Press Conference by the Press Secretary 29 October 1996

Visit to Japan by Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the Federal Republic of Germany
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the regular Ministry of Foreign Affairs press briefing. I have one announcement today. I would like to explain the significance of the meeting between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 November 1996. I believe a paper has been distributed to you on this meeting. On the basis of the paper, I would like to quickly draw your attention to the following points. One, we believe that the meeting between the two leaders will strengthen Japan-Europe relations. As you know, an annual Japan-EU Summit Meeting takes place. Very recently, President Jacques Santer of the European Commission visited Japan. Now, Chancellor Kohl is going to visit Japan. In November, President Jacques Chirac of the Republic of France will visit Japan. This presents an excellent opportunity to reconfigure the Japan-Europe relationship. Secondly, this Summit will strengthen the Japan-Germany bilateral relationship. At the upcoming Japan-Germany Summit Meeting, the exchange of views is planned to provide further mobilization of high-level Japan- Germany contacts, including the holding of annual Japan- Germany Summit Meetings, stimulation of exchanges between the youth of the two countries, and developing closer Japan- Germany ties in such ways as activation of the Japan-Germany economic relationship under the stimulus of German industries recently launching Japan initiatives. With the completion of the interim report delivered to the Japan- Germany leaders by the Japan-German Cooperation Council for High-tech and Environmental Technology established in 1993, views are also scheduled to be exchanged on the Council's activities at the Summit. Thirdly, the upcoming meeting will strengthen Japan-Germany cooperation in the international community. The two leaders are expected to talk not only on the bilateral relationship, but also on the international relations which both leaders are interested in. We expect that the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Middle East and other subjects may be covered by the two leaders. This is the announcement that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Japan and the People's Republic of China bilateral relations
Q: There is a meeting today between the two vice foreign ministers for Japan and China. What is the significance of this meeting? And, what is your current assessment of the relationship between the two countries?

A: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jia Xuan of the People's Republic of China is now meeting Deputy Minister Shunji Yanai. They met in the morning, and they are going to meet this afternoon, too. Before I explain the nature of the meeting between Vice Minister Tang Jia Xuan and Deputy Minister Yanai, I would like to quickly explain about the contacts between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China this year. In fact, these two ministers met many times this year. The first meeting was when the two gentlemen participated in the Asian Foreign Minister's Meeting for the preparations of ASEM, which was held last February. At ASEM, these two gentlemen held bilateral talks. At the very end of last March, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen came to Tokyo to hold a talk with Foreign Minister Ikeda. And, when ASEAN and the ARF meeting took place last July in Jakarta, those two gentlemen also met. Lastly, in September, in New York, again those two gentlemen met. In addition to this, Prime Minister Hashimoto met the Chinese leader at the ASEM meeting. So, the top leaders of the two countries have had many chances to meet and talk at those meetings on difficult issues, such as historical perceptions, the Chinese missile tests surrounding Taiwan, the new regime established under the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea, Senkaku Islands, and nuclear tests by the Chinese Government, etc. However, we appreciate very much that the two governments constantly meet and talk on these issues. Vice Minister Tang Jia Xuan is now in Tokyo to conduct the annual consultations at the Deputy Foreign Minister's level. We sincerely hope that the talks today will be very fruitful. We consider the Japan- China relationship to be very important, not only for the Asia-Pacific region, but also for the entire international society. Japan wants to develop bilateral relationships with China on the basis of the Japan-China Joint Communique and other relevant treaties. We have been supporting the efforts for reform and the open-door policy by the Chinese Government. We are determined to follow this path in the future. Next year, Japan and China will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the normalization of the relations between the two countries. Japan, together with China, wants to do its best to develop the bilateral relationship so that both the Japanese and Chinese people can celebrate this anniversary. If we quickly talk about the Japan-China economic relationship, basically, the economic and trade relations have been developing very well. Japan has become the number trade partner for China. For Japan, China has become the number two trade partner. China has been participating in the ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC, ASEM, etc., and has been showing a positive attitude at these fora. We greatly appreciate this. We would like to strengthen cooperation with China in these multilateral fora. It is true that there are several issues between the two countries. But, the two countries share the same view that we should strengthen our bilateral relationship in a comprehensive manner. It is our hope that both countries can deal with the pending issues calmly through dialogue on the basis of mutual understanding.
Upcoming discussions between Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the Federal Republic of Germany and Prime Minister Hashimoto
Q: From your side, is this just a regular visit by Chancellor Kohl just every three years? Or, is there some main purpose for this visit? In the talks between Prime Minister Hashimoto and Chancellor Kohl, is this purely friendly, or are there some problems to solve between the two countries?

A: We understand that since becoming Chancellor, Chancellor Kohl has been to Japan four times already. This will be his fifth visit. After Prime Minister Hashimoto became Prime Minister, the two gentlemen met twice, but they probably did not have sufficient time to get to know each other. So, both leaders will have sufficient time to talk on various subjects this time. This will surely strengthen personal ties between the two countries. I wonder whether you are particularly interested in the problems between the countries. I think the two gentlemen are happy to talk on various subjects in a positive way, rather than trying to solve existing issues. When I talked about youth exchange between the two countries -- we especially understand that Chancellor Kohl is interested in this because, first of all, Chancellor Kohl has been endeavoring to strengthen ties between Asian countries in general, including Japan. In this sense, youth exchange is very important for promoting mutual understanding. Regarding economic matters, especially the initiatives taken by German industries, these are very important, although the government role is rather limited. But, I am sure that Prime Minister Hashimoto and Chancellor Kohl would like to encourage the private sector to strengthen their ties. At a recent press conference I had a chance to talk to your colleagues regarding this visit. At that time I said in general terms that Prime Minister Hashimoto and Chancellor Kohl are interested in Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities, too. They may exchange views on how to establish cooperation in the field of overseas development assistance in third world countries, and so on. They can exchange views on the Republic of Indonesia, China, and so on, which recently, Germany has been trying to develop closer ties with. Therefore, I think that the visit of Chancellor Kohl to Japan should not be regarded just as a friendly visit, but also as a time to talk about important issues.
Status of the visit between Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the Federal Republic of Germany and Prime Minister Hashimoto
Q: What is the name of this visit? Is this an official visit? Is this a minor event? How do the Japanese view this visit?

A: This is not a minor event at all. But, if you talk about a state visit, we have some regulations. Already, Chancellor Kohl has visited Japan twice. Now, we are applying another scheme which we call an official working visit. But, this does not lessen the importance of Chancellor Kohl's visit to Japan. As I told you, Chancellor Kohl and Prime Minister Hashimoto will meet. Chancellor and Mrs. Kohl will go to the Imperial Palace on 1 November 1996. His visit is very well prepared.
Japan-Federal Republic of Germany bilateral relations
Q: Can this current Hashimoto government make decisions or take initiatives during this visit of Chancellor Kohl?

A: As I told you, there are not any difficult issues to be solved. There have been talks between the two governments to come to an agreement on the pensions, etc. But, Chancellor Kohl will not come to Japan directly to negotiate with the Prime Minister. Practically speaking, we do not have delicate issues that have to be solved. The most important thing is that -- Japan's relationship with the United States has traditionally been very strong. We have been developing closer ties to the Asia-Pacific region. Europe is a very important partner for us, and we have been endeavoring to develop ties. But still, unless European leaders on the European continent and Japan try and strengthen the ties, people are inclined to forget about the existence of the other partner. So, in this sense it is very important for us to have Chancellor Kohl visit. Chancellor Kohl is one of the most important leaders in Europe. Incidentally, when President Chirac comes to Japan, the Japanese side intends to propose holding an annual meeting with President Chirac. We also intend to have an annual meeting with Prime Minister John Major of the United Kingdom. All this shows that Japan wants to strengthen ties with Europe. I do not think that the Prime Minister does not have power to propose and strengthen ties with European countries.
Japanese foreign policy
Q: I understand that the Foreign Ministry is in charge of Foreign Policy regarding this Japanese participation --

A: I do not know what you mean, but the continuation of foreign policy is very important. We do not know what coalition government will be established in the future. But, many people say that once the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has gained the biggest seats, the LDP will be the center of the next government. I simply cannot predict if there will be a very big change in the foreign policy.
Bilateral discussions between Japan and the People's Republic of China
Q: Back to the Japan-China working consultation. Can you specify some of the agendas that they will be talking about right now? I am particularly interested in whether Japan is going to renew aid to China which is currently stopped?

A: Until the end of the talks, I am not sure what subjects are specifically being taken up by the two gentlemen. But, they will definitely talk about the bilateral relationship and international relations. My colleague will debrief the meeting sometime in the evening. However, the Japanese side is basically ready to talk on any subject which the Chinese side raises. As far as Japan's aid to China is concerned, the Government of Japan is studying among ourselves what we should do about the grant aid to China this year which has been frozen in connection with the conducting of nuclear tests by China. But, on the basis of the fact that the Chinese Government announced a moratorium on the nuclear tests -- which was incidently welcomed by the Government of Japan -- the Government of Japan is now in the process of studying what we should do regarding this subject.
Itinerary of visit to Japan by Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the Federal Republic of Germany
Q: When Chancellor Kohl arrives on Thursday in Tokyo, he is already the longest reigning Chancellor in Germany, and I guess in Europe altogether. Will the Japanese side plan anything to give congratulations to the Chancellor?

A: I will convey the message to the Prime Minister. In fact, many Japanese newspapers are carrying articles on this fact. I am sure that Prime Minister Hashimoto is aware of this. We will remind him of this fact.

Q: But, on his arrival, there is no plan?

A: When Chancellor Kohl arrives on 31 October at Haneda airport, as far as I understand there will be no formal ceremony. And, as far as the official working visit is concerned, we will not hold any special celebrations at the airport. So, when Prime Minister Hashimoto meets Chancellor Kohl, I suppose that he will congratulate him on this. In any case, I will remind the Prime Minister.
Youth exchange programs between Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany
Q: Does the Japanese Government have any intention to propose anything to Germany regarding the many Japanese students who study in Germany for free because they don't have to pay -- Here in Japan there are only a few German students who are studying at Japanese universities and they must support themselves. So, this has been a problem for many years. Is this going to be a point on the agenda at this meeting?

A: Yes, I think so. As I told you, stimulation of exchanges between the youth of the two countries will be taken up by the two gentlemen. I hope that the two gentlemen can say a little bit more on this subject. But, as far as the Japanese side is concerned, it is also related to our budget. We are now in the process of formulating next year's budget. Therefore, I do not know to what extent the Japanese side can announce in concrete terms any details regarding this. But, on the basis of the talks between the two leaders, I am sure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will do its best to get appropriate funds to put this into practice. This is one of the important issues to be taken up at the meeting. Thank you very much.

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