(* 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, May 12, 2009, 8:53 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin
The Convention on Cluster Munitions
North Korean Issues (Visit to Japan by Mr. Stephen Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea)

1. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin

Question:
Yesterday, Prime Minister Putin arrived in Japan and today there will be a Summit Meeting. What developments do you expect from this meeting?

Minister:
From Japan's perspective, the most important issue between Japan and Russia is the issue of the Northern Territories. However, I believe that the discussion will cover not only this, but economic cooperation as well. Issues such as the signing of the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy will be among the agenda items, as well as economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, but the territorial issue will be central to the discussions.

Question:
I believe that among the general public, expectations for developments are rising given past statements by President Medvedev as well as Japan's responses. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
I believe that there may be a demarcation of roles between President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. Regarding the territorial issue, Prime Minister Aso will hold thorough discussions with President Medvedev at the G8 Summit in July, and we expect to hear the Russian side's opinions. I expect that from Japan's side, Prime Minister Aso will discuss a swift resolution of this issue and the conclusion of a peace treaty with Prime Minister Putin based on this, and listen carefully to Prime Minister Putin's opinions.

Question:
Because this visit is by the Prime Minister, it is expected in particular that pending economic issues will move forward this time. However, reports in the media seem to stress that the territorial issue will be left behind. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
I do not believe that it will be left behind. There are many bilateral issues and in fact, Prime Minister Aso visited Sakhalin recently and there have been developments in economic cooperation measures, so I believe that this issue will not be left behind.

Question:
You say that the territorial issue will not be left behind. Would you please explain again why you think that this issue will not be left behind while advancements have been made in the area of economic cooperation?

Minister:
From Japan's perspective, we have conveyed to our counterparts that negotiations towards the resolution of the territorial issue have not advanced in comparison to the advancements in the area of economic cooperation. Given this, we are making the utmost efforts towards the resolution of this issue. Considering that the conclusion of a peace treaty is the final goal, it is important to conduct economic cooperation and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries and advance the cooperation in the region. Regarding the territorial issue, this has been discussed repeatedly at Summit Meetings, Foreign Ministers' Meetings and other occasions. There is also a historical aspect to this issue, and President Medvedev and Prime Minister Aso will discuss the issue and move forward step by step, and not allow it to be left behind.

2. The Convention on Cluster Munitions

Question:
The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which you yourself signed, is scheduled to be approved by the House of Representatives today. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
This is a Convention which I went to Oslo to sign. I am very happy that Japan will ratify the Convention from a humanitarian perspective so that cluster munitions will be eradicated as soon as possible, in order that there will be no more damage caused by cluster munitions. Moving forward, I believe that it is important for Japan to work strongly on those countries that have not signed or participated in the Convention. Additionally, it is important for the Japanese Government to cooperate fully in the removal of unexploded ordnances, including land mines.

3. North Korean Issues (Visit to Japan by Mr. Stephen Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea)

Question:
Yesterday, Mr. Stephen Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea had meetings with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. Do you feel any sense of impatience from the US side regarding the early resumption of the dialogue, or North Korea's quick return to the Six-Party Talks?

Minister:
I do not believe so. As it is stated in the Presidential Statement, North Korea has been requested to resume the Six-Party Talks and from our side, our position to continue to work on North Korea through the framework of the Six-Party Talks has not changed. Within the framework of the Six-Party Talks, for the US to attempt contact with North Korea is not something to oppose. However, it is important to keep close contact with the other countries concerned, and move forward under the same understanding, and I believe that Mr. Bosworth understands this fully.

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