(* 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, November 7, 2008, 8:55 a.m.
Place: In front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

Main topics:

The US Presidential Election
North Korean Issues
Essay Contest Submission by Then Air Self-Defense Force Chief Toshio Tamogami

1. The US Presidential Election

Question:
Senator Obama has been chosen as the President-elect. There are predictions that US's diplomatic strategy toward Asia, especially toward Japan, will change from that of the Republican Administration. How does the Japanese Government think the US diplomatic strategy will change and how does the government plan to deal with the change?

Minister:
The US-Japan relationship is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign policy, and I believe that, during the Obama Administration, it will basically remain the same as it has been during the Bush Administration. I believe that with Japan and the US maintaining close contact, we will be able to contribute to the peace and stability of the Asian region, as well as to that of the entire world. I think that following the inauguration of the new administration, we will need to firmly maintain close contact.

Question:
Regarding policies toward North Korea, there is concern that President-elect Obama will further continue with a conciliatory approach and that this may affect the Six-Party Talks as well as Japan's measures toward North Korea. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
The North Korean issues are being dealt with under the framework of the Six-Party Talks, so I don't think there will be any change in the fundamental approach toward North Korea. I believe that it is important to firmly keep to the schedule for adopting an effective verification protocol, and we are in the process of doing that right now.

2. North Korean Issues

Question:
Mr. Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, left for China today. His visit is reportedly aimed at having a meeting about the Six-Party Talks with Mr. Wu Dawei, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC. What is the subject of this meeting and what are the points that need to be ironed out?

Minister:
This is a meeting to discuss preparations for the Six-Party Talks to be held in the future. The discussion will be on how to ensure the adoption of an effective verification protocol, which I just mentioned.

3. Essay Contest Submission by Then Air Self-Defense Force Chief Toshio Tamogami

Question:
Regarding the essay that was written by then Air Self-Defense Force Chief Toshio Tamogami, 78 people from the Ministry of Defense entered the contest. What are your thoughts on this? Also, please comment on whether anybody from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entered the contest.

Minister:
To be frank, I was surprised that 78 people entered. As this is a matter presently being investigated internally at the Ministry of Defense, I would like to refrain from making further comments. Regarding entries made by personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the results of our investigation showed that no entries were submitted.

Question:
From a civilian control perspective, yesterday at a Diet Committee there was debate as to whether the appointment of the Air Self-Defense Force Chief should be approved by the Diet. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
Regarding the issue concerning the Air Self-Defense Force Chief, the Minister of Defense played a central role and action has taken place. I think that this is what can be referred to as civilian control.

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