(* 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: Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 8:47 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Incident of Health Hazard Thought to be caused by Chinese-made Frozen Dumplings
Northern Territories Issue
Exchange of Notes on the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law

1. Incident of Health Hazard Thought to be caused by Chinese-made Frozen Dumplings

Question:
I understand that the investigation team sent by the Government of Japan to China will undertake its investigation activities from today. What are your expectations?

Minister:
Today the team will exchange opinions with the quarantine authorities in China and then it will travel to the region to visit the factory. At any rate, it is most important for the Governments of Japan and China to cooperate in order to identify the cause of the problem and prevent its reoccurrence. I would like them to undertake all the necessary exchange of opinions in order to accomplish that.

Question:
It appears that in China there are some exaggerated opinions being spread across the Internet and other media alleging that this is in fact the act of Japanese themselves who have done this intentionally.

Minister:
If people on both sides in our countries were to respond to such extreme opinions it would only invite other more extreme opinions just as in the past and therefore, I would like everyone to respond calmly. At the very least, there is complete agreement between our two governments that we will cooperate thoroughly in order to identify what really happened and strive to prevent any reoccurrence.

Question:
To what degree has the Chinese side responded proactively in providing cooperation in that regard?

Minister:
They have been extremely cooperative in that regard. In fact, it would be problematic for the Chinese as well if the facts are not clarified and Japanese people do not rest assured. It is not just a matter of the Japanese people but unless people all around the world are reassured it will be problematic for China. That is why it is in line with the national interests of China itself to thoroughly determine what actually happened, identify the cause and make efforts to prevent any such reoccurrence. I am sure that they will be very thorough in their efforts in order to accomplish that.

Question:
There have also been complaints that after only one week after the notification was received from Japan, the Chinese side successively issued the results of their investigations and that these were no more than predetermined conclusions. What is your thought on that?

Minister:
As I have said very clearly, food safety really amounts to whether or not consumers feel that their food is safe. And therefore, any kind of predetermined conclusion will not work. I think that this question is similar to the kind of excessive response on the Internet coming out of China.

2. Northern Territories Issue

Question:
February 7 is designated as the "Northern Territories Day." Can you give us a statement regarding the current situation of the negotiations aimed at having the territories returned and what direction efforts are being made toward resolving the situation?

Minister:
We are talking about a sovereign territory of Japan and therefore we must absolutely have it returned. Unless it is returned, we cannot expect any kind of dynamic development in the friendly relations between Japan and Russia. The current situation is one which I would not describe as us being satisfied to lock horns but given that we must solve this territorial issue in order to create dynamic friendly relations, we are making our utmost efforts to achieve that.

3. Exchange of Notes on the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law

Question:
This afternoon, a signing ceremony will be held on the Exchange of Notes on the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law. Even though the details will not be available until a little later, I would like to ask your views on the fact that it at last reached this point after a long process.

Minister:
You refer to the process of this taking a long time. When the law was passed I had a very special feeling, but it is natural to go through the process of exchanging notes, therefore I do not have a special feeling for exchanging notes itself.

Question:
Do you have anything to say about the content?

Minister:
I think the content is quite good.

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