(* 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, April 28, 2009, 10:05 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Outbreak of Swine Influenza
Election of IAEA Director
North Korean Issues

1. Outbreak of Swine Influenza

Minister:
I will report on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' response to the outbreak of the new type of influenza in Mexico, the US, and other countries. Following the WHO announcement on the decision to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert to phase four, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to swiftly take the following measures. Measures that will be taken by the government as a whole will be decided on during the first Ministerial Council at noon. As for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will conduct the following. We will issue a travel warning on infectious disease to recommend the postponement of any unnecessary and non-urgent trips to Mexico. I believe we are in the process of posting this information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and other places. Additionally, for Japanese nationals residing in Mexico, we will issue a notice asking them to consider early evacuation if possible, as there is a possibility of restrictions being imposed on leaving the country in the future as well as the possibility of not being able to receive adequate medical care locally. Regarding visas, in order to strengthen health check measures, we plan to tighten examinations for visas for applicants entering Japan from Mexico in the future. Regarding the US and other countries that are experiencing outbreaks, we will keep an eye on the infection situation and alert travelers and Japanese nationals residing in those countries. Today at 8:00 a.m., we established emergency headquarters, which I will direct, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first meeting, which I attended, was just held. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cooperate with the international society and relevant ministries and agencies and continue to gather information as well as consider further measures as needed.

Question:
Regarding the travel warning, of the four levels, which level does it fall under?

Minister:
It falls under the third level.

Question:
Regarding the travel warning, is there no special change regarding travel information? Does this mean that aside from the travel information recommending the postponement of trips, danger information regarding infection was issued?

Minister:
The information issued recommends the postponement of any unnecessary and non-urgent trips. The details will be explained by our staff later.

Question:
Were the deaths in Mexico the reason for differentiating Mexico and other countries that experienced outbreaks?

Minister:
It was determined that Mexico is at the highest risk of infection as there have been many deaths there.

Question:
Has there been any information on whether there are Japanese nationals among the affected, such as Japanese nationals living overseas?

Minister:
I have not received any such reports at the present.

Question:
Regarding the tightening of visa examinations from Mexico, I believe that Mexico has visa exemption arrangements with Japan. Does this mean that a new visa regulation will be imposed?

Minister:
It means a tightening on visa examinations, which will include a temporary suspension on visa exemption. In other words, the examination will be tightened, from the viewpoint of strengthening health check measures.

Question:
Does this mean that those who qualify for visa exemption will need visas to enter the country from now on?

Minister:
That will be the case for Mexico. This is strictly for health check measures, and not a measure to stop the issuance of visas. In view of the level of alert being raised to phase four, visa exemption for Mexican nationals will be temporarily suspended. Measures for tightening visa examinations will include requiring the submission of a health assessment questionnaire and a medical certificate issued by a local medical institution in addition to the regular visa application.

Question:
Does this mean that those who have fevers or have symptoms that suggest swine influenza will not be allowed in the country?

Minister:
The details will be explained later by our staff.

Question:
This visa measure will continue for the time being?

Minister:
Yes. We must see how the situation changes. I hope that the damage being done by the influenza does not spread.

Question:
According to the government's action plan, there are guidelines such as those to request self-restraint for flights on the part of airline companies or those requesting businesses that have expatriate staff or staff on overseas business trips to call them back to Japan swiftly, as coordinated actions to be taken by relevant ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Will these sort of measures be taken this time?

Minister:
I believe that the policy we will take will be decided on at today's Ministerial Council meeting.

2. Election of IAEA Director

Question:
Regarding the election of the Director General for the IAEA, Ambassador Yukiya Amano has been nominated again as a candidate. What actions does the Japanese Government plan to take?

Minister:
At the previous election, Ambassador Amano was not elected by one vote. We have been calling on other countries to express the position that he is the best person for the post of Director General. This position hasn't changed and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government will continue to work together toward his election.

3. North Korean Issues

Question:
North Korea has announced that it has begun reprocessing nuclear fuel rods. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
As we have continuously stated, the launch of a missile by North Korea was in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718, and a very strongly worded Presidential Statement was issued. In the Statement, the urgent resumption of the Six-Party Talks is clearly stated. We should continue with the further denuclearization of North Korea through the framework of the Six-Party Talks. Additionally, from Japan's viewpoint, the abduction and missile issues are the issues that are included in the agenda of the Six-Party Talks, so we will continue to make active efforts towards North Korea in cooperation with the other countries, starting with China, the host country, in order to resume the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible.

Question:
North Korea has announced that it will withdraw from the Six-Party Talks and in addition to this has announced that it has begun reprocessing nuclear fuel rods. These actions go directly against the Presidential Statement. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
I believe that North Korea is acting or speaking from North Korea's point of view. From Japan's position, our policy to work through the framework of the Six-Party Talks has not changed, so we must make every effort to resume the Talks.

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