(* 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, May 27, 2008, 8:52 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement
TICAD IV
North Korean Issues

1. Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement

Minister:
With regard to the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement, at today's Cabinet meeting, we have decided to exchange notes on its entry into force. We will exchange notes on 1 June and one month after that on 1 July, the EPA will come into effect. This year has been designated as the "Japan-Indonesia Friendship Year," marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. We hope that, taking this year as an opportunity, the economic relations between our countries, which even now are mutually deep, will expand further going forward.

2. TICAD IV

Question:
Tomorrow, the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) will commence. Bilateral talks, followed by a ministerial level preliminary meeting will be held, too. Once again, what do you expect to see?

Minister:
TICAD IV is held under the theme "Towards a Vibrant Africa": Acceleration of growth, human security, working conscientiously to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, as well as making advances in areas such as the environment and climate change. At today's ministerial level preliminary meeting, we will try to compile three official documents: the Yokohama Declaration, the Yokohama Action Plan, and the TICAD IV Follow-up Mechanism to present them at the Summit Meeting held from tomorrow. A fair amount of hard work will be required since there appears to be varying opinions among the African countries, but we will work conscientiously, and expect that the Summit Meeting held from tomorrow will proceed smoothly. Whatever happens, in order to achieve the desired aim of "Towards a Vibrant Africa," the Prime Minister has to work at full capacity. For me, doing this job is as tough as running a marathon, but the Prime Minister must effectively run the Ironman Race, which is as challenging as a triathlon. We are going to do our utmost towards this end.

Related Information (TICAD IV)

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
Regarding the Six-Party Talks, US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill has arrived in Beijing, and will enter into talks with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan from today, part of which will concern the Japanese abductions issue. When Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Akitaka Saiki arrives in Beijing tomorrow, he will ask how the discussions went. What results do you expect from the US-North Korea talks?

Minister:
Along with its efforts to advance the nuclear issue, the United States has for some time been strongly urging North Korea to advance its relations with Japan including the abductions issue. It is gratifying that the US puts in enormous effort and I hope they will continue this drive. The Government of Japan itself also intends to put forth efforts in advancing Japan-North Korea relations, focusing on the abductions issue.

Question:
We have asked this question many times before but I would like to ask you what would your views be if the situation turned out that even though no sufficient progress was made on the abductions issue, the United States removed North Korea from its list of nations sponsoring terrorism?

Minister:
The United States is well aware of Japan's position and therefore, I understand that the United States has encouraged North Korea to make progress in Japan-North Korea relations, in particular on the abductions issue.

Question:
Regarding the contents of the declaration on the nuclear plans, it seems that after all, the contents are focused on details such as the amount of plutonium, and it appears that the declaration will not include details related to nuclear weapons and other matters. What is your view on that?

Minister:
From Japan's perspective, the declaration provides the base of determining the range of abandonment or what elements of the nuclear plans will be abandoned in the future. As such, Japan believes that in the second phase, a thorough declaration is necessary.

Question:
I believe that quite naturally during the consultations between the United States and North Korea, the conversation will include removing North Korea from the list of nations sponsoring terrorism. In that context, as some media reports predict, it appears that there will be a discussion of the possibility of expelling the four Japanese activists involved in the "Yodo-go" high jacking from North Korea to Beijing. Hypothetically, if that were to happen, would Japan regard that as progress or not? Please tell me your thoughts on this matter once again.

Minister:
From the perspective of the Government of Japan, the Government of Japan itself has stated that it is necessary for progress to be made on the abductions issue in order for Japan to repeal or ease the existing sanctions. At the same time, Japan has conveyed this position to the US as well. From the perspective of the Government of Japan, it has been our long-held position to request that the suspects involved in the "Yodo-go" high jacking be handed over to Japan and therefore, that would be good indeed. But it is extremely difficult for the Government of Japan to deem this issue itself to be important progress in the abductions issue, as a reason for the Government of Japan to make any new decisions. Japan's views in this area have been conveyed to the US.

Question:
Is there a possibility that during these talks, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Saiki will engage in consultations with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim?

Minister:
I believe that Mr. Saiki will maintain close communication with the United States. If Vice Foreign Minister Kim would like to have a meeting, then I do not imagine that there is any reason to refuse.

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