(* 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, December 5, 2008, 9:51 a.m.
Place: In front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Visit to Japan by Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
North Korean Issues
Attendance of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Ceremony

1. Opening Statement

Visit to Japan by Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico

Minister:
Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States will visit Japan from December 6 to December 9 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity between Japan and Mexico. During her stay in Japan, Secretary Espinosa will have an audience with the Crown Prince. She is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Mr. Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, and we will also hold a foreign ministers' meeting. At the foreign ministers' meeting, we will exchange opinions on matters of interest to both countries, such as the climate change issue and the 400th anniversary of relations between Japan and Mexico that is to be commemorated next year, and I hope to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

2. North Korean Issues

Question:
In Singapore, the US and North Korea are taking part in consultations related to the Six-Party Talks. Have there been reports of any new developments?

Minister:
There haven't been any reports. However, as the consultations are still ongoing, I would like to wait for the results.

Question:
Are there any expectations relating to the Six-Party Talks to be held next week?

Minister:
It is vital for the verification protocol agreed upon by the US and North Korea in October to be put into writing, and I hope that an agreement regarding this will be reached during the talks in Singapore.

Question:
A delegation from North Korea will attend next week's Six-Party Talks. I believe that there is some hope that Japan and North Korea will hold consultations at this time. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
We are taking this matter very seriously as there is also the matter of the abduction issue. We expect a reinvestigation of the abduction issue, so I would like to hold Japan-North Korean Consultations if there is an opportunity. However, I do not know whether scheduling such a meeting will be possible for the North Korean side. Nothing has been decided yet.

3. Attendance of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Ceremony

Question:
The Convention on Cluster Munitions has been signed. I believe that a relevant domestic legal basis needs to be developed quickly and discussions to this end will be held during the ordinary Diet session. What are your thoughts regarding the schedule on this matter?

Minister:
I hope that deliberations at the Diet regarding this matter will be held and concluded swiftly.

Related Information (Press Release)

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