Press Conference by the Press Secretary 3 December 1996

Introduction to the press conference
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today, I have no announcements for you, but I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Pending visit to Japan by President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea
Q: I believe that at the end of the APEC Meeting in Manila, President Kim and Prime Minister Hashimoto talked about a possible visit by Mr. Kim to Japan. Have the dates been set? Can you confirm that?

A: Regarding the planning of the visit to Japan by President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea, I believe we are now at the final stage, and I hope we will be in the position to announce it to the public in the very near future.

Q: Can you be more specific about the dates? Can you give us more detail?

A: We are in the final process of forming a consensus on this, so I cannot tell you when; but, I hope that we will be able to let you know as soon as we know. So, if we announce something on this, my colleague will let all of you who are present here know.
Japan's official development assistance (ODA)
Q: There has been a report that Japan's projected ODA budget for next year will probably be around the same level as last year -- typically less than one percent growth is forecasted. Can you comment on that?

A: We know that there was a report which said that the Ministry of Finance intends to keep the increase of Japan's official development assistance (ODA) budget within one percent in the next financial year. However, we are now negotiating with the Ministry of Finance on next year's budget, and we have not been informed by the Ministry of Finance that it has taken up that decision. In any case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is going to do its best to get the maximum ceiling on the ODA by the end of the internal negotiations, which are expected to be over sometime this month.

Q: But, there has been a criticism that Japan gives so much, but that its evaluation process is not open to other countries or other third parties, and there has been talk that Japan should probably reconsider the amount of money that it gives to other countries in the form of ODA. Has the Foreign Ministry been considering any sort of reevaluation of its ODA program?

A: It is true that the Government should always improve the quality of its ODA activities. I agree that every now and then, we receive criticism from people concerned about poor quality ODA, but we do not believe that this reflects Japan's overall ODA activities. When we spot a project which is of poor quality, the Government tries to reevaluate the project, and tries to improve its quality; we will continue to do so. This is one point. The other point is that so-called "aid fatigue" is conspicuous in many of the developed countries, but the Government of Japan still believes that ODA plays an important role in contributing to the economic and social development of recipient countries. So, while we should pay due consideration to a criticism about poor quality, the Government of Japan should continue to improve its quality, while at the same time endeavoring to increase its ODA volume within budgetary constraints. But, if you talk about a possible measure from the Japanese side, when we spot a poor quality project in one recipient country, we may tell the recipient country to also try to improve the quality. The Government of Japan and recipient countries, together, are required to jointly endeavor to improve quality. If we notice that a recipient country cannot meet our request for improving quality, of course, we may inform that country that we cannot automatically increase ODA to them. However, this would not mean that the Japanese side has taken a new policy to reduce ODA volume to any particular country because of the need to maintain the quality of our ODA.

Q: Is it correct to assume that the Foreign Ministry does not want to change the amount of money that the Government gives to developing countries?

A: Yes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now negotiating with the Ministry of Finance on next year's budget; it is, of course, more than one percent. We have already been given the maximum ceiling on the ODA budget next year, so within this ceiling, we would like to get the maximum amount of allocation from the Ministry of Finance. That is what we are doing. At the same time, if you talk about the improvement in quality of ODA, yes, we should pay due attention to this. In that case, of course, the Government of Japan should voluntarily initiate some measures. But, at the same time, there are cases where the Government of Japan must ask its partners to jointly improve the quality of ODA in their countries.
Aid to the Republic of Rwanda
Q: There was an article a few days ago about aid to Rwandan refugees. It said there was a survey team sent there to find out what is necessary in that area right now. I would like to know whether there has been any more information about this.

A: My colleague has probably already explained this to you, and we probably do not have any more information for you. He probably explained to you that the Government of Japan does not intend to dispatch Peace-keeping Operations (PKO) personnel according to the PKO Law of Japan to assist the refugees in that area -- in the Republics of Rwanda and Zaire, etc. If you talk about possible financial assistance from Japan, we have not finalized our position yet; but if, in the future, any African country or countries participate in the multilateral forces, Japan intends to study the possibility of extending financial contributions for this purpose.
Visitation polices relating to Yasukuni Shrine
Q: In today's newspaper, there was an article saying that the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the LDP, because the LDP has agreed to ask foreign politicians visiting Japan to go to Yasukuni Shrine when they come to Japan. Do you have any comments on that?

A: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is a ruling party; however, it is a bit difficult for the Government to make a comment on a policy made by the LDP itself, because the LDP is a political party. But, in general terms, you probably understand the Government's position on the visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Our position was announced in 1986, and this position is that the Cabinet Ministers of Japan should independently decide whether they will visit the Yasukuni Shrine or not, while taking into consideration the sentiments of our neighboring nations and other factors in a comprehensive way. But, as for the policy of the Liberal Democratic Party, what I can say is that if any VIP from another country independently decides to visit a war memorial or other facilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not in a position to say yes or no. The VIPs from other countries should decide on their own.

Q: Do you think this will affect Japan-China relations?

A: I do not recall any VIP from another country, for the past several years or so, paying a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. So, it is a bit difficult for us to predict what the reaction of the Chinese people concerned would be.
Efforts by Japan to deepen security dialogue with the People's Republic of China
Q: There has been a report that the Government of Japan plans to upgrade its security dialogue with China to the equivalent of a 2+2. Is there any truth to that?

A: Does this mean organizing a meeting between the People's Republic of China and Japan on the level of foreign ministers and defense ministers on security matters?

Q: Yes.

A: No, I have not heard of this; but several months ago, Administrative Vice-Minister of the Japan Defense Agency Murata visited China. As you know very well, we have appreciated very much that China is actively participating in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) dialogue. Therefore, Japan has, in a sense, already been endeavoring to deepen its dialogue on security matters with China. But, as far as a 2+2 meeting with China is concerned, I have not heard of any idea.

Q: There were reports from Hong Kong, I think, that the Chinese Navy had a joint exercise with the Italian Navy. The Italian Navy was visiting Shanghai, and it was probably a very small-scale friendship visit or something like that. But, does the Government of Japan have any reaction on this?

A: First of all, I have not heard news on this; therefore, I apologize, but I cannot make a comment on this. Apart from that, I do not recall anything concrete on a possible step-up of a dialogue on security with China. However, in general terms, it is good that China has many chances to exchange views with the so-called "Western countries," because I am sure that this kind of dialogue will contribute to the improvement of transparency of Chinese defense policy.
Relocation of Futenma Air Station heliport to a sea-based facility
Q: Yesterday, the SACO Final Report came up, and the two sides agreed on what to do with Futenma Naval Air Station, but what is the next step?

A: For Okinawa in general?

Q: No, Futenma.

A: First of all, we have to make up our minds as to approximately where this new sea-based facility should be established. We hope that we can conclude this as soon as possible, although we do not have a time limit for this. However, yesterday, we already announced that, within the year, we would like to finalize the location of the sea-based facility with a detailed design. During this process, we will consult the Okinawa people on the content and the location of the sea-based facility.

Q: You have mentioned that there are two elements involved: this technical and procedural side -- the selection of a location and design of the facility. There is another factor which seems to be more difficult for the Government to deal with and that is the local reaction. Are you optimistic?

A: We know that the people, especially those who live near Futenma Air Station, have long been requesting the return of the base to Japan. Once Japan and the Government of the United States of America agreed on this, the most important thing turned to building an alternative air station, getting support from the local people of Okinawa. As you rightly pointed out, it is a difficult process, but we have to do it. In order to do so, while the technical aspects of this issue are going to be finalized, we must also, at an appropriate time and place, fully inform the Okinawan people of our intention. Although it is a very difficult process, I believe the Government of Japan will do its best to realize the return of Futenma Air Station. Thank you very much.

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