Press Conference by the Press Secretary 10 December 1996

Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the regular Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing. Before I take your questions, I would like to make two announcements.
1. Improved visa issuance procedures for Russian nationals
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: My first announcement concerns the decision of the Government of Japan to implement improved visa issuance procedures for Russian nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to take measures to simplify and expedite the issuance of visas for nationals of the Russian Federation starting 11 December -- that is to say tomorrow -- as part of the five-year deregulation plan. The main features of these new measures are as follows -- all these measures are related to the improvement of the M system, which has been employed since 1992 by the Japanese Embassy in Moscow. This M system was implemented in 1992, to expedite the issuance for certain categories of people. The first point is that the speedy issuance of visas under the M system will be accelerated further. As you may know, currently, people falling under such categories as business, people attending conferences and exchanges between autonomous entities are currently issued visas under the M system and this takes nine days, that is to say, the visa is issued on the ninth working day. As a result of these new measures, the period will be shortened to seven days, that is to say, the visa will be issued on the seventh working day. The second point is the expansion of the coverage of the M system. The M system currently covers the categories I just described to you. Starting tomorrow, a completely new category will be added; which is holders of certificates of eligibility. Certificates of eligibility are issued by the Ministry of Justice to people falling under such categories as investor/business manager, specialists in humanities/international services and cultural activities. So, the M system will cover these categories of people. As a result, the time necessary for issuing the visa will be shortened to the current approximate 20 days to seven days, that is to say, the seventh working day -- that is more accurate. The third point is, we will be issuing two entry visas -- double entry visas -- valid for three months permitting a stay of 15 days for people who are issued visas under the M system. Those are the main features of these new measures. We believe these measures will help promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and contribute to the expansion and development of bilateral ties. As such, we believe that these measures are in keeping with our policy to move forward the relationship with the Russian Federation in a wide range of areas across the board.
2. The implementation of United Nations Resolution 986
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: My second announcement concerns the implementation of United Nations Resolution 986 concerning the Republic of Iraq. On 9 December, U.S. Eastern Time, the Secretary-General of the United Nations submitted a report to the Security Council stating that Resolution 986 is now ready for implementation. As you may recall, this Resolution is a resolution that permits Iraq a limited amount of oil exports so it can purchase humanitarian supplies such as, food and medicine. Japan welcomes that the Resolution has entered the implementation stage. The Government of Japan has always been supportive of the Resolution from a humanitarian perspective. Japan hopes that the Resolution will be implemented in accordance with its objectives and that the plight of the Iraqi people will be ameliorated. At the same time, in order for peace and stability to be truly restored in the Gulf area, and for Iraq to be accepted once again in the international community, the full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions -- I think there are four resolutions -- by Iraq is essential. Japan continues to strongly call on Iraq to abide by these obligations with sincerity. Those are my announcements. I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Issues regarding the issuance of visas for Russian nationals
Q: This is a question regarding the Russian people. I would just like to confirm the term the "double entry visa." Does it suppose that people can enter Japan and then go to their own country again and then again enter Japan?

A: Yes, they can enter twice with the same visa.

Q: And, the whole period is 15 days?

A: Yes, the maximum period of stay in Japan will be 15 days.

Q: The whole period?

A: I believe it is for one stay.

Q: I want to ask questions concerning statistics I suppose you cannot answer just now, but maybe it is possible to inform us later. I wonder how many people come to Japan in a year with this sort of M system visa?

A: You mean from the Russian Federation. I do not have any figures for people coming with M system visas, but I can give you the number of visas issued to Russian nationals. Last year it was 20,779.

Q: And how many of them with M system visas? Is it possible to confirm it later?

A: Yes, I will try to check, it may be difficult, but I will get back to you later. For your information, the figure in 1986, that was in the Soviet Union days, the number of visas issued was only around 10,000. It was only 9,201. It has doubled since then, so that is one of the reasons why we have made this decision to simplify the system.

Q: As regarding 1995, it would be very interesting to note how many of these people came to Japan as travelers? If it is possible to, with tourist visas.

A: I do not have the figure for tourist visas. The figure for people that have come for the short term is 2,965. There is a category of visas called "short-term." It is 2,965, that is for the year 1995. Short-term stay, I should say, and perhaps that includes tourists, but I will have to check and get back to you on that. I am not an expert on visas. I will try my very best.

Q: There are many reports in the Japanese press of the problem of the illegal stay of foreigners staying in Japan, especially of Chinese nationality and Philippine nationality -- people coming here with tourists visas and staying here longer to try to work here in Japan. I wonder if there were cases of this sort with Russians now?

A: As I explained to you, the number of visitors from Russia has increased dramatically in recent years, especially compared to the Soviet Union days. There are, as you rightly pointed out, more cases of Russian nationals staying in Japan illegally or working illegally here in Japan. I do not have the exact figures. However, the reason why we have decided to take these new measures is because we think it is necessary to facilitate the visits of Russian nationals to Japan who come here with legitimate purposes, legitimate objectives.

Q: I've heard that Japanese tourist companies have to act as guarantors as regarding travelers from Russia. So, one cannot come to Japan as travelers without a Japanese company acting as a guarantor vis-a-vis a Russian traveler, is that right?

A: I get the impression that you know more about the Japanese visa system than I do, so I will have to check and get back to you on that.

Q: I just wonder, but, to say from the standpoint of promoting human exchanges and dialect between the two countries, it is not a good feature to make people get a guarantor to come to Japan, it acts like a brake.

A: I do not know how the current system works so I cannot answer that question. I think you understand the purpose, the objectives of our new measures, which is to enhance bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

Q: Let me turn to this visa problem again. This issue has become a rather important issue recently in Moscow. There were reports in the Russian press about problems for applying for visas to Japan. There were reports back in Moscow that people have to wait for a very long time on the streets for the Consulate General of Japan of Moscow. They are supposed to come to the consulate at 6:00 in the morning and have to wait until, I don't know what time, and the next day come again at 6:00 in the morning to pay money. The procedure is very difficult and complicated. Are there plans on your side to somehow implement the system for applying for visas and issuing visas at the Consulate in Moscow?

A: Again, I do not have the facts in front of me needed to respond to your question, except to say that this new measure, which will be introduced starting tomorrow, is designed to facilitate travel of Russian nationals to Japan, and to simplify and expedite the visa issuance process. I do not know if such problems that you mentioned exist, but if they do, these measures will be conducive to alleviating such problems.

Q: Are you satisfied from the Japanese side, is the Foreign Minister satisfied with the situation regarding the issuing of visas for Japanese nationals by the Russian Government?

A: I do not have the facts in front of me, but, I am told that obtaining Russian visas is not easy, we do have problems here at this end. I do not have the details.
Future travel plans for Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan
Q: Is there any plan being broadcast for the Japanese Emperor and Empress to visit Britain in a few years time, possibly in 1998?

A: Currently the travel plans for His Majesty The Emperor for 1998 are being considered, but, no decision for visiting the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been reached.

Q: Why are you considering The Emperor's future trip?

A: I am saying that the overseas visits of The Emperor for the year 1998 are being considered, but no decision has been made regarding The Emperor's travel plans for that year.
Economic cooperation by the Government of Japan to the Solomon Islands
Q: I want to ask you about the Government of Japan's policy on grant aid to the South Pacific. The reason I ask this is because I come from the Solomon Islands which is the third largest receiver of aid from Japan behind Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea. But, in the case of grants in the development form in the funding of certain projects, is it the Japanese policy that it doesn't give grant aid in terms of money?

A: I do not have a paper in front of me regarding our economic cooperation policy vis-a-vis your country. Maybe it would be better for me to arrange a separate briefing for you on this matter rather than for me to talk off the top of my head.
Takeshima Island
Q: On the territorial dispute with South Korea of Takeshima Island, the South Koreans have been building a kind of wharf at the island, and the Government of Japan has already approached the South Koreans on the construction of the wharf. What will the Government of Japan do if South Korea bluntly refuses to stop the work?

A: We have a policy of not responding to hypothetical questions. I think that you have heard yesterday, 9 December, the Director-General of the Asian Affairs Bureau of this ministry conveyed to the Republic of Korea's Embassy here in Tokyo, Japan's well known position regarding Takeshima Island and Japan's position on the construction of a wharf there. I would like to emphasize here that we believe that we must not let this issue adversely affect the overall relationship between the two countries -- between Japan and the Republic of Korea. Japan and the Republic of Korea shares common values, such as the market economy and democracy, and the two countries also share security interests. Japan values our friendly and cooperative ties with the Republic of Korea and it is our strong belief that this issue should not affect the overall relationship.
Issues regarding the Watch List
Q: What is the Government of Japan's position of Unit 731 on the list of 16 war criminals, and there are a lot of activists in Japan and Korea calling for this investigation, is that going to happen? Is there going to be, then, a U.S. study one?

A: Your question is about the Watch List? The question of granting or denying access to the U.S. of an alien is basically a matter relating to the sovereign rights of the United States.

Q: What about the investigations after calling for an investigation of this unit?

A: We are not in a position to comment on that. It is our understanding that the Government of the United States reached the decision in accordance with its relevant domestic laws and regulations.

Q: I wanted to clarify the list again. I have been told that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received the list from the United States Government. I just wanted to clarify, but I do not think it has been made public, but has it been given to anyone? If you could comment on that.

A: The answer to that question is yes. We do have the names of the people on the list, but the Watch List, as you know, is an internal document of the United States Government and we are not in a position to disclose its contents. Thank you very much.

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