Press Conference by the Press Secretary 8 September 1995

Introductory remarks by the Press Secretary
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before I start the official part of the press conference, I would like to say a few words. This is my first press conference. I would like to establish and develop a good working relationship with you, and this relationship should not be limited to this room. My office is always open to you; so, if, for example, after the end of this or any press conference, any one of you would like to come to my office to chat with me on an unofficial, off-the-record basis, you will be most welcome. Having said this, I would now like to begin.
Follow-up Committee Meeting of the Japan-Mexico Commission for the 21st Century
A: The Follow-up Committee Meeting of the Japan-Mexico Commission for the 21st Century will review how the recommendations in the final report presented by the Commission to the Heads of Government of Japan and the United Mexican States in May 1992 have been implemented, analyze the changes of the environment surrounding the two countries since the redaction of this report, and make a report with new recommendations. The report will later be submitted to the Heads of Government of the two countries.
Visit by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama to the Middle East
A: This morning, the Government of Japan announced Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Syrian Arab Republic, the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 12-19 September. I would like to say a few words, in addition to what the Prime Minister's Office announced. I would like to explain to you very briefly the significance of Prime Minister Murayama's visit.

First, the Government of Japan has been endeavoring to contribute both actively and constructively to the peace and stability of the Middle East. Prime Minister Murayama will reconfirm these efforts of the Japanese Government when he meets his counterparts in the Middle East. He will call for unwavering efforts for peace in the region, emphasize Japan's contributions to the peace process, explain Japan's contributions, including its assistance to the Palestinians and its preparation to dispatch Japan Self-Defense Forces to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and stress Japan's active engagement in the multilateral negotiations and in the Middle East/North African Economic Summit in Amman. In addition, Prime Minister Murayama will discuss the situation in the Republic of Iraq and other countries in the region in an effort to assist in the peace and stability of the region. This is the first purpose of the visit.

Second, Japan has been endeavoring to establish a multilayered and multifaceted bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Murayama will reconfirm these efforts of the Japanese Government. In the political field, Prime Minister Murayama will consult with his counterparts on how to intensify or strengthen V.I.P. exchanges and other means for increasing mutual understanding. In the economic field, as one realization of the "peace dividend," Prime Minister Murayama will state that the Japanese Government will continue to extend appropriate economic and technical assistance to the Palestinians and to the countries surrounding Israel. In the cultural field, Prime Minister Murayama will state that the Government of Japan will continuously endeavor to increase youth exchanges and grass- roots level exchanges in order to expand exchanges of personnel. On Tuesday, 12 September, the Directors of the First and Second Middle East Divisions will give you a background briefing, so if you are interested, please come to the briefing session. However, I am ready to answer you, if you have any specific questions on Prime Minister Murayama's visit to the Middle East.

Q: On his visit to the Middle East, is Prime Minister Murayama carrying with him any kind of an aid package which will contribute to the peace and stability of that region?

A: As I told you, the Government of Japan has been contributing to the peace and stability of the Middle East. Prime Minister Murayama will reiterate these efforts of the Government of Japan. This is one thing. The other thing is that the Government of Japan has been extending assistance to the Palestinian people, and the Government of Japan will continuously strengthen our efforts in this field. At the same time, I should say that the Japanese Government has been extending Official Development Assistance (ODA) to several countries which Prime Minister Murayama will visit - - namely Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. I am sure that Prime Minister Murayama will touch upon this subject; he will tell something to his counterparts. Please be patient and await what Prime Minister Murayama will tell his counterparts there.
First visit of a Prime Minister of Japan to the State of Israel and to the Syrian Arab Republic
Q: The Japanese Prime Minister's visit to Israel -- is this for the first time?

A: Yes. This time, Japan's Prime Minister will visit Israel and Syria for the first time.

Q: What developments made the Government of Japan decide on this first visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to Israel?

A: You may recall that last December, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of the State of Israel visited Japan. It was the first time for an Israeli Prime Minister to visit Japan. We are very happy that the visit was a big success, and now the Prime Minister of Japan is going to visit Israel. We would like to strengthen the bilateral relation. Israel occupies such an important role in the Middle East. At the same time, Prime Minister Murayama is going to tell Prime Minister Rabin that the Government of Japan is making further efforts to contribute to the peace and stability of the region. Probably, the Middle East is still a relatively unknown area for the Japanese, and for the people of the Middle East, Japan may be still a relatively unknown area. So, we should step up our mutual understanding, and I am sure that Prime Minister Murayama's visit to the Middle East will contribute to this.
Upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in Hong Kong
Q: I am not sure of the format here. Is this the time to ask you about the Senior Officials' Meeting for the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Hong Kong next week?

A: You can ask whatever you would like to ask. If you are interested in raising questions related to the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) in Hong Kong, please don't hesitate to ask.

Q: Can you tell us about what changes have been achieved in the draft Action Agenda to be taken to the SOM in Hong Kong, particularly in relation to comprehensiveness and non- discrimination?

A: I would like to explain to you the position of the Government of Japan on the principle on comprehensiveness. As Chair of this year's APEC Meeting, Japan wants to maintain the principle of comprehensiveness. At the same time, we would like not to exclude the flexibility in which we can take into consideration some sensitive sectors that the APEC member economies have. The Japanese side, as Chair, wants to coordinate concerning this. We sincerely hope that, at the coming SOM in Hong Kong, we can make further progress on this issue.

Q: And non-discrimination among APEC members?

A: We will also discuss this matter at the SOM, and still, there is scope for us to make a consensus on this. Japan, as Chair, will do its best to try to make a consensus on this.

Q: I have two questions about November's Osaka APEC Meetings. First of all, when will the invitations for the Unofficial Economic Leaders' Meeting be sent?

A: Still, we have not decided when the invitations will be sent to the other members.

Q: Second, I have been told that APEC leaders should provide brief personal history tracts to the Chair nation. Is that true?

A: As far as I am concerned, I do not know. If you like, would you please contact the International Press Division later?
Energy supply issues and Japan's role in ensuring the peace and stability of the Middle East
Q: I wish to quote something from a statement given by one of your officials here at the Foreign Ministry -- that Prime Minister Murayama is going to the Middle East "to hope to ensure a lasting peace in the region, vital to Japan's energy supplies?" That was quoted from your office. Now, I am very worried here. Is Japan really only going to help with peace in the Middle East to ensure their own unilateral oil supplies, or are they also hoping to protect the world's oil supplies?

A: What I would like to tell you is that the two points on which I made myself clear earlier on -- that is, contribution to the peace and stability of the region and strengthening multilayered, multifaceted bilateral relations with countries of the region -- are the most important issues for us. But at the same time, on the oil issue, I would like to say that, for example, Saudi Arabia is very important for us. We rely on the oil resources in that country. Therefore, it is quite natural that we would like to see that the oil is continuously supplied to Japan. But Prime Minister Murayama will not go to the Middle East to buy additional oil. This is not the purpose of his visit.

Q: The point I wanted to find out is: will Japan ever come to a realization that when it goes for peace-keeping in the Middle East, it is for the world, not just for Japan?

A: When we send the Self-Defense Forces personnel to the UNDOF, it is purely to contribute to the peace and stability in that region, not for the sake of securing oil from that area.
Status of the planned visit to Japan by President Jacques Chirac of the French Republic
Q: Today it was reported that France is cancelling President Chirac's trip to Japan due to the Japanese Government's stance on nuclear testing. What is the Government's reaction to this?

A: First of all, although the Japanese Government is aware of that report, we are in the process of clarifying the official position of the Government of the French Republic on this. As you know, last June, Prime Minister Murayama officially extended an invitation to President Chirac to come to Japan as a State Guest some time next year at a mutually appropriate time. This invitation stands. We are going to arrange the actual date of the State Visit, and this is the position of the Government of Japan.

Q: So you are still not clear about the date? Second of all, you don't know whether he is coming or not, officially?

A: The position is that we have extended an invitation, and President Jacques Chirac of the French Republic has accepted it, and we have not yet reached a final decision on when President Chirac is coming. As far as the press report you mentioned -- we are now in the process of clarifying whether the report really reflects the French Government's position or not.
Nuclear testing by the French Republic
Q: I have a series of questions in regard to the first French nuclear test. Let me start with the kindergarten- level question first. Is your objection to the nuclear test, or to the possession of nuclear weapons?

A: The goal of the Government of Japan is to achieve the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons. Until that happens, Japan has been and will be urging the relevant countries to take realistic and practical measures toward that end. In this connection, Japan is against the nuclear test.

Q: You were quoted a few days ago -- and that still remains undenied to my knowledge -- as saying that there would be no gap in your reaction to the Chinese test and to the French test. It is fairly obvious that there is a gap, except for the wording of the Chief Cabinet Secretary's statement, which is almost identical, except for the reference to the ODA in the case of China. But otherwise, don't you realize that there is a gap in the public perception because you have announced certain measures against China, whereas, against France, you find yourself at a loss?

A: There is no difference in our policy vis-à-vis the People's Republic of China and the French Republic, so far as Japan's opposition to the nuclear tests is concerned, but the ODA Charter is applied to developing countries; so it is natural that we can't apply the ODA Charter to France. However, our fundamental policy of opposition to the nuclear tests remains the same. So, whatever country carries out the nuclear test -- we will be strongly opposed to this.

Q: There have been reports that the Government of Japan is intending to send a special envoy to Paris, provided he can get an appointment with the president. Has such an approach been made to the Government of France?

A: The Japanese Government is now in the process of studying dispatching a special envoy to France, and we have been communicating with the French side through our embassy on this. It is quite natural that we have got to wait to see whether the envoy will be accepted by the French or not. For the time being, what I can tell you is that we are considering the possibility of dispatching an envoy to France.

Q: Don't you think this would sort of worsen things in the Japanese perception, because we all know that the French are likely to carry out more tests? The fact that a special envoy goes -- like in the case of Prime Minister Murayama's visit to China, when, very soon after he went to China and requested that they not carry out the test, the test was done, and the Japanese press showed some outrage. Similarly, in this particular case, do you think the same reaction could take place if you go and request President Chirac not to carry out the test, and within a few days there is another test?

A: It is very regrettable when the countries concerned take such actions -- for example, the Chinese Government has already carried out two nuclear tests this year, and the French Government has implemented one and seemingly is going to continue to test. But, we will, in any case, do our best to relay the message of the Government of Japan to the French Government this time, and we hope that they will listen to our policy on this issue.

Q: It has been reported this morning that President Chirac has decided not to accept Prime Minister Murayama's invitation to visit Japan. Has there been any official notification from Paris to this effect?

A: As I already told you, we are clarifying whether the report really reflects the position of the French Government.

Q: Do you have any comment on Minister of Finance Masayoshi Takemura's remarks the day before yesterday regarding the French testing? I have seen press reports quoting a senior Foreign Ministry official expressing irritation. I think you know which remarks I am referring to; he described President Chirac as crazy.

Q: He said that he was crazy and that the tests were the work of the devil.

A: We understand that the remarks are purely the private remarks of Mr. Takemura. But even if this is a private remark, to use the word "crazy" is diplomatically inappropriate.

Q: It was used by the Australian prime minister.

A: We are different from the Australian people.

Q: How about the devil part?

A: We fundamentally think that we shouldn't treat this matter emotionally, and we keep directly telling the French Government that they should stop nuclear tests, without creating emotions.

Q: Just a follow-up -- some political leaders are advocating the boycott of French products. What is Japan's position on that?

A: Japan continues to tell the French directly, bilaterally or multilaterally, that we are against the nuclear test. But, the Government of Japan is not and will not be involved in the anti-nuclear civil movements. So, the boycott activities engaged in by these civil movements -- the Government of Japan has nothing to do with.
Q: Does it mean that the Japanese Government is neutral? Or, encouraging or discouraging this? Is there any position?

A: Simply, there is a demarcation between Government activities and private citizens' movements. As far as our side is concerned, we directly say that it is regrettable and that they should stop the nuclear tests.

Q: So how do you see the political leaders', including very senior political leaders', advocation of the boycott? How do you see that?

A: Is that a hypothetical question, or is it based on some fact?

Q: For example, the leader of the New Frontier Party, Mr. Kaifu, has actually advocated boycotting already. So, how do you see that?

A: Personally, I don't know whether he has said so or not. But, in any case, if a politician says that he is advocating boycott, we treat this as an act by the politician in his private capacity, and the Government of Japan has nothing to do with this.

Q: Two questions on the nuclear testing. One is that France seems to have taken two actions against Japan. One is delaying the return of their Ambassador to Tokyo; another is the postponement of President Chirac's visit. Both of these can be traced back, according to the French, to Mr. Takemura's utterances. To me it seems there is a precedent, with all the utterances on the war issues, on Korea and China, etc. You have clarified that these utterances were made on a personal basis. Has Mr. Takemura been told firmly to refrain from doing all this?

A: If you allow me to express my personal opinion -- now Ambassador to France Matsuura is returning to Paris, and we hope that the French Ambassador to Japan will return to Japan soon. We understand that, for some consultations, he will remain for the time being in Paris. But, it is very good for Ambassador Matsuura to be in Paris, and the French Ambassador to be in Tokyo, so that at the highest level we can communicate with each other. As for the report of the so-called cancellation of President Chirac's visit to Japan next year -- simply, we are clarifying that. We are not sure whether the report really reflects the French Government's position or not.

Q: My question is: has Mr. Takemura been told to refrain from making these so-called personal remarks?

A: What I can say is that Mr. Takemura's remarks are purely personal, and the Government of Japan has nothing to do with it, and I hope that the French Government will understand this.
Relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China
Q: Breaking a moment from France, although this is related to nuclear testing. The triangle of China, Taiwan and Japan has become increasingly strained recently. China and Taiwan are at odds with each other over missile drills, as well as increased rhetoric. The United States and China are still at odds with each other. I would just like to ask for your general assessment of Japan-China relations, of which of course China's nuclear tests are a very big part. How do you view the current situation there?

A: China is one of the most important neighbors for Japan, and the Japanese Government is determined to develop good neighborly relations with China, but we are against the nuclear tests by the Chinese Government; therefore, we have made this position clear to the Chinese Government. At the same time, taking into consideration the spirit of the ODA Charter and other elements, this year we have decided to extend grant aid to a limited number of projects of a humanitarian and emergency aid nature. Apart from that, we have decided not to extend grant aid, so long as China continues its tests. At the same time, we would like to develop further good neighborly bilateral relations with China.

Q: I wonder how Japan sees and deals with, for example, the fact that there have been repeated swipes at Japan's cutting of the aid -- Chinese officials have been making comments, when Chief Cabinet Secretary Koken Nosaka went to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, he met with a much lower official than was originally planned. That seems a deliberate snub at Japan saying: you've cut our aid, so we are not going to let you meet with anyone high up. How is Japan viewing this? How does Japan respond to this, as China seems to be cooling considerably?

A: As I told you, the Japanese Government, and I am sure the Japanese people, would like to strengthen bilateral relations with China. China is so important for us. However, we have got to express our fundamental positions on the nuclear tests to the Chinese people and to the Chinese Government. They must understand what the Japanese position is. We hope, therefore, they will not continue nuclear tests, so that both nations can further develop the relationship in the future.
Support in the Middle East for the possible permanent membership of Japan in the United Nations Security Council
Q: Can you tell me which countries on this tour to the Middle East have given definite approval or support for Japan's application for the United Nations Security Council? Also, will Prime Minister Murayama be visiting in October to meet President Clinton before he actually addresses the United Nations?

A: First of all, I can tell you that many countries in the Middle East basically support Japan's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council in the future, however, it would not be very appropriate for the Japanese side to disclose to the public which countries are supporting our membership and so on. This is a very delicate issue, and at the new session of the United Nations General Assembly, Japan, together with the other countries of the United Nations, will talk about this issue. Therefore, what I should say is that, basically, many countries in the Middle East support the permanent membership of Japan. As for Prime Minister Murayama's meeting with President William Clinton of the United States of America, what has been clear up until now is that, when President Clinton comes to Osaka, and when he visits Japan as a State Guest, both leaders will meet. But apart from that, we are not planning for both gentlemen to meet.
Status of Japanese yen loans for the Islamic Republic of Iran
Q: Do you think Prime Minister Murayama will bring up the subject of the frozen loan of ODA to Iran at that time with President Clinton?

A: When Prime Minister Murayama meets President Clinton, if President Clinton raises the question of Japanese yen loans to the Islamic Republic of Iran, I am sure that Prime Minister Murayama will be ready to talk on the subject.

Q: No idea what the reply will be?

A: What I can say is that the Japanese Government now has that under study.
Nuclear testing by the People's Republic of China and Japan's security policy
Q: One more question -- how do you respond to the Chinese criticism that Japan itself shelters under a nuclear umbrella, and it has no right to protest against somebody else testing weapons to ensure their practical security?

A: First of all, all of us have got to admit that nuclear weapons exist in the world, and the nuclear deterrent still works. At the same time, the Government of Japan has been pursuing the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, but before we can achieve the ultimate goal, we have got to take realistic and practical measures step-by-step. So, in this sense, it is not contradictory for us to be opposed to nuclear testing while we are still under the nuclear umbrella.

Q: Just to take a slightly different tack on your answer -- you say then that Japan-China relations are still, overall, strong?

A: Yes.

Q: If I may, just one more -- your answer to this gentleman's question, regarding the balance between being anti-nuclear testing and being under the nuclear umbrella. Are you acknowledging that Japan is under a nuclear umbrella?

A: Yes. That's clear. We have a Security Treaty with the United States, so we are under the United States' nuclear umbrella. But, of course, if you ask about the Japanese security policy, I have got to explain to you that the Japanese security policy is based on the Japanese Constitution, and involves an exclusively defense-oriented posture. We have the three non-nuclear principles and so on, but in order to make our security policy workable, we have got to rely on the security relationship with the United States, and we are under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.

Q: I know that there has been some argument within the Foreign Ministry as to whether Japan is actually under the United States' nuclear umbrella or not. Has it always been the Foreign Ministry's official position that Japan is under the U.S. nuclear umbrella?

A: Yes. It is a fact that we are under the U.S. nuclear umbrella. No one can deny it. But probably, your argument is related to the fundamental position on the Japanese security policy. Our security policy exists as I explained to you, but in order to make the policy workable, we have had to implement smoothly the security relationship with the United States. That country is a nuclear power, so we are under the nuclear umbrella of the United States.
Ongoing security negotiations on a Special Agreement on Host Nation Support between Japan and the United States of America
Q: Can you confirm yesterday's Kyodo report that Japan is going to pay more for the employees at the U.S. bases?

A: If you are speaking of the Special Agreement on Host Nation Support -- both the Japanese and United States Governments have been endeavoring to sign a new treaty in the near future. That is what we can say.

Q: The Kyodo report said that it is going to be 22 September in New York. Is that true?

A: Probably, it will not be 22 September, but the so-called 2+2 Meeting will take place in New York, and the two sides are targeting to wind up the negotiations before that. But we cannot tell whether that will be the case or not. Both sides are doing their best to do so.

Q: They are still under negotiation?

A: Yes.

Q: Not 100%? A: No. They are negotiating now. So, the Kyodo report is just speculation. Incidentally, I will accompany the Prime Minister next week. So, for the time being, Deputy Press Secretary Ken Shimanouchi will hold this press conference. I think I will meet with you once again on 26 September.

Q: We wish you a successful trip.

A: Thank you very much.

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