(* 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, September 2, 2008, 10:50 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

North Korean Issues
Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting
Refueling Activities in the Indian Ocean
Declaration of State of Emergency in Bangkok
Possibility of the Prime Minister Attending the United Nations General Assembly

1. North Korean Issues

Question:
Regarding the issue of the abductions conducted by North Korea, do you think there will be any influence exerted on the resuming of the investigation? Moreover, in the event that North Korea does re-launch the investigation, given the recent circumstances of Prime Minister Fukuda's resignation, will the Government of Japan be able to make a decision to lift the sanctions?

Minister:
If North Korea feels that Japan will not make a decision to lift measures against them, they will not begin the investigation. From our perspective, we would like North Korea to establish an authoritative investigation committee as soon as possible, to discover the survivors and return them back to Japan. As long as North Korea keeps their promise, we are ready to do what we promised. If Japan does not do what it promised but urges North Korea to make an immediate action toward what they promised, there is no reason for us to expect that they will begin the investigation.

Question:
I know that Japan wants an investigation committee to be established quickly, but under the circumstances North Korea may wonder what position the next Japanese Cabinet will take, don't you think that there is a concern that it may delay the establishment of an investigation committee?

Minister:
There is no point in imagining such things. If you would like to get an answer to that question, ask it to North Korea. All we are saying is that we want North Korea to do quickly what they promised, and in return we will do the things that we promised.

2. Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting

Question:
Can you tell me what is going on regarding the Japan-China-ROK Summit?

Minister:
Regarding the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting, we have not made any decision on either date or venue yet. Therefore, more efforts are needed to fix the date and the venue.

Question:
Do you still hope that it can be held by the end of this month?

Minister:
There may be some influence exerted on the date. However, we do not believe that there will be any negative influence on diplomacy even if the date is postponed. Still, we are eager to host the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting. We have not received a response from the ROK yet. I think it is important to arrange the Japan-China-ROK Summit Meeting regardless of its date and venue.

3. Replenishment Operations in the Indian Ocean

Question:
Will the announcement by Prime Minister Fukuda of his resignation have any negative impact on the bill to extend the replenishment operations?

Minister:
I think it would be a problem if any negative impact occurred. And during my tenure in this position, I will do my very best to pass the bill.

4. Declaration of State of Emergency in Bangkok

Question:
A Declaration of State of Emergency has been issued in Bangkok. How do you analyze the current situation in Thailand?

Minister:
I hope that the situation is restored as quickly as possible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking measures to provide Japanese nationals with information regarding the situation. Although the Declaration of a State of Emergency was issued based on the laws of Thailand, I do believe that even the Government of Thailand feels that it is not desirable for that situation to prevail for a very long time and therefore I hope that the situation can be calmly restored as quickly as possible.

5. Possibility of the Prime Minister Attending the United Nations General Assembly

Question:
During the last two years Japan's Prime Minister did not attend the United Nations General Assembly. Does it seem very difficult for the Prime Minister to attend the General Assembly this year as well?

Minister:
I am not sure about that. Putting aside the question of who will be Prime Minister, I do not think that we can absolutely state that it will be difficult for the Prime Minister to attend. I would like to consider this matter in accordance with the opposition parties' thinking about the Diet's management.

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