(* 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, July 14, 2009, 11:25 a.m.
Place: Press Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

The Development of Natural Resources in the East China Sea (The Transport of Materials into Shirakaba gas field by Chinese Vessels)
Domestic Affairs
Legislation for the Act for Special Measures on Cargo Inspection of North Korean Ships
"Secret Agreement on the Introduction of Nuclear Weapons"

1. The Development of Natural Resources in the East China Sea (The Transport of Materials into Shirakaba gas field by Chinese Vessels)

Question:
Chinese vessels have been gathering near the Shirakaba gas field in the East China Sea and have been observed to be taking action on what may be perceived as a resumption of development of the field. Please tell us what the present situation is and what actions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking.

Minister:
We requested an explanation from the Chinese side on July 10. The Chinese side explained that they were conducting work related to maintenance and management and that there was no real change in the current situation at Shirakaba (Chinese name: Chunxiao) oil and gas field. We have conveyed our serious concerns on this matter. We have called upon China not to take any action that would undermine our mutual trust.

Question:
Do these serious concerns mean that there is some kind of action taking place for the resumption of independent development?

Minister:
The explanation we received from the Chinese side was that they were conducting work related to the maintenance and management of the platform there. We have not confirmed the presence of any drilling equipment. However, if there is some equipment included in the materials being transported into the area for the preparation of future development, it would be a serious issue, and we are concerned about that possibility. This is why we conveyed our serious concerns to the Chinese side and called on them not to take any action that would undermine our trust.

Question:
Has it been confirmed that some of the materials are for development preparation?

Minister:
The explanation we received from the Chinese side was that they were conducting work related to the maintenance and management of the platform. There is no way for us to confirm this.

Question:
What is the basis for you to think that there is the possibility of future development?

Minister:
We cannot confirm it by ourselves, so I am just saying there could be a possibility that the materials include some equipment to prepare for future development.

Question:
Isn't there some reason behind your opinion that there is such a possibility?

Minister:
No, it is because we cannot check by ourselves every material the Chinese side transports. We have received the explanation that they are pursuing work related to the maintenance and management of the platform. This is the Chinese explanation. What we are concerned about is that these actions may lead to future drilling. If these actions are of a nature that would lead to future drilling, it would be a serious problem. So if there is some equipment included in the materials being transported into the area which is for the preparation of future development, then this is a huge problem, and this may be a possibility. We cannot confirm this. Either way, we have firmly conveyed our concern on this issue to the Chinese side and have strongly called upon them to not take any action that would undermine our trust.

Question:
Has the Japanese side detected from the above any possibility of equipment for the preparation of future development?

Minister:
I am just talking about if there are such materials or not. We do not know. We have no conclusive evidence. However, of course if there are such materials, it would be a problem.

Question:
Currently you have confirmation that there is the possibility that there are such materials included?

Minister:
No, we do not know. There may be.

3. Legislation for the Act for Special Measures on Cargo Inspection of North Korean Ships

Question:
Legislation for the Act for Special Measures on Cargo Inspection of North Korean ships is presumed to be shelved, since the opposition parties submitted a no-confidence resolution against the Cabinet and the House of Councillors adopted a censure resolution against the Prime Minister. How do you perceive the situation?

Minister:
Japan had been taking the initiative to call upon other nations to adopt UN Security Council Resolution 1874. Cargo inspections are to be carried out based on this resolution. The said legislation will enable Japan to implement the cargo inspection. Therefore, we have been calling for deliberation toward its earliest possible enactment. Besides, Japan has been calling upon other nations for the effective implementation of the resolution, which makes the legislation all the more important. A concluding Q&A session on the legislation will be held today at the Special Committee on Anti-Piracy Measures of the House of Representatives, and there is no change to our stance to do the utmost for the enactment of the legislation.

Question:
Is the Government's position that inspections pursuant to the Act for Special Measures on Cargo Inspection on North Korean ships be carried out as a part of collective security by the UN?

Minister:
Cargo inspections demonstrate the resolute stance of the UN Security Council against the recent actions of North Korea. In order to never again allow those actions to be repeated, the UN is urging North Korea to implement the resolution and calling upon other nations to effectively implement it. Aside from the standpoint of collective security, North Korea's nuclear program undermines the security of the surrounding region as well as the international community as a whole. I would like to ask for your understanding that the legislation was submitted to respond to that concern.

Question:
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura has made a statement to the effect that cargo inspections can be interpreted as being a part of UN collective security. Are you not contradicting that view?

Minister:
(North Korea's) launch of missiles and nuclear tests constitute a grave challenge not only to Northeast Asia but to the entire international community, jeopardizing our peace and security. The most essential goal is to put a stop to these acts and promote North Korea's denuclearization. I believe that the said resolution was adopted in this light. The bill was submitted to make this resolution effective.

4. "Secret Agreement on the Introduction of Nuclear Weapons"

Question:
Regarding the "secret pact on nuclear weapons," yesterday Mr. Taro Kono, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives held a press conference and announced his intentions to call on the Government to change its answer regarding this issue. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
Regarding Chairman Kono's statement -- I am not in a position to state an opinion on the policies of the legislature - either way, as I have been stating over and over, there is no such secret pact. On this point, former Prime Ministers and former Ministers for Foreign Affairs have clearly denied the existence of this secret pact. As for myself, speaking as a member of the Diet rather that the Minister for Foreign Affairs -- as someone who has served as Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, the Committee on Budget, and the Committee on Discipline of the House of Councillors among other positions -- speaking from that position, as a Diet member with such experiences, I am aware of the reports by the newspapers that Chairman Kono spoke directly with Mr. Murata. I wonder if it is appropriate as a matter of procedures to demand a revision of the answers given at the Diet on such a serious issue without conclusive evidence, based only on the personal opinion of Chairman Kono who met with Mr. Murata alone and thought his statement to be highly credible. I am, of course, not in a position to state an opinion on the policies of the legislature. However, from the viewpoint of a person who has served as various chairs in the Diet, this is my personal opinion on the matter.

Question:
You just said "without conclusive evidence" but I believe that there is a common understanding among researchers, media people, and others that the existence of the secret pact has already been made clear by official documents in the US. What do you mean when you say that there is no conclusive evidence?

Minister:
I do not know what was said at Chairman Kono's meeting with Mr. Murata, but I am talking about the meeting when I say conclusive evidence. Either way, there is no change in the Government's view that there is no secret pact on the transportation of nuclear weapons.

Question:
By this you mean Chairman Kono's verification is inadequate, that there is no conclusive evidence?

Minister:
I do not know how he spoke with Mr. Murata. I only know what I learned from the media reports. He had a meeting alone with Mr. Murata and he decided by himself that Mr. Murata's statement was highly credible. It may have been different if he had gone with other people. Speaking as a former chairman, I wonder if it is appropriate, as a matter of procedures, to demand a revision of answers given at the Diet based only on this.

Question:
As a matter of procedures?

Minister:
As a matter of procedures, or rather, because it is such a serious issue, I wonder if it is appropriate, speaking from my experience as chairman, since I have heard that he plans to demand a revision of answers at the Committee of Foreign Affairs.

Question:
If former Vice Minister Murata is summoned to give testimony at the Committee of Foreign Affairs, will actions change depending on whether similar answers are given?

Minister:
That is something for the Diet to decide, so I will refrain from giving my opinion.

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