(* 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, September 19, 2008, 11:05 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main topic:
- Opening Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Cabinet Decision on Bill to Partially Revise the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law
1. Opening Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Cabinet Decision on Bill to Partially Revise the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law
Minister:
At today's Cabinet meeting the partial revision of the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law was approved. The replenishment support activities that take place in the Indian Ocean have been highly evaluated by each country involved, as well as by the United Nations, and as a result the activities have a direct impact on the national interest of Japan. The Special Measures Law provides the legal underpinning for the continuation of these activities and I expect that the revised bill will be enacted in the next session of the Diet.
Question:
You have just mentioned that the Cabinet has approved the bill to revise the Replenishment Support Measures Law, but given the current status, the outlook for a dissolution of the Diet and the ongoing strong opposition to this law by the opposition parties, what measures do you have in mind to enhance the understanding of the people of Japan?
Minister:
In Afghanistan, the administration of President Hamid Karzai was elected by the people of Afghanistan. The current situation is that military forces from approximately 40 countries are stationed in Afghanistan and are providing assistance to the Karzai Administration to maintain domestic law and order. Given constitutional issues in Japan and the current situation in Afghanistan, it is difficult to dispatch Self-Defense Forces within the national borders of Afghanistan, so at the very least we seek to provide assistance in the Indian Ocean, which is directly related to domestic security in Afghanistan, and to continue our efforts to ensure that terrorists do not have freedom of movement on the high seas. It would be very difficult for Japan to be directly involved in the Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation (OEF-MIO). For that reason Japan engages in a division of labor with those countries that are actually engaged in OEF-MIO by providing fuel and water, ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains peaceful. These activities prevent terrorists from transporting narcotics from Afghanistan and also from bringing arms into the country and, as a result, also serve as anti-piracy measures. It is the case that around three Japan-related vessels have been fired on by pirates in the past and these attacks have been dealt with by other vessels that form part of the Coalition of the Willing. The very fact that the Coalition of the Willing vessels are patrolling the waters means that not only do they deal with incidents that occur, but they also have a preventive effect, given the reality that the number of sightings of pirate vessels has greatly decreased. Japan is the country that benefits most from a peaceful Indian Ocean. Ninety percent of our oil is transported through those waters by tankers. In that sense, for Japan to stand on the sidelines and do nothing, while only reaping the benefits that others work towards would not be acceptable in the international community.
Question:
Was there a particular aim in having this revision bill approved by the Fukuda Cabinet, without waiting for the formation of a new Cabinet?
Minister:
It was simply the case that this was a decision that could be taken now by the Fukuda Cabinet. I would imagine that at the time the bill is submitted to the Diet it will be approved once again by the new Cabinet.
Related Information (Enactment of the Replenishment Support Special Measures Law)
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