(* 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 Hirofumi Nakasone

Date: Friday, October 10, 2008, 11:11 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs
North Korean Issues
Replenishment Activities in the Indian Ocean
Domestic Affairs

1. Opening Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs

Visit to Japan by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Kingdom of Spain

Minister:
The reception of the visit to Japan of Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Kingdom of Spain had been decided on at the previous Cabinet Meeting. His Majesty Juan Carlos I, The King of Spain, and Her Majesty Queen Sofia will pay a State Visit to Japan from November 9 to November 14, 2008. During their stay in Japan, Their Majesties The King and Queen will make a State Call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress will also host a State Banquet in honor of Their Majesties The King and Queen. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of Their Majesties The King and Queen, which will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Spain.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. North Korean Issues

Question:
Was a decision reached at today's Cabinet Meeting to extend the sanction measures that had been imposed on North Korea?

Minister:
A decision was reached to extend the sanctions that had been imposed on North Korea beyond the deadline of October 13, which will soon be coming. Not only has North Korea not yet agreed to a concrete framework for verification, but it has halted the activities being undertaken to disable the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon. Furthermore, efforts are now being made by North Korea to restore that facility and North Korea has not yet taken any concrete activities including re-implementation of the investigation on the abductions which it agreed to do in August, when the abductions issue was discussed. Taking into account these factors, we made an overall evaluation of the various factors regarding North Korea, and came to the decision that there was a necessity to extend these measures.

Question:
There is a report that Mr. McCormack, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and the State Department Spokesman, held a press conference and said that in light of the discussions held between the United States and North Korea recently, the US was giving consideration in the direction of removing North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. From Japan's perspective, is this a matter that is based on domestic law in the United States, meaning that there is nothing that Japan can do about it, or will Japan once again request that the United States not remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism unless concrete progress is made on the abductions issue?

Minister:
All of these are extremely important and large issues, and for our part, regarding both of these issues, the Government of Japan has a strong interest and has fully been involved in these matters. However, the abductions issue is the abductions issue, and as you know the Government of Japan has called for an early resolution of this issue, and as far as the nuclear issue is concerned, consideration is currently underway under the initiative of the United States within the country, in response to the recent visit to North Korea by US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill. It is not the case that there is no relationship between these. In fact, we are interested.

Question:
So are you saying that there is nothing that you can do in the event that the United States makes a decision to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism?

Minister:
In regards to the nuclear issue, thoroughly conducting verification is very important, and that is something that we will thoroughly have to have North Korea implement. The abductions issue is important, but given that Japan is geographically close to North Korea, it is also important to thoroughly resolve the nuclear issue. I do not know at what point in time the United States will make what kind of decision, but I do expect that before an ultimate decision is made, the US will talk to Japan about it, and as long as that decision is something that Japan can to some degree feel satisfied with, then I suppose that that will be acceptable.

Question:
Regarding the content of what was discussed when Assistant Secretary Hill visited North Korea, I suppose that you have received a report on that. What do you as the Minister for Foreign Affairs think of that content?

Minister:
What is the most important point in thinking about this issue is whether North Korea thoroughly implements the concrete framework for verification to which it agreed. Regarding the results of the visit of Assistant Secretary Hill to North Korea, naturally we have received an explanation from the United States about that. As I said before, a thorough framework for conducting verification must be built, which must be rigorous enough to further create progress in the Six-Party Talks. We highly appreciate the efforts that are being made by the United States in that regard. We have conveyed our thoughts to the United States regarding the fact that there remain points that must be confirmed. Yesterday, I met with US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer, and I told him about that. In any event, primarily this is a matter that is related to application of domestic law in the United States, but we have conveyed our thoughts on this matter, and we intend to communicate closely even further going forward.

Question:
I understand that you have stated that whether to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism is primarily a matter that relates to domestic affairs within the United States, but if you are talking about verification, then I believe that that is a matter that is covered within the framework of the Six-Party Talks. Does the fact that you have conveyed to the United States the fact that there remain points that need to be confirmed indicate that Japan's position is that at the present time the discussions that have taken place between the United States and North Korea by Assistant Secretary Hill and his counterparts in North Korea are not yet sufficient?

Minister:
Rather than saying that this is not something that cannot be considered sufficient, I think that it would be correct to say that there remain points that must be confirmed.

Question:
Given that there remains work to be implemented on the disablement of nuclear facilities and given that at this current stage the investigation on the abductions has been halted, and given that there is a possibility that the United States may remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, if hypothetically the current prevailing type of situation continues and amongst that situation the United States does move to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, do you believe that there is any possibility that what Japan is aiming for in having North Korea abolish its nuclear facilities can really be achieved by the policy of harmony toward North Korea and that that will really achieve some kind of progress in the disablement of nuclear facilities on the part of North Korea?

Minister:
That is an extremely difficult question. I think that, after all, what we have to do is steadfastly urge North Korea to resolve its nuclear issues through the Six-Party Talks.

Question:
In the report that you received on the results of the visit made to North Korea by Assistant Secretary Hill, was there any comment included on the abductions issue? If there was indeed any comment included on that topic, what was the content?

Minister:
The report did not include the abductions issue. The report related to the framework for verification of the nuclear issue.

Question:
This will be the fourth time that Japan is implementing sanctions on North Korea and there are some people who have suggested that these sanctions are not having an effect. Do you have any intention to further strengthen these sanctions?

Minister:
Regarding the measures that are implemented toward North Korea, we make our decision taking into account North Korea's endeavor in the issues of abductions, nuclear program, and the missiles, as well as developments in international arena including the Six-Party Talks, and the United Nations Security Council. For our part, after a comprehensive evaluation we have decided that, since there has not been a resolution to the abductions issue, we will extend the sanctions on October 13. We do not believe that this has no effect. Rather than saying no effect, what is accurate is to say that the situation has not been resolved, and therefore we will continue to implement the sanctions.

Question:
Are you considering any measures to strengthen the sanctions?

Minister:
For the time being, we will implement the measures within the sanctions that were decided upon today, and we are not considering strengthening the measures additionally.

Question:
There are some reports in the media in the United States to the effect that there is a movement in the US to agree to the framework that was proposed on the part of North Korea. Also, some officials within the US government have reportedly made a comment to the effect that Japan is facing the abductions issue, which makes it difficult to agree on the framework in question within the Six-Party Talks. What are your thoughts on that?

Minister:
I am not aware of any media reports of that nature. As I stated earlier, what is most important now is to reach an agreement on the framework for verifying the nuclear issue.

Question:
What are your thoughts on the view that Japan's policies are not aligned with those of the other countries within the Six-Party Talks?

Minister:
It is not a fact that our policies are not aligned.

Question:
Has Japan now conveyed its position to the effect that if a thorough agreement is reached on a framework for verification of the nuclear issue then Japan is prepared to accept the United States' decision to remove North Korea from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism?

Minister:
The nuclear issue is indeed an important issue, and there must be a thorough framework for verification, to which the other five parties (excluding North Korea) can agree, and approve, being convinced of its thoroughness. Primarily, this is a matter that concerns application of domestic law of the United States, and therefore, I believe that the US is discussing this issue keeping in mind such concerns of the other parties.

3. Replenishment Activities in the Indian Ocean

Question:
Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, Admiral Keating, Commander of the US Pacific Command, talked to you yesterday not only about the continuance of the replenishment activities but also about his hopes for a further contribution from Japan. In addition to the current replenishment activities, what contributions are you currently considering?

Minister:
At present, passing this bill in order to continue with the replenishment activities is our biggest task and I cannot comment on other contributions. The replenishment activities currently carried out by the Maritime Self-Defense Forces are highly regarded by the international community and as this area is a crucial transport route for Japan, it is important for us to continue these activities. I am not thinking of any other contribution at this time.

4. Domestic Affairs

(See Japanese version.)

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