(* 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 28, 2009, 11:10 a.m.
Place: Briefing Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Exchange of Diplomatic Notes concerning the Entry into Force of the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation
Bilateral Meetings at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

1. Opening Statement on the Exchange of Diplomatic Notes concerning the Entry into Force of the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation

Minister:
Following a cabinet decision today, an Exchange of Diplomatic Notes concerning the Entry into Force of the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation will take place tomorrow, on July 29. The Agreement will enter into force on September 1. It is expected that the entry into force of the Agreement will further vitalize the economies of the two countries and tighten their bilateral economic partnership.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. Bilateral Meetings at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

Question:
During the bilateral meeting between yourself and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Foreign Minister Yang stated that China would continue to place importance on its relationship with Japan even after the general election. Likewise, during your meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, she expressed her hope that Japan's policy on refueling activities would not change. Some view these statements as assuming a transfer of power. Please tell us how you received these remarks by the Chinese and US foreign ministers.

Minister:
I believe that both Chinese Foreign Minister Yang and US Secretary of State Clinton were expressing the views their respective countries have held for some time. Naturally, there are varying ideas on the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the general election, but I am sure that the intention of both foreign ministers was to reaffirm the unwavering relationships between Japan and China, and Japan and the US. Concerning Japan's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean, Secretary of State Clinton stated something as you just described, therefore, in this context, I judge the remarks as an evaluation of Japan's foreign policy, not as assumption of a transfer of power.

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