(* This is a provisional translation by "WIP ジャパン" for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Foreign Minister Taro Aso

Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 9.20a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting
Middle East Peace Issue
G8 Summit 2008
Japan-North Korea Working Group

1. Cabinet Meeting

2. Middle East Peace Issue

Question:
It is reported that on the 15th of next month Israel, the Palestinians, Jordan and Japan are to meet in Tokyo for four-party talks regarding peace in the Palestinian territories. Has the date already been finalized?

Minister:
It hasn't been finalized yet, but we are looking to have it on March 14.

Question:
What will the talks be aimed at achieving?

Minister:
The "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" that we have been proposing which involves Japan, Israel, the Palestinians and Jordan.

3. G8 Summit 2008

Question:
The 2008 summit of the G8 group is to be held in Japan, and various regions are bidding as venues. It is being said in the Diet that an overall decision will be made taking into account such factors as the kind of message conveyed by the venue, security, and the burden on the locality; but what are your impressions of the areas that have announced their candidacy so far?

Minister:
I suppose there are various ways of putting it, but each venue has either too much of one thing or not enough of another. There are no obvious choices, and for that reason there are a variety of opinions being exchanged on the matter. As for my impression of venues, I can't really make an unqualified pronouncement.

Question:
Is the kind of message the venue will convey a very important factor?

Minister:
Tokyo is said to be best in terms of security, so for that reason Tokyo has, I believe, been the venue for most summits. Last time it was held in Okinawa and I realize that there are various opinions being expressed based on the thinking that if Okinawa could do it, anywhere can. However, what kind of message Japan wants to convey is, I think, quite important. Next, it will be taking place some weeks before the Beijing Olympics. In that sense, I think it is very important that when Japan hosts the event at that time, it delivers an unmistakable impression. What we say at that time, and what Japan conveys as a message will, I think, have great significance.

Question:
I would like to ask about when the decision will be made. The unified local elections will take place in April, and, depending on the region, venue candidacy could well become a contested issue. Will the decision be made following this?

Minister:
I am not really thinking about it in the context of the unified local elections.

Related Information (G7/G8)

4. Japan-North Korea Working Group

Question:
Regarding the Japan-North Korea Working Group, what timing is being considered for its commencement?

Minister:
It has to begin within 30 days, and, basically, that 30 day period runs until around March 15. At this point the least I can say is that North Korea is not trying to overturn any points that had been concluded at the Six-Party Talks. The delegation seems to have been instructed in conformity the conclusion of the Talks. Rather, the delegation seems to have been instructed to act in accordance with them. Therefore, I think Japan and North Korea and the United States and North Korea will be meeting somewhere by March 15. I expect that the timing for the meetings between Japan and North Korea and the United States and North Korea will be more or less similar.

Question:
When you say that the timing will be more or less similar, does Japan want to hold its talks with North Korea before the United States does?

Minister:
No, nothing like that.

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