Press Conference by the Press Secretary 11 October 1996
- Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
- Japan-Russian Federation Relations
- Senkaku Islands
- Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
- State Visit to Japan by President Jacques Chiracand Mrs. Chirac of the Republic of France
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: My first announcement concerns the State Visit to Japan by his Excellency President Jacques Chirac and Mrs. Chirac of the Republic of France. His Excellency Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic and Mrs. Chirac, accompanied by a suite, will pay a State Visit to Japan from 17-22 November 1996. They will stay in Japan as Guests of State. During their stay in Japan, the President and Mrs. Chirac will make a State Call on Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress, will host a State Dinner in honor of the President and Mrs. Chirac. The President will have official talks with Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the Visit of President and Mrs. Chirac, which will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and the French Republic. That is my first announcement.
- Matter regarding a protest group's forced entry into the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: My second announcement concerns the forced entry into the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong by a group of protestors. It is the policy of the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong to deal sincerely with expressions of views brought forth to the Consulate, regardless of the issue, as long as this is done in a rational and peaceful manner. On 9 October at 15:30, a group of protestors, led by some Legislative Council members, came to the Consulate-General of Japan with the stated purpose of delivering a protest note to the Consulate. When a member of the Consulate opened the door, the group forced its way onto the premises of the Consulate and staged a sit-in for about half an hour. It is truly regrettable that such an act was committed. We call on all those concerned to express their views in a rational and peaceful manner.
Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
- State Visit to Japan by President Jacques Chiracand Mrs. Chirac of the Republic of France
- Japan-Russian Federation Relations
Q: Would you comment please on Russian President Boris Yeltsin's recent approval of possibly rejecting all territorial claims against Russia?
A: We have seen media reports about this new document. As you are well aware, it is clearly stated in the Tokyo Declaration of 1993 that the two countries should resolve the Northern Territory issue and conclude a peace treaty, thereby fully normalizing the ties between the two countries. In the Summit Meeting held in Moscow in April, President Yeltsin told the Prime Minister that he would like to move forward Russia's relationship with Japan based on the Tokyo Declaration. It was agreed by the two leaders that the two sides should reactivate the peace treaty negotiation at the level of foreign ministers. In order to do that, the two agreed that after the presidential election, a session of the working group should be held at the vice-ministerial level. In keeping with this agreement between the two top leaders, as you know, on 2 October, a meeting of the peace treaty working group was held. In this meeting, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigorii Borisovich Karasin of the Russian Federation stated Russia's position on this issue. He said that Russia attached importance to the conclusion of the peace treaty, and that both sides should reach a conclusion that is acceptable to both sides. Russia, for its part, would like to continue efforts based on the Tokyo Declaration. Therefore, we do not believe that the adoption of this new document will have any direct impact on the negotiations between the two countries for a solution on the Northern Territories.
- Senkaku Islands
Q: Do you have any comment on the PRC's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Chia Shuen saying that if Japan will not treat the Senkaku Islands issue well, will the two sides' relations be improved -- between Japan and the People's Republic of China?
A: I am not sure which statement you are referring to. Is it just something --?
Q: It was an interview on NHK. It was two days ago.
A: I will have to check; I am not sure. I should not comment directly on what he said. I believe you are well aware of the Japanese position that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of Japanese territory. But, at the same time, we believe this issue must be dealt with calmly, so as not to affect the ties that exist between Japan and Japan's neighbors -- the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Thank you very much.
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