatment and pharmaceutical products. First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Denisov indicated that he understood the need to respond from the humanitarian perspective. In particular, from our side we directly appeal for the release of one of the vessel's captains, Mr. Fujimoto, who has a chronic ailment. The Russian side indicated that they understood the need for this, and coordination is now underway with our counterparts in Russia on the early dispatch of a vessel to pick him up. It does appear that the four "seized" fishing vessels did not have the license issued by the governor of Hokkaido based on the framework agreement concerning operations of Japanese fishing vessels in the waters around the four northern islands. The concerned authorities in Japan are looking into why they entered the 12-mile zone around the Northern Territories.

4. Extension of the Diet Session

Question:
Today during the Diet plenary session, the current term of this Diet session will be extended. I understand that this will be done in accordance with Prime Minister Fukuda's determination to pass the new Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. Please share with us your thoughts and views on that.

Minister:
It is extremely important for the national interests of Japan that the Maritime Self-Defense Force returns to the Indian Ocean quickly and resumes their refueling operations. Therefore, we must in fact allow them to do so. But unfortunately we have not been able to pass the law during the current Diet session. I believe that it is only natural that we extend the period of the Diet session and devote further efforts toward passing this law.

Question:
The Diet will remain in session during the New Year season. What kind of influence will this have on the Prime Minister's visit to China?

Minister:
First of all, this will cause the decision making process to be more drawn out. We will make every effort possible to ensure that there won't be any influence to render it impossible to take the trip. However, it certainly does have an influence in that it will be a while longer until we can make a final decision on when the Prime Minister can go to China.

5. Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea

Question:
Regarding the issue of the gas fields in the East China Sea, there are some indications that further talks on this matter may take place. How are you making progress on this?

Minister:
We have reached agreement that we both must resolve this issue. However, there is a big distance in our views as to how it should be resolved. This is a matter about which we will not be able to reach resolution without a political decision. In particular, a political decision on the part of China. In my wordings, "as long as China makes a political decision, Japan will respond flexibly." As long as they can make their political decision then I guess on our side as well it will require some kind of political decision in order for us to respond flexibly. Mutually we understand 100% of our respective views. What remains is for a political decision to take place, and therefore it is a matter of whether or not that decision will be made. Without a political decision this will not be resolved, no matter how many years are spent. However, if there is a political decision this issue can be resolved without spending much time. We both fully understand our respective positions, what the other side says. That is why we both fully understand that "the other party will never accept certain things." That is why we need a political decision.

Question:
So you are saying that the details need to be worked out?

Minister:
This is not a matter that involves working out the details and stepping forward one step at a time, and our two parties coming closer to each other. This is something that will either be resolved immediately or remain unresolved.

Question:
In order to encourage such a political decision, will you lay the groundwork to hold one more round of Japan-China consultations perhaps in a vice-ministerial level?

Minister:
Naturally we will do that, although I cannot tell you at what level.

Question:
Will that take place in some format prior to the Summit talks?

Minister:
We will be in contact in some way. However I cannot tell you when that will happen or whom it will involve.

6. North Korean Issues

Question:
Please tell us your outlook for the Six-Party Talks. We are approaching the end of the year, which was the target for completing the actions in the second-phase. What is your outlook for North Korea's declaration for all nuclear programs? Furthermore, do you take the view that Japan is trying to advance the Working Group for the Normalization of Japan-DPRK Relations.

Minister:
The issue of the declaration for all nuclear programs is indeed a very serious one. If North Korea wants to provide a declaration it can do it whenever it wants. That is not the point. The point is whether this declaration can satisfy the other five parties or not. As such, when North Korea resolves to truly provide a complete and correct declaration it can do so at any time. I think this issue is all about whether North Korea has that resolve or not.

Regarding the disablement of nuclear facilities, it is an operation and it takes time. Enthusiastic efforts are being made with a view to implementing this before the deadline. I cannot rule out the possibility that the work may continue into next year no matter how much effort is made because of factors such as the need to ensure safety. However there is no disputing the fact that efforts are made to get everything done within the deadline. Still I am concerned about whether or not the current situation regarding the declaration issue is such that we will really see a complete and correct declaration be provided immediately in a manner that will satisfy the other five parties. In fact, all of the other five counties are telling North Korea in a strong manner that we would very much like to see a complete and correct declaration.

Furthermore, it is of utmost importance that we advance the issue of denuclearization in a manner that is well-balanced with advancing Japan-North Korea relations. As I just said now, the issue of denuclearization is not really moving along all that smoothly but at least compared to Japan-North Korea relations, although there is some movement back and forth, it does seem to be making some progress in that the deadline for the second-phase has been set. However, no progress was made in Japan-North Korea relations and in order to follow that speed without any delay, various efforts are being made to move forward. I cannot speak in very concrete terms and I think that for the time being the day will not come when I will be able to do so.

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