(* 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: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 10:37 a.m.
Place: New York

Main topics:

Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting
Japan-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting

1. Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting

Minister:
The Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting was held between me and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. It was exactly 35 years ago today that the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China was issued and I believe that the fact that our ministerial meetings took place on this memorable day indicates that we both intend to aim for mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and we both were in full agreement with the overall view that although Japan-China relations are good now, we must make efforts to make them even better.

One specific difficult issue that we face is the development of natural resources in the East China Sea and related issues. I stated that I would like for the Chinese side to submit a detailed proposal on joint development which takes into consideration both of our nations' perspectives, and I stated that we are prepared to respond flexibly. The Chinese Foreign Minister stated that there was a request for both sides to put forth detailed proposals and the Chinese side believes that it has already made a specific proposal to a certain degree. In any event, resolving this issue will be beneficial to both sides, and failure to resolve the issue will be detrimental to us both. As such, we did agree on the need for joint development, however we could not necessarily reach agreement on what kind of joint development would be appropriate. Still we did share the view that although there is a gap that divides us, we must both work hard to resolve the situation. I expect that at our next meeting we will be able to narrow the distance that separates us.

Regarding the situation in Myanmar, I stated, "There is a need for all of us to support the efforts being made by Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari and given that China is in a position to exert influence on Myanmar we would like China to use its influence to bring about a good solution." In response to this the Chinese Foreign Minister stated, "China agreed to the dispatch of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General Gambari and in addition, China has urged Myanmar to accept the dispatch of him. In any event, we believe that it is important for both sides to exercise restraint in order to improve the situation."

Regarding reform of the United Nations Security Council, I called on China to understand and support Japan's position, and specifically asked for China's support for Japan's candidacy to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council. In response to this, the Chinese side stated that they understood Japan's views on reform of the Security Council, and that China hopes that Japan will be able to engage in good activities in the international community, and that it would certainly give consideration to whether or not to support Japan's candidacy in the selection of a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

2. Japan-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting

Minister:
I stated that in 1998 when then President Kim Dae-jung visited Japan to finalize the agreement on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration, I served as Foreign Minister and was involved in the drafting of the document. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of ROK Song Min-soon stated that at the time he served as Special Assistant to the President on Diplomatic Issues and was involved in the drafting of the same document. We both agreed that the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration is the departure point for future-oriented bilateral relations between our nations, and that it serves as the foundation of Japan-ROK relations, and from the perspective of people who have both been involved in drafting that document we agreed to continue to enhance Japan-ROK relations going forward.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of ROK provided an explanation of the South-North Korean Summit Meeting scheduled to take place next week relating that discussions were scheduled to take place on the issue of peace, on economic issues and on other matters, and that furthermore, talks were due to take place on the issue of ROK[UC421] Nationals abducted by North Korea and that in that context, reference would be made to the issue of the abduction of Japanese Nationals by North Korea. Furthermore, the ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade explained that he would like to dispatch to Japan one of the officials who will accompany the President in the South-North Korean Summit Meetings to provide me with a direct explanation of the content. I explained that regarding the abduction issue, I would like to call upon the ROK side to urge North Korea to return all abducted Japanese Nationals and to convey the message that when this problem is resolved, there will be a dynamic development in Japan-North Korea relations, and that once the nuclear issue, the abduction issue and the missile issue have been solved, past issues will be settled and it will become possible to normalize relations between Japan and North Korea. I called on the ROK side to extend their cooperation to us in this regard.

Furthermore regarding the Six-Party Talks, the ROK side queried me on Japan's views regarding the relations between the nuclear issue and the abduction issue. In response to that, I stated that unless the nuclear issue, abduction issue and missile issue are resolved, there is no way forward that leads to normalization of relations. At the same time I stated that it is absolutely not the case that the abduction issue is in any way delaying the achievement of progress toward resolving the nuclear issue.

Regarding reform of the United Nations Security Council I called on ROK to understand and support Japan's position, and specifically asked for ROK's support for Japan's candidacy to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council. In response to this, the ROK side stated that they understood Japan's views on reform of the Security Council, and that it would certainly give consideration to whether or not to support Japan's candidacy in the selection of a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

Question:
During the Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting did you talk about the Six-Party Talks or North Korean issues?

Minister:
We did not particularly focus on that in our discussions.

Question:
During the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers Meeting did you talk about the situation in Myanmar?

Minister:
The situation in Myanmar did not come up in the talks with ROK.

Question:
During the Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting did you speak about mutual visits by the respective leaders?

Minister:
The Chinese side stated that they would like for the Japanese Prime Minister to visit China as soon as possible and for the timing to be convenient for both sides. Then I stated that I would like President Hu Jintao to visit Japan at an early time next year, and I conveyed the wishes of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to visit China as soon as possible, in response to which the Chinese side stated that they shared the same view.

Question:
You have dispatched Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka to Myanmar. Have you also given any consideration to measures such as recalling the Japanese Ambassador back to Tokyo from Myanmar?

Minister:

I do not intend to comment on that matter under the current circumstances. I think it is important to carefully watch what steps the Government of Myanmar takes to achieving an improvement in the situation.

Question:
Traditionally China has taken a cautious approach in its dealings with Myanmar. Did you observe any kind of change in the statement made today by the Chinese Foreign Minister?

Minister:
I was told that China is also extremely concerned about the prevailing situation. Each of our respective nations responds in respective ways and I believe that China is aiming in its own way to see an improvement in the situation.

Question:
What was the view of China regarding advancing the process of democratization?

Minister:
The view was expressed that China calls on both sides to exercise self restraint. In any event, China expressed the view that it is extremely concerned about the current situation.

Question:
Was there any talk about efforts being focused on creating a draft agreement for the Six-Party Talks?

Minister:
Our meeting was a brief one lasting only 30 minutes, and as such there was no particular mention of that.

Question:
From your perspective as Foreign Minister, what is your outlook on the "next phase" in the nuclear issue with North Korea?

Minister:
The "next phase" should include complete disablement of nuclear facilities, and complete and correct declaration. However, the situation is such that only incomplete declaration and incomplete disablement can be achieved. Still, I believe that this will serve as the first step in the next phase.

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