(* 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 MACHIMURA Nobutaka

Date: Friday, September 21, 2007, 10:55 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Informal Cabinet Meeting
Prime Minister Abe's Health Status
North Korean Issues
United Nations General Assembly
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

1. Informal Cabinet Meeting

(See Japanese version)

2. Prime Minister Abe's Health Status

(See Japanese version)

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
There have been a series of media reports coming out in the United States alleging that North Korea is providing assistance to Syria for its nuclear development program. North Korea has not acknowledged this, but President George W. Bush has expressed his concerns over nuclear proliferation. I believe that in the near future the next meeting of the Six-Party Talks will take place. What are your views on the influence that this will have?

Minister:
I do not know the specific details as to whether or not that matter will be included in the agenda for discussions to take place at the next round of the Six Party Talks. On a background basis I can tell you that those reports might be discussed at the Six-Party Talks, but I doubt that they will constitute an agenda itself.

Question:
The U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman announced that the next meeting of the Six-Party Talks would take place on 27 September. Considering that the next Cabinet in Japan is likely to be formed on 25 September how do you view the prospects for a 27 September meeting?

Minister:
That would indeed be an extremely tight schedule for us, and naturally since it will be the first time for Japan to participate in those discussions under the new Prime Minister and the new Cabinet, and therefore those individuals who will actually be going to the negotiations will need to meet with the new Prime Minister or the new Foreign Minister before leaving Japan in order to brief them on the policies that will dictate their approach to the negotiations and the negotiations should undertake those consultations before leaving Japan.

Question:
Can I take it to mean that as far as the Government of Japan is concerned, 27 September is acceptable as a date for the next meeting?

Minister:
I have not been informed that there has been any final decision taken on the specific dates for the next meeting.

4. United Nations General Assembly

Question:
At the beginning of next week we will see the arrival of a new Prime Minister and I suppose that the Cabinet will also be reshuffled. This has been an extremely short stint for you as Foreign Minister, but if you look back on your term of office, what are your thoughts?

Minister:
Don't you think that is a question that I should respond to on 25 September? I will be going to New York tomorrow and there still is work for me to do as Foreign Minister. Since my job is not yet complete, I cannot answer your question now.

Question:
I know that you will be going to the United Nations tomorrow and that this is a high level meeting relating to Afghanistan. In Japan there still is the issue of whether or not the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law will be extended. What matters will you be bringing up in your meetings with other nations and what are you looking forward to getting information from other countries on?

Minister:
The fundamental objective of this meeting itself comes from the basic characteristic of the meeting that is a gathering of the donor nations providing assistance for Afghanistan. Japan has provided assistance in the form of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and through other means. Japan has also achieved results in DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants) and others. I will issue a clear message that Japan intends to continue to provide assistance in areas such as education. Japan will look to concerned nations to provide cooperation and make efforts in that direction as well. Of course Japan is not directly participating in the activities that are taking place primarily centered on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) such as Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) (teams engaged in provincial reconstruction efforts involving military personnel and civilians from 27 nations). However, Japan is involved in maritime interdiction operation focusing on preventing terrorism that our activities have been highly appreciated by the United Nations Security Council. I intend to issue a message stating that Japan will continue to make efforts in that regard, bearing in mind and Japan has been called upon by the international community to continue such activities.

5. Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

Question:
It appears that there are opinions within the ruling parties pushing to have the new law submitted for approval at the next Ordinary Diet Session. However, from your perspective do you think it should be submitted as is, to the Extraordinary Diet Session?

Minister:
I believe that after the new Cabinet has been formed we must come up with a decision regarding that matter as quickly as possible. However, at the very least, I am still now one member of the Abe Cabinet, and given that we have conducted discussions on what format the new law could take, I am of the view that the new law should be submitted, at the very least, right now because that is the position that the Abe Cabinet has maintained and I believe that even in the new Cabinet it would not be appropriate for that position to be reversed.

Question:
Can we take it to mean that you believe that the Extraordinary Diet Session is where the consultations on the new law should take place?

Minister:
Of course, it should be during the current Diet session.

Related Information (Counter Terrorism)

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