(* 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 19, 2008, 9:12 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

General Election in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Collision of a Maritime Self-Defense Forces Destroyer "Atago" and Fishing Vessel "Seitoku-maru"
Detecting Poison from a Vinegared Mackerel Processed in China
Ministerial Preparatory Conference for Tokyo International Conference on African Development IV (TICAD IV)
Recognition of Kosovo's Independence
Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea

1. General Election in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Minister:
Regarding the elections held in Pakistan, an election observer mission was dispatched from Japan and I have received a report from the head of that mission, Mr. Takao Kawakami, former Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, to the effect that the elections took place in a relatively calm environment. Of course, I am aware that there were some casualties as a result of conflicts that took place between political parties but overall there was no significant chaos and the elections were able to be held in a relatively calm manner. Furthermore, although the ballots have yet to be tallied, and therefore we cannot yet declare it to have been held in an overall fair manner, I do believe that the very fact that Pakistan was able to overcome the major chaos as a result of causes such as the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and that elections could be held in a relatively calm environment means a certain progress.

Pakistan must play an important role as a front line state in the fight against terrorism, and, furthermore, it is essential that progress be made in the process of democratization. As such, Japan intends to continue to provide it with assistance.

2. Collision of a Maritime Self-Defense Forces Destroyer "Atago" and Fishing Vessel "Seitoku-maru"

Question:
Although I know this does not fall directly under your jurisdiction, in the early hours of this morning there was a collision between an Aegis destroyer and a fishing vessel in the waters off of Chiba Prefecture. Do you have any comment on that?

Minister:
It is an extremely regrettable accident. I understand that at this very moment both the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Coast Guard are undertaking search and rescue operations. At any rate, I do certainly hope that a thorough investigation will be made into the cause of this accident to determine what happened and to ensure that everything is done for recurrence prevention.

3. Detecting Poison from a Vinegared Mackerel Processed in China

Question:
It appears that dichlorvos was detected in vinegared mackerel processed in China. Do you have any comments on what will be done about that?

Minister:
This is a matter related to food safety, and it once again affects the food safety in Japan. Seen from the Chinese perspective as well, this will result in a loss of confidence on the part of Japanese consumers, which is a serious problem for the Chinese as well. As was the case with the problem of dumplings, there is a need for the both sides the relevant to thoroughly implement measures, and to cooperate on all those matters that require cooperation, and the dumpling issue, must be resolved or get a conclusion as quickly as possible, and therefore, there is a need to continue a rigorous investigation or examination.

4. Ministerial Preparatory Conference for Tokyo International Conference on African Development IV (TICAD IV)

Question:
At the end of March a ministerial preparatory conference for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development IV (TICAD IV) will take place in Gabon. Are you planning on attending that?

Minister:
If the Diet grants its approval, I would like to attend that meeting.

Related Information (TICAD IV)

5. Recognition of Kosovo's Independence

Question:
Regarding the situation in Kosovo, it appears that there is an increasingly fast pace in the move amongst nations in Europe and North America to recognize the independence of Kosovo. How do you feel the situation is progressing concerning Japan's response to this and Japan's movement toward recognition?

Minister:
Simply stated, this is a matter of whether or not the government of Japan will recognize the conditions requisite for independence. As conditions requisite for recognition, first of all, we must determine whether or not the legitimate government exercises effective sovereignty, the government of Japan must thoroughly determine whether or not a government can be described as being a legitimate government exercising effective sovereignty and whether or not said government has both the intent and capacity to observe international law. The determination on the recognition fundamentally rests therein. We do not intend to prolong the situation unnecessarily, nor do we intend to rush through this process.

6. Issue of Gas Fields in the East China Sea

Question:
Please describe the current situation of the Japan-China consultations on the issue of gas fields in the East China Sea.

Minister:
The current situation is, and this is as I have repeated many times before, that the leaders of both of our nations hold the view that this issue must be resolved. Although there was a very significant gap in our respective positions, the current situation is such that significant progress has been made in mutual understanding. However, there still remain some mountains that must be scaled.

Back to Index