(* 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 12, 2008, 9:15 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Policy Speech on Water and Sanitation
Suspected Assault by US Marine of a Schoolgirl in Okinawa
Mayoral Election in Iwakuni
Media Reports about Diplomatic Records
Incident of Health Hazard Thought to be Caused by Chinese-made Frozen Dumplings

1. Policy Speech on Water and Sanitation

Minister:
If circumstances in the Diet permit, I will hold a policy speech on "water and sanitation" on February 22 at the United Nations University. This year is the International Year of Sanitation, which Japan led in establishing, and I will hold the policy speech at this commemorative symposium.

At present, one in five people living in developing countries are not able to use safe water, and "water and sanitation" has been established as one of the Millennium Development Goals. This issue will be brought up at TICAD IV and the G8 Summit, and I will hold a policy speech regarding the subject on February 22.

2. Suspected Assault by US Marine of a Schoolgirl in Okinawa

Question:
Two days ago, another inexcusable case of assault by a US serviceman in Okinawa took place. What are your thoughts on this issue? Also, how do you feel that this will impact Japan-US relations, including the future relocation of the base?

Minister:
Yesterday Mr. Shinichi Nishimiya, Director-General, North American Affairs Bureau, noted that, precisely as you say, this is an inexcusable act and extremely regrettable, and he requested of the US side that they enforce strict discipline and take measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such an act. Part of me wants to say, "Stop it, that's enough." The Japanese side currently has custody of the suspect and we will take firm measures based on the law and evidence. Regarding an impact on issues such as that of base relocation, this is an emotional issue for Okinawa residents, so this will surely impact such factors. In addressing this issue, how steadily do both Japan and US authorities work on this problem? The Japanese authorities will conduct a thorough investigation and the US authorities will cooperate in that investigation. This is an issue of whether or not we can minimize the negative impact on Japanese-US relations by these measures, and by how strictly discipline is enforced to prevent a reoccurrence and how Okinawa residents are made to feel safe. I believe that this incident is impossible not to impact Japan-US relations.

Question:
The incident of assault of a young girl by Marines once led to the agreement for the return of Futenma Air Station. The governor of Okinawa is demanding that Futenma be closed within three years during the realignment of US Forces. These demands may become stronger in the future. Does the Foreign Ministry plan to pressure the US side in regards to this issue?

Minister:
The fundamental issue behind relocating the Futenma facilities is the danger associated with airplanes flying in the area. Therefore, the greatest answer to this problem is eliminating that danger by swiftly relocating the facilities as has been decided. The Japanese Government has hitherto made efforts for that purpose and intends to continue said efforts. This new issue, however, is not about the danger of airplanes having accidents, but rather about the US Forces' strict enforcement of discipline. Therefore, discipline will have to be properly enforced even if the forces are relocated to another location. I believe that this is an issue that calls for the firm enforcement of discipline wherever the base is located.

Question:
Japanese authorities have custody of the suspect this time, and Okinawa becomes extremely adamant about making fundamental revisions to the Status of US Forces Agreement each time this type of incident occurs. The government has thus far handled this by conducting operational improvements. How will you address future demands from Okinawa for fundamental amendments to the Status of US Forces Agreement if they are made?

Minister:
The Status of US Forces Agreement will not interfere at all with an investigation by Japan of this incident. Therefore, there is no direct relationship between this incident and the Status of US Forces Agreement, as the Japanese Government will secure custody over the suspect and carry out a thorough investigation quietly based on laws and evidence.

Question:
Was discussion on this incident of assault in Okinawa brought up after the Cabinet Meeting? Also, there is a Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs. How does the government plan on addressing this issue?

Minister:
Before the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs told me that we should cooperate on this issue.

Question:
A reoccurrence prevention program was created for US Forces residing in Japan in response to the 1995 assault incident. Will the government make suggestions such as revising the effectiveness of the program, and are you considering more concrete measures?

Minister:
We have just requested the stricter enforcement of discipline by US Forces. Furthermore, as this sort of incident has occurred before, I believe that the US Forces must investigate what the problem is. We are steadfastly requesting that the US strictly enforce discipline, and, as a result, create a framework that would prevent a reoccurrence of such an incident.

3. Mayoral Election in Iwakuni

Question:
In the mayoral election in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, a candidate who has accepted the realignment of US forces in Japan was elected as mayor. Could you tell us how you view this result?

Minister:
Putting aside the fact that the winning candidate Fukuda is a friend of mine, because it was a very close race, we must take note of the feelings of the citizens of Iwakuni. We must take note of the feelings of all the citizens. And in so doing, we would like to appeal the Government's attitude and the Government's ideas concerning this issue so that the people of Iwakuni understand us well, and we would like to proceed with the matter under such circumstances. Concerning the issue of carrier air wing conducting training at the Iwakuni Air Station, the Government is going to ask the people of Iwakuni for their further understanding of this matter.

4. Media Reports about Diplomatic Records

Question:
On Saturday, Sankei Shimbun reported that there were missing records concerning contacts and negotiations between Japan and North Korea at the stage when you were preparing for former Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to North Korea, it is not clear that the records were not made in the first place, or they were made and have subsequently gone missing? What is the standpoint of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regard to this report?

Minister:
I have no intention of revealing the details of direct correspondence exchanged in the course of diplomatic negotiations, nor of the sort of things that took place at the preparation stage.

Question:
Aside from what sort of exchanges took place, what about the management of the documents?

Minister:
I have no intention of speaking about the preparation stage either. However, I can tell you that the handing over of documents at that time was carried out properly inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so there will be no problems in proceeding with diplomacy from now on. That is all I can tell you.

Question:
Aside from whether there will be any interference with diplomacy, what is your comment on this issue?

Minister:
If we continue with this it will just turn into a quarrel.

Question:
I urge you to give me a proper direct answer. Management of the documents is an issue to which people are paying attention, and not just a matter of my own personal interest. There has been a report that certain diplomatic records might be missing, so could you please answer sincerely as to whether such diplomatic records have actually been lost or not, and as to whether or not an investigation will be carried out?

Minister:
I do not think there is any need to conduct an investigation at this time, and the handing over of documents at the time in question was performed properly. I would like to tell you that.

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

Question:
Concerning the Chinese-made frozen dumplings incident, are you satisfied with the Chinese response so far? Also, at the present stage, can you tell us whether the cause of the problem lies in China or in Japan?

Minister:
We have not yet reached a stage where we can draw any conclusions, but the cooperation between Japan and China carried out reasonably. Just as there is criticism of the way various things are done in Japan, so the Chinese way of doing these things may not be perfect. But it is important for both sides to continue cooperating properly from now on too, and to uncover the truth. I think that wide-ranging cooperation has been taking place between the investigating authorities, and the food sanitation authorities are also cooperating with each other. If I were to use the word "satisfaction," I would then be asked whether I was 100% satisfied or not, but to put aside such questions, let me say that I believe the cooperation between our two countries is being reasonably carried out.

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