(* 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, June 10, 2008, 9:46 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Making Strategic Use of Bilateral Investment Treaties
Japan-North Korea Consultations
Collision off Uotsurijima Island
Incident Involving the Provision of Goods to Officials Using Late Night Taxis
Current Situation of the Diet Deliberations
International Conference in Support of Afghanistan

1. Making Strategic Use of Bilateral Investment Treaties

Minister:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently compiled its policy on how to make strategic use of bilateral investment treaties. We intend to incorporate it into to the Economic Growth Strategy and propose it to the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy. After thoroughly grasping such factors as where the actual needs are, we intend to proactively conclude such treaties with those nations with natural resources and the key nations in each region.

Question:
Regarding bilateral investment treaties, please outline the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and furthermore could you please tell us about how the process actually works for concluding bilateral investment treaties?

Minister:
Currently in the Japanese economy the surplus in income revenues, or investment revenues, is now exceeding the surplus of trade accounts. In these situations, the Japanese economy must continue to function properly despite the continued declining birthrate. We must also promote trade as a nation with strengths in creating products. At the same time, Japan must make investments to earn returns. In addition, while I do not think it is a good idea, the world may fall into a scramble for securing natural resources. If such a situation materializes, we must prepare appropriate countermeasures. From that perspective, we must produce a situation where it is easy to invest in countries with natural resources. Against these backdrops we will pay particular attention to areas such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin America as well as Central Asia, and in particular countries with natural resources or key countries in each region. Of course we have already made great strides forward in that, however we need to accelerate these efforts because relevant provisions are incorporated in bilateral investment treaties or for economic partnership agreements (EPA).

Related Information (FTA and EPA)

2. Japan-North Korea Consultations

Question:
Tomorrow official consultations will be held between Japan and North Korea. Obviously it would be insufficient simply to hold a meeting. What kind of concrete progress do you think can be made in terms of bringing home the abductees? What is your current outlook in that regard?

Minister:
I must say that I currently do not have a particularly optimistic feeling that we will be able to make the abductees return right away. I want the Japan-North Korea consultations to take place with a strong hope that some degree of progress toward returning of all of the abductees to Japan will be made. Naturally, it would be wonderful if a large degree of progress could be achieved but I think that it probably will be difficult to achieve great progress all at once. Of course simply holding the meeting is not enough therefore, we must achieve some degree of progress. The situation does not allow me to be optimistic but I have hope. Of course if the other side takes a big step forward and takes concrete action, we are certainly ready to take a big step forward and take concrete action as well. However, if the other side takes a small step forward then we will certainly take a small step forward, and small concrete actions as well. At the Six-Party Talks, each party has been urged to take respective concrete actions. Therefore, our counterpart must do what it has been obliged to do and after that we will evaluate to what extent we can act in response to the other party's actions.

3. Collision off Uotsurijima Island

Question:
It is reported that this morning a fishing vessel collided with a patrol boat, in the territorial waters around Uotsurijima Island. What is the background to this collision?

Minister:
I have not heard that yet. What I can tell you is that prior to the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport spoke about that incident. Of course I have already heard about it on the news and I suppose that later on I will get a more detailed report of what happened.

Question:
Has it been revealed whether it was just a simple fishing vessel or one with political purpose?

Minister:
I have various ideas within the realm of assumptions. Now I have no valid information at hand with which I can clearly define the situations.

4. Incident Involving the Provision of Goods to Officials Using Late Night Taxis

(See Japanese version.)

5. Current Situation of the Diet Deliberations

Question:
We are approaching the end of the current Diet session. I have heard some statements that the Diet session may be extended by a week or so, still, we have not seen final approval yet on various treaties including the Japan-ASEAN Economic Partnership Agreement. What are your views on the outlook for that?

Minister:
From my perspective, I very much hope that the Diet will give approval to the six treaties, including the Japan-ASEAN Economic Partnership Agreement. Considering that this treaty has the approval of the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito Party on the part of the Coalition Government, as well as the approval of the opposition parties, I very much hope it will be carried at the Diet. Exactly how to get it through the Diet session is a question of the Diet and therefore I am not going to make any comment on exactly how it should be brought through the Diet. At any rate, as an outcome, I very much hope that it will get through the Diet; that is my wish in this regard.

6. International Conference in Support of Afghanistan

Question:
Can you tell me what is going to be done about the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, and specifically whether or not you will attend the conference?

Minister:
I very much hope to attend the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, in Paris. However, given my obligations in the Diet, I must await final approval from the Diet in that regard. That is where the situation stands right now.

Related Information (Press Release)

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