Press Conference by the Press Secretary 26 January 1996

Alleged denial of nursery school admission for children of United States servicemen
Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before I take your questions, I would like to answer a question which I was not able to answer fully last week -- a question asked by Mr. Willis Witter of the Washington Times about a newspaper report suggesting that some children of United States servicemen stationed in Iwakuni were denied entry into the nursery schools there. We asked the City of Iwakuni their views on this news report, and this is what they told us: "Nursery schools are children's welfare facilities established and operated in accordance with the Children's Welfare Law. Such being the case, priority is given to families that for some reason do not have anybody to take care of their children in the daytime, such as two-income families. The nursery schools in Iwakuni are now full and there are many children on the waiting list. They do not deny entry to children of United States servicemen serving on Iwakuni Base because they are foreign nationals. In taking new entrants, it is their policy to give priority to two-income families and families that find themselves in situations similar to that."
Japan-United States-Republic of Korea joint consultations being held in Hawaii
Q: I would like to ask today about what is happening in Hawaii -- the talks between Japan, the United States and South Korea concerning rice aid to North Korea, among other things. Do you have anything new on that?

A: We do not have a read-out of that meeting yet. The meeting was going on as of this morning and the report has not come in yet from Hawaii.

Q: There was a report on the front page of today's Japan Times quoting Government sources as saying Japan was inclined to do something to help out the North Koreans. Are you able to comment on that?

A: I do not know which article you are referring to. Please tell me.

Q: Here it is -- "Rice Mission to Pyongyang."

A: Some newspapers carried articles about plans by the three ruling parties to send a delegation to Pyongyang to discuss this question of rice assistance. We have been in touch with the three ruling parties on that, but I will have to refrain from making further comments at this stage.

Q: Do you expect anything to come out later in the day? Someone else -- maybe the Minister for Foreign Affairs -- was to give a press conference at some point today, or there was some sort of briefing for the Japanese Press on this matter.

A: This is, according to the newspapers, an initiative by the political parties of Japan, so any announcement would be coming from them and not from the Government.

Q: I am just asking now for planning purposes. With the weekend about to start, should I be expecting something to happen this afternoon?

A: I can only speak for the Government. We do not contemplate making any announcements on this matter.

Q: Does the Japanese Government have any information that would tend to confirm or not confirm reports that children and other people in North Korea -- that the situation is so bad that people -- are actually starving?

A: We do not have any information that independently confirms that. We have information from international organizations that suggests there is a food shortage there, but we do not have any factual information beyond that.
Japan observes Palestinian elections
Q: After the Palestinian elections held last week, and the election of president for Palestinian authorities -- could you comment on that and could you tell us if there is a possibility for Japan to invite Chairman Yasser Arafat to Japan?

A: Let me answer the second part of your question first. I am not aware of any plans for the Japanese Government to invite Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian self rule council to come to Japan. On the elections, we sent a very large team of observers to the election -- 77 in all. I understand this is the largest observer mission sent by any country. Of the 77, 59 were members of a Government team, including 38 people from the private sector. The two houses of the Diet sent 18 of their members to monitor the elections. Their delegation was headed by Representative Keizo Obuchi of the House of Representatives. I understand that this is the first time ever that the Japanese Diet has dispatched a team of electoral observers -- ever. With regard to the election itself, it is the opinion of our observer team that, all in all, the elections were conducted in an orderly manner, in accordance with the established procedures, although there was some difficulty or confusion. For example, they had very little time to prepare for the elections. There was some confusion arising from that. Also, there was low voter turn-out in Jerusalem, because of the very complicated arrangements there for voting. For your information, our Prime Minister sent a message of congratulations to Chairman Arafat for the successful elections, and also for his election as Ra'ees (head) of the new Executive Authority.
Possible Moscow G-7 Summit
Q: I understand that there is a nuclear summit in Moscow in May?

A: I think they are discussing the possibility of holding the Summit on 19 or 20 April 1996.

Q: Will Prime Minister Hashimoto participate in this summit?

A: Since it will be a summit meeting of G-7 leaders, it is our desire to have our Prime Minister participate in the meeting. Since the exact timing of the Summit has not been finalized yet -- I understand it is being discussed between the Russian Federation and the Chair of the G-7, France -- and also because we do not know what the situation here in Japan -- particularly the situation in the Diet -- will look like in the coming months -- no final decision has been made. But, it is on our diplomatic calendar.
Japanese Peace-keeping mission to Golan Heights
Q: I understand that there is a big Japanese mission to Golan Heights which already left last week. Could you comment on that?

A: We are still in the midst of preparations for that. Although I do not have an exact date, I understand that we will be sending a peace-keeping unit to the Golan Heights in February.

Q: Is it possible to know the exact date?

A: I can check and get back to you. Any other questions? Thank you very much.

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