(* 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 24, 2009, 9:36 a.m.
Place: In front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

Main topics:

Foreign Minister Nakasone's Address on Nuclear Disarmament
Japan-China Summit Meeting
The Prime Minister's Offering of Masakaki to Yasukuni Shrine
Site of the G8 Summit in Italy

1. Foreign Minister Nakasone's Address on Nuclear Disarmament

Question:
You will deliver an address on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation next Monday. What will be the topics of the address? What would be the core concepts, or the points you will stress in that address?

Minister:
We consider nuclear disarmament to be of extreme importance. We had studied the possibility of delivering an address, in consideration of a number of addresses given recently, such as the ones by US President Obama and former Secretary of State Kissinger. We believe that it would be desirable for Japan to clearly show the position it holds. That is why we have decided to deliver a Foreign Minister's address. I refrain from elaborating the content of the address as we are in the process of finalizing it.

2. Japan-China Summit Meeting

Question:
A Japan-China Summit Meeting is planned at the end of this month. Although a lot of positive things can be said about this, there remain some issues of concern, for example, the gas field issue in the East China Sea and the issue of dumplings. What is the prospect for these two issues?

Minister:
Japan and China had another summit meeting recently. I believe that communications between the two countries have been significantly improved through shuttle diplomacy. I am sure that the leaders will have a frank exchange of views on various issues at the upcoming meeting.

3. The Prime Minister's Offering of Masakaki at Yasukuni Shrine

Question:
China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are reacting against the Prime Minister's offering of masakaki at Yasukuni Shrine for its spring festival. Can you comment on that?

Minister:
China and the ROK sent such notifications to Japanese embassies in the respective countries. My understanding is that this act of offering was a private one, which is not something for the government to comment on.

Related Information (Historical Issues)

4. Site of the G8 Summit in Italy

Question:
Some media report that Prime Minister Berlusconi is considering changing the site of the G8 Summit in Italy. Can you confirm this report?

Minister:
I am not aware of the report. I, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, have not received any concrete report on this from our staff.

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