(* 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 Hirofumi Nakasone

Date: Friday, February 13, 2009, 9:26 a.m.
Place: In front of the Cabinet Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Visit to Japan by Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States

1. Opening Statement

Visit to Japan by Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States

Minister:
As you already know, from 16 February until 18 February, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States, will visit Japan. On 17 February, Foreign Ministerial Talks will be held and a Working Lunch will take place. In addition to that, the Agreement to Relocate the US Marines Stationed in Okinawa to Guam will be signed, following which a Joint Press Conference will be held. After that, in the afternoon, Secretary of State Clinton is scheduled to attend a tea party hosted by Her Majesty The Empress of Japan. Furthermore, Secretary of State Clinton will make a courtesy call on Prime Minister Taro Aso sometime in the evening and afterwards will attend an evening banquet hosted by Prime Minister Aso.

Question:
There has been a media report that at the time of the visit made to North Korea by Mr. Stephen Bosworth, former US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, he hand-delivered a memorandum from Secretary of State Clinton calling on North Korea to achieve progress in nuclear disablement. Can you confirm whether you are aware of those facts, and, if those are facts, can you tell us whether you were informed in advance by the United States that they intended to take such a document to North Korea?

Minister:
I am certainly aware of the media reports. There was no communication in advance. This is a matter concerning two third-party countries and therefore I would prefer to refrain from making any comment on it. Given that Secretary of State Clinton will be coming to Japan, we will certainly speak about the importance of the Six-Party Talks and I also suppose that we will have some time to talk about North Korean issues.

Question:
You often speak about the importance of maintaining close coordination amongst Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea regarding North Korea. Don't you think that in light of that position, there should have been a thorough communication of that in advance of the visit to North Korea?

Minister:
I do not think that it is the case that everything should be communicated all the time. I think that is the case because there are many aspects to diplomacy. In any event, I do intend to have a thorough conversation with Secretary of State Clinton.

Question:
It has become apparent that Secretary of State Clinton will take the unprecedented step as a cabinet member of the Government of the United States of arranging a meeting with Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, President of the Democratic Party of Japan. I believe that the Secretary of State will be doing this in order to prepare for a possible change in government to the opposition party, but it appears to be a development which could even be described as a kind of turning point in Japan-US diplomacy. Please share with us your thoughts on this change in attitude on the part of the United States from your perspective as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Minister:
I am aware of these media reports. Whether the United States has undergone a change in attitude and whether the Secretary will meet with Mr. Ozawa are matters on which I would prefer to refrain from commenting.

Question:
I believe that in the past, there were some waves between the United States and Japan regarding whether Mr. Ozawa's treatment vis-à-vis then US Ambassador to Japan Schieffer was rude. I believe that if, during this upcoming visit, Mr. Ozawa takes the same attitude with Secretary of State Clinton, then it is possible that this could have an influence on Japan-US relations. What are your thoughts about this?

Minister:
I prefer to refrain from commenting on whether such talks will be realized and what may happen in the event that such talks are realized.

Question:
Overall, regarding the visit to Japan by Secretary of State Clinton, focusing on the talks that will take place on Tuesday, are there any specific points that you would like to emphasize, or are there any points that you would strongly like to confirm? What will be the focus of those talks?

Minister:
Currently, we are facing various issues, in particular those shared by the international community, such as the business environment, financial issues, issues related to climate change and the situations in the Middle East. I would like to have a thorough conversation about those issues. Furthermore, there are issues such as North Korean issues, the issue of the Six-Party Talks, the issue of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and more importantly, there is the strengthening of Japan-US relations, and, in particular, the issue of the Japan-US Alliance. That is a general, broad breakdown of the agenda.

Question:
What are the developments regarding a meeting between Secretary of State Clinton and the family members of the abductees, including the Yokota family?

Minister:
When I spoke with Secretary of State Clinton over the telephone, she suggested that she has very strong thoughts and sympathy toward the families of the abductees and toward the people of Japan as a whole. Regarding a meeting between the Secretary of State and the families of the abductees, there was a request for such a meeting from the families, and for my part, from the perspective of the Government of Japan, we also worked on the US side to realize such a occasion. Regarding the itinerary for that potential meeting, I believe that the coordination is being taken care of by the United States side, and I believe that the United States side is giving positive, forward-looking consideration to arranging such a meeting. I think that concrete adjustments are being made in order to facilitate that.

Question:
So are you saying there is still no concrete decision?

Minister:
I have not yet received any final report about that.

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