(* 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: Friday, February 8, 2008, 8:53 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Attendance at the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy by Foreign Minister Koumura
Arrest of Ex-sumo Stablemaster Tokitsukaze
Incident of Health Hazard Thought to be Caused by Chinese-made Frozen Dumplings

1. Attendance at the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy by Foreign Minister Koumura

Minister:
I will go to Munich beginning this Saturday.

2. Arrest of Ex-sumo Stablemaster Tokitsukaze

(See Japanese version.)

3. Incident of Health Hazard Thought to be Caused by Chinese-made Frozen Dumplings

Question:
There have been reports that a new case has been discovered in which a foreign object was found inside the packaging of a sealed dumpling package. It appears that there is an increasingly high possibility that it was mixed in to the packaging in China. The other day you talked about the current situation stressing the importance of not allowing this to excessively disrupt Japan-China relations. However, now, only a few days later, we are seeing this kind of new development. In light of that, what do you think will be the influence that this exerts on Japan-China relations, and how do you intend to respond to that in the future?

Minister:
When a situation like this occurs, it is bound to exert a negative influence. However, as I said at the very beginning, there is absolutely no change in the fact that in order to minimize as much as possible that negative influence, the authorities concerned both in Japan and China are working to clarify exactly what was the cause of this problem and to put in place all necessary measures to ensure that there is no recurrence of this situation.

Question:
In the past, you have stated that you fully understand the great importance of food safety. Some say that it would be better to increase Japan's food self-sufficiency rate. What do you think will be the influence that this exerts on negotiations that Japan undertakes regarding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and on Japan's overall diplomacy?

Minister:
I believe that we must absolutely proactively advance FTAs because they play the role of complementing the role carried out by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Furthermore, I think that all due consideration must be paid when advancing such FTAs that touch on any sensitive issues. However considering concerns that consumers have for food safety and the benefits of local consumption of locally-produced products, I do think it would be preferable if there was a natural increase in the food self-sufficiency rate.

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