Press Conference by the Press Secretary 22 September 1995

1. Recent incident in Okinawa and the Japan-United States Security Arrangements
2. Reports of possible consultations for regional security between Japan and the Republic of Korea
3. Possible resumption of normalization talks between Japan and North Korea

1. Recent incident in Okinawa and the Japan-United States Security Arrangements

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I do not have any announcements this afternoon. I would be very glad to answer any questions you may have.

   Q: This case in Okinawa. Now there are consultations among the ruling parties as to whether the Status of Forces Agreement should be reviewed or revised. This incident came at the very moment when Japan and the United States are trying to expand security cooperation, for global security. Could you tell me -- probably your personal observation -- what kind of impact this incident and the national outcry might have on the host-nation support by Japan, in particular, and also on the overall security alliance between the two powers?

   A: I think you have heard already that, with respect to this unfortunate incident in Okinawa, an agreement was reached between the two sides. You may already know, but Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, in his meeting with Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale of the United States of America, said that it is the position of the Japanese Government that we should not rashly discuss the possible revision of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) framework itself, but that, given the seriousness of this incident, we would like to have experts from both sides examine the actual implementation of the criminal jurisdiction procedures under the existing SOFA framework and see whether there is any room for improvement. Ambassador Mondale's response to this proposal was positive, and shortly after this meeting, a meeting of the Japan- United States Joint Committee was held. It was decided that these discussions by experts will take place under the committee framework. With respect to the SOFA, that is where we stand now. As you know, President William Clinton of the United States will be visiting Japan in November. It will be a State Visit which will take place back-to-back with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Osaka. We are preparing for President Clinton's visit, and we have discussed with the United States the possibility of issuing a joint statement reaffirming the importance of the Japan-United States security alliance. So, we will continue to work on that.

   Q: Could you tell me when this newly formed Joint Committee will come up with the positive recommendation?

   A: The issues involved are of a very complicated legal nature, so we can't say exactly when they will come up with a recommendation or some sort of conclusion. All we can say now is that we would like to have the experts work as expeditiously as possible.

   Q: You certainly would agree that this Joint Committee had better come up with a report or conclusion quickly, because this recent incident might lead to skepticism, to put it modestly, among the Japanese public of the military alliance between the United States and Japan itself. Would you comment on this?

   A: Well, I agree with you that it is important for the experts to proceed as expeditiously as possible with their discussions, and I think they will be doing exactly that.

   Q: So, do you, or does the Foreign Ministry, believe that this latest incident can be treated as an unfortunate isolated incident that will not hamper the security alliance between Japan and the United States?

   A: The Japan-United States Security Arrangements are of great importance to both Japan and the United States, and the two sides agree on that. In this post-Cold War world there still remain elements of instability in the world, and the Security Arrangements are essential for Japan's defense. Furthermore, the Japan-United States Security Treaty provides the basis for the broad-ranging bilateral relationship between the two countries. It also serves as a stabilizing factor in this part of the world. I think there is full agreement on these points between Japan and the United States.

2. Reports of possible consultations for regional security between Japan and the Republic of Korea

   Q: May I change the subject? Regarding South Korea -- Director-General Seishiro Eto of the Defense Agency is leaving today for South Korea for an official visit. There have been Japanese reports that Director-General Eto will propose to do something toward establishing a regular consultation for regional security. Could you comment on this?

   A: I think I will have to refer you to the Defense Agency on that matter.

3. Possible resumption of normalization talks between Japan and North Korea

   Q: Related to that, do you have any updated information for us about resumption of normalization talks with North Korea?

   A: We have been in touch for some time with the North Korean side to discuss the arrangements for the resumption of the talks, but it is our policy not to comment on each contact we have had with the North Korean side.

   Q: You said it a little bit differently from what you say regularly. Would it be correct to understand that the resumption has become much closer than maybe it was a month ago or two months ago? I mean, of course with the new timetable, perhaps, you have been proceeding with arrangements of that resumption.

   A: You are a very astute observer, and I will have to be careful with what I say. I can't go beyond what I just said. I cannot comment on each contact we have had with the North Koreans or on the contents of these discussions.

   Q: When you agree to begin resumption of normalization talks, will you make an announcement on this? When there is an official decision to resume the talks -- I mean, not the advance sort of contact issues, but when both sides agree, like you did when Japan and North Korea did in 1992, when having the regular talks -- will you then make an announcement when you reach that stage?

   A: Whenever we have an important diplomatic negotiation, it is a normal practice to make an announcement on these talks.

   Q: Do you think that will happen this year?

   A: I don't have an answer on that. I am not in the business of guesswork.