(* 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, April 17, 2009, 8:55 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Dispatch of Japan's Civilian Assistance Team to the Chaghcharan PRT in Afghanistan
Representative of the Government of Japan Shotaro Yachi's Comment Regarding the Northern Territories

1. Opening Statement

Dispatch of Japan's Civilian Assistance Team to the Chaghcharan PRT in Afghanistan

Minister:
Today the Pakistan Donors Conference and the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group Ministerial Meeting will be held. Afghanistan and Pakistan are regions facing severe situations. These meetings will be held with the international community regarding this region in its entirety, and will extend support actively and with a broad viewpoint. Additionally, as part of Japan's assistance in Afghanistan, a civilian assistance team will be dispatched to the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) in Afghanistan from May to June. This was announced in January. The team, composed of Foreign Ministry officials, will be dispatched to the Japanese embassy in Afghanistan and work in cooperation with the Lithuanian team located in Chaghcharan.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. Representative of the Government of Japan Shotaro Yachi's Comment Regarding the Northern Territories

Question:
An interview by Mr. Shotaro Yachi, Representative of the Government of Japan, regarding the Northern Territories was published in today's Mainichi Shimbun. Mr. Yachi suggested the idea of splitting the land area and returning 3.5 of the four islands. What is the Government's stance on this?

Minister:
The Government's basic line has not changed. The policy remains that a Japan-Russia Peace Treaty should be concluded by resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Islands. However, the timing and the steps for the return of the Islands shall be negotiated flexibly.

Question:
When you say, "resolving the issue of the attribution," does this mean that after it has been decided that all four of the Islands are attributed to Japan, you will think about issues such as when the Islands will be returned and in what manner?

Minister:
Yes, exactly. All four of the Islands.

Question:
A representative is a person who holds a government position. What is your opinion on such a person publicly announcing an opinion that conflicts with the government's official policy?

Minister:
I have only just heard about the media report. However, the Government's policy has not changed, therefore I will think about this from here on out.

Question:
Does that mean you think that it is not a good thing or that it is an undesirable thing?

Minister:
It means that I have just heard about it and I need to have more details before making a comment.

Question:
Will you talk to Mr. Yachi directly?

Minister:
I do not know yet. I must receive information on what was said.

Question:
Has this opinion been conveyed to the Russian side?

Minister:
As I have been stating, the Government's basic line of policy remains the same. We are consistent in our position towards Russia that a peace treaty should be concluded by resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Islands, as I have just said.

Question:
Is this Government policy thoroughly confirmed by the Prime Minister? Has it been confirmed that Representative Yachi's opinion differs from that of the Government?

Minister:
This has been stated by the Prime Minister during meetings with the Russian side and has not changed.

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