Press Conference by Press Sec. 3 February 1995

1. Visit to Hyogo Prefecture by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
2. Expressions of sympathy for the countries afflicted by flooding in northern Europe
3. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Planning Kamuta Latasi of Tuvalu
4. First Global Youth Exchange Program
5. Visit to Japan by Her Highness Crown Princess Diana of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
6. Summit Meeting regarding the Middle East peace process
7. Japan-Arab Republic of Egypt relations
8. Participation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)
9. Private donations by politicians in response to the Great Hanshin Earthquake

1. Visit to Hyogo Prefecture by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono is going to visit Hyogo Prefecture tomorrow morning and come back in the afternoon. He will have a meeting with Governor Toshitami Kaihara of Hyogo Prefecture and others, including the Consul-Generals from six countries which have General Consulates in Kobe.

2. Expressions of sympathy for the countries afflicted by flooding in northern Europe

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: As you know, the torrential rains in northern Europe since the end of January have already resulted in many victims, including 18 deaths and hundreds of thousands of evacuees along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, which flow through the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium, and the damage is getting worse. Taking account of the scale of the disaster, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama has sent telegrams expressing sympathy and at the same time thanks for support during the Great Hanshin Earthquake. The Government of Japan decided to extend humble donations of US$15,000 to the four countries, as tokens of our expression of sympathy.

3. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Planning Kamuta Latasi of Tuvalu

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Planning Kamuta Latasi of Tuvalu, accompanied by a suite, will visit Japan from 6 to 9 February. During his stay in Japan, he will meet with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hakuo Yanagisawa and others to exchange views on such issues as bilateral relations and the future modality of Japan's economic cooperation with Tuvalu. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Latasi to Japan since he assumed his post as prime minister in 1994.

4. First Global Youth Exchange Program

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with Youth for Understanding (YFU) Japan Foundation, will carry out the First Global Youth Exchange Program from 26 February to 11 March. The purpose of this program is to promote global mutual understanding and to foster a broader international view, as well as a sense for international cooperation among the young generation. This year, 46 young people from 30 countries are invited to hold group discussions and attend a symposium with Japanese youth representatives on the theme of global environmental issues. This program just started in 1995 and will continue in the future, with a view to inviting youths from various countries to get together -- not just in bilateral meetings, but also in multilateral gatherings to enhance their knowledge and understanding.

5. Visit to Japan by Her Highness Crown Princess Diana of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: It was already made public by the Imperial Household Agency that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan will invite Her Highness Crown Princess Diana of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 8 February to the Imperial Palace at 16:00 for tea. Detailed information is available from the British Embassy.

   Q: With regard to Princess Diana's visit to Japan, there is speculation that she might also go to Kobe to pay a visit to the victims of the earthquake. Do you know anything about this at all?

   A: Perhaps it is the British Embassy's business to respond to your question, but as far as I am informed, Her Highness Crown Princess Diana will not go to Kobe. She will be in Japan from 6 to 9 February.

6. Summit Meeting regarding the Middle East peace process

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kishichiro Amae: It is feared that the Middle East peace process is stagnating recently, but at present, a Summit Meeting is going on in Cairo among the leaders of the State of Israel, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Palestinians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes this Summit Meeting to give impetus to the Middle East peace process. Especially, denouncing the violence and terrorism is important in order to continue toward a successful peace process in the future. Japan has already committed to grant US$200 million in FY1994 and FY1995, and half of this has already been disbursed.

7. Japan-Arab Republic of Egypt relations

   Q: Recently, the Crown Prince of Japan came back from a Middle East tour; he visited some countries. Actually, it was his second trip to the Middle East. Can you tell us what the main purpose of this visit was, and when he will be able to visit countries like Egypt?

   A: The visits of Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan to the Middle East in 1994 and in 1995 were originally planned as a single tour. But, it was very difficult for them to cover all the countries in a single tour. So, eventually, we were forced to divide their tour into two portions. As you know, with the kind understanding of the Jordanian Government, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess managed to cut their stay short and come back to Japan on the occasion of the emergency of the earthquake in Kobe. With regard to your question -- we are waiting for the visit to Japan of President Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt. It was unfortunate that the Japanese side had to ask the Egyptian Government for the favor of postponing President Mubarak's visit to Japan last year. We would like to receive President Mubarak first in Japan. Also, I don't think there was enough time for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess this time to visit Egypt.

8. Participation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)

   Q: There have been reports that certain ASEAN countries, and New Zealand and Australia, may be included in the KEDO consortium. Firstly, can you confirm if this is correct? Secondly, presumably you are happy that your requirement for an expanded consortium is taking effect, but are you satisfied with the form of contribution of these countries, or are they just symbolic participants in the consortium?

   A: You may recall two important concerns for Japan concerning the establishment of the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO). One is that North Korea is located very close to Japan, and possible nuclear armament by North Korea would have a very big impact on Japan's security, so we decided to undertake a substantial role in the activities of KEDO. At the same time, the second concern is the great importance of maintaining the non-proliferation regime. If one country becomes armed with nuclear weapons, this is itself a proliferation, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime is threatened. So, under the second concern, it is desirable that not only the Republic of Korea, Japan and the United States, but also other members of the international community, including some of the Asian region nations, participate. Still, I cannot make it clear here which country is going to participate in the KEDO project. However, it is true that the United States Government is trying to contact the relevant governments of this region for their possible contributions, and we will support this.

9. Private donations by politicians in response to the Great Hanshin Earthquake

   Q: Are the prime minister or other ministers donating some money for the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake?

   A: My understanding is that the cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, will donate from their own pockets for the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. I don't know whether they have done it already, or not. But, they have committed to do so.