(* 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 24, 2008, 9:35 a.m.
Place: In front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement by the Minister
Emergency Grand Aid to the Republic of Cuba
North Korean Issues
Secret Agreement concerning Abandonment of Jurisdiction over Criminal Cases Involving US Forces Personnel
Media Reports concerning Senior Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Masatoshi Kurata

1. Opening Statement by the Minister

Emergency Grand Aid to the Republic of Cuba

Minister:
In response to the significant damage inflicted on Cuba by hurricanes in August and September, the Government of Japan has decided to provide approximately 800,000 US dollars (approximately 90 million yen) in grant aid, through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The aid will be focused on food provisions, and in addition to the approximately 20 million yen disbursed previously in emergency in-kind assistance, this new grant aid of approximately 90 million yen will bring the total amount of Japanese aid to 110 million yen.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. North Korean Issues

Question:
With regard to North Korea and the outlook for holding the Six-Party Talks, please tell us whether the drafting process of the agreement document, which Japan has stated should be compiled quickly, is encountering any difficulties.

Minister:
With regard to the schedule for the Six-Party Talks, as I have said before all the participant countries are engaged in the coordination, led by China as the chair, and as yet no fixed scheduled has been decided. With regard to the compilation of an agreement document, Japan has said that from the basis of an agreement being reached between the United States and North Korea, we expect that an even stronger agreement should be compiled. Once the specific schedule for the Six-Party Talks meeting has been decided, it is only natural that we will begin the relevant coordination on and adjustment with the other participant countries.

3. Secret Agreement concerning Abandonment of Jurisdiction over Criminal Cases Involving US Forces Personnel

Question:
Concerning US Forces in Japan, yesterday a US government document from 1953 was released which shows that Japan concluded a secret agreement with the United States to abandon its jurisdiction over criminal cases of US Forces personnel, save for those cases committed while on duty. Can you confirm this and give us the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Minister:
I am not aware of the details of this case. After looking into it I will report again when the opportunity arises.

4. Media Reports concerning Senior Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Masatoshi Kurata

Question:
Why is the investigation into reports that allege Senior Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Masatoshi Kurata was involved with the acquisition of visas by some Philippine nationals taking so long?

Minister:
An investigation is currently underway at the ministry but I have not received any reports as yet. I will check on the matter again today.

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