(* 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: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 9:34 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakasone's Visit to China
The Agreement concerning the Relocation of the US Marines in Okinawa to Guam
North Korean Issues
Japan-US Summit Talks
Establishment of a Special Envoy for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan
Receipt of Academy Award for Best Foreign Film by a Japanese Movie

1. Opening Statement

Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakasone's Visit to China

Minister:
I would like to visit Beijing, China, from February 28 to March 1 if I receive approval from the Diet. If approval is granted, it will be my first visit to China as Minister for Foreign Affairs. The detailed schedule is currently under adjustment, however, I plan to meet Dr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, for a Foreign Ministers' Meeting. I hope to give momentum to concrete activities to construct a "Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests" through candid dialogue.

Question:
What are the prospects of discussing issues such as the frozen dumplings incident and the start of negotiations on the gas fields?

Minister:
The agenda is currently under discussion. We plan to have a wide exchange of opinions on bilateral issues as well as on various issues concerning the international community. I hope to maintain close communication in order to resolve these various issues.

Question:
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, do you have any plans to bring up these issues?

Minister:
Regarding these issues, there are various matters to address, so I must think about issues by the time I make my visit.

Question:
Does this mean that you are not necessarily placing priority on the issues of the gas fields and the frozen dumplings?

Minister:
It is not a matter of which has first priority or second. I plan to make adjustments to the agenda with the Chinese side, so I have nothing to say at this time.

Question:
What issues would you like to discuss with the Chinese side?

Minister:
Since this is my first visit to China as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I believe it will be an exchange of opinions on a wide range of subjects. Of course, I believe we will discuss bilateral issues and issues concerning finance and the international community.

2. The Agreement concerning the Relocation of the US Marines in Okinawa to Guam

Question:
Regarding the Agreement concerning the Relocation of the US Marines in Okinawa to Guam, is it your plan to submit this to the Diet this week?

Minister:
It was approved at the Cabinet Meeting today.

Question:
Do you mean to say that the submission was decided on at today's Cabinet Meeting?

Minister:
Yes.

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
There have been some reports that a meeting between Kim Hyon-Hi, a former criminal sentenced to death, and the family of Ms. Yaeko Taguchi will take place sometime this weekend at the earliest. What are your thoughts on the prospects of the meeting taking place?

Minister:
The Japanese Government has been approaching the Government of the Republic of Korea for the early realization of a meeting based on the wishes of the Iizuka family. As I am sure you know, at the previous Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' meeting, Mr. Yu Myung-hwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, talked about realizing the meeting not so far in the future. Currently the ROK is making arrangements. I have not yet received any details regarding the date.

Question:
Is there any chance that it will be sometime this week?

Minister:
I do not know. All I can say is that adjustments are currently being made.

4. Japan-US Summit Talks

Question:
Regarding the issues of climate change and issues related to energy, there are media reports that a proposal to hold Japan-US-China trilateral talks will be made during the Japan-US Summit Talks. At the same time, in the environment sector, regarding the four areas of that sector, there is talk of development of next generation alternative automobiles, and there are reports that Japan may provide cooperation to the United States in this regard. Do you have any comment on this?

Minister:
Given that this will be the very first opportunity for President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Taro Aso to meet, I am sure that they will be discussing many things. As far as I am concerned what is most important is to confirm that we will strengthen the Japan-US alliance. As you are well aware, currently there are issues including those related to the international economy and the financial crisis, as well as issues related to terrorism, and just as you have mentioned now, there are issues related to climate change and energy and various other global issues. Moreover, there is also the importance of securing peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. I cannot state exactly what will be discussed during the limited amount of time that the leaders have. I am sure that this will be decided upon by the Prime Minister. In any event, I am sure that a frank discussion will take place.

5. Establishment of a Special Envoy for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan

Question:
There are media reports that a Special Ambassador will be established for assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Can you confirm the facts regarding that?

Minister:
Nothing has been decided about this as of yet. Concerning what exact shape the government approach to that region will take, I am sure that you are aware of the concrete assistance measures that have been taken. But many things are being undertaken at the present time and the United States has also taken measures in that regard, but ultimately no decision has been taken on what Japan will do for its part in this regard.

6. Receipt of Academy Award for Best Foreign Film by a Japanese Movie

Question:
Yesterday a Japanese movie received an Academy Award in the United States. Can you tell us your thoughts on that?

Minister:
First of all, I think it is wonderful that this film received an Academy Award. For the past year I served as the Chair of the Culture and Traditions Council of the Liberal Democratic Party. I compiled a report calling for greater efforts to enhance the strategic dissemination of Japanese culture abroad. Furthermore, as somebody who has served as Japan's Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, I have also made efforts to promote Japanese culture and to steadily disseminate it abroad. From that perspective, this is something that I am extremely happy about and I certainly expect that in the future other awards will be forthcoming. I think it is indeed wonderful that the world is recognizing not only Japan's traditional cultures but its contemporary movies and pop culture and other new art forms.

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