Press Conference by the Press Secretary 16 February 1996

Visit to Japan by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before I take your questions, I would like to make a brief announcement concerning the State Visit to Japan by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of the Federative Republic of Brazil. President Cardoso and Mrs. Cardoso, accompanied by a suite, will pay a State Visit to Japan from 12-15 March 1996. During their stay in Japan, President Cardoso and Mrs. Cardoso will make a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. President Cardoso will also have official talks with Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Cardoso, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Situation regarding the Takeshima Island issue
Q: Could you tell me if the Japanese Government's position has changed at all regarding Takeshima Island following the military exercises by South Korea?

A: Late last night, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Sadayuki Hayashi had a phone conversation with Ambassador to Japan Kim Tae Zhee of the Republic of Korea, here in Tokyo. Let me give you in a nutshell what transpired in the conversation. Vice-Minister Hayashi conveyed three points to Ambassador Kim. First, he said that we were aware that the Republic of Korea held military exercises near Takeshima; it appeared that these exercises were held in the territorial waters and air space of Takeshima, and that this was clear from the television coverage. The second point he conveyed was that the Japanese position on Takeshima was consistent. We had believed that, in the meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Ambassador Kim the day before, on 14 February, it was agreed that an escalation of the Takeshima issue was not in the interest of either country. Vice-Minister Hayashi said that the military exercises held on 15 February were not in keeping with the spirit of the meeting between Foreign Minister Ikeda and Ambassador Kim. Thirdly, he reiterated the position of Japan regarding this issue; he said that the position of the Japanese side was as had been stated by Foreign Minister Ikeda -- that both sides needed to make efforts so that differences over Takeshima would not undermine the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries. Ambassador Kim told Vice-Minister Hayashi that he believed that the Japanese side was well aware of the position of the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Kim told Vice-Minister Hayashi that what he had said to Foreign Minister Ikeda still stood. He said that the military exercises were a part of routine exercises. He said that he would report the contents of the conversation to Seoul. That is how the matter stands right now.

Q: OK. I have a general question about this whole dispute, if I could just follow up. Why are these islands important to Japan? They are basically just a bunch of rocks. Is it the economic importance -- in other words, the mineral or the fishing potential -- or is it that you are concerned about setting a precedent which might have an impact on the disputes concerning the Senkaku Islands and the Northern Territories? Why are they important to Japan?

A: The position has been repeatedly stated by the Government of Japan -- in the light of historical facts and under international law, the islands are clearly Japanese territory.

Q: So you are doing this for tradition? I mean, for historical reasons?

A: I think you understand the nature of territorial issues. As I said, for historical and legal reasons, we believe it is Japanese territory. That is the Japanese position.

Q: You seem to be hinting that this is something that is a matter of principle, and this is what I am getting at. It is a matter of principle to take a stand. Is that because, if you don't take a stand here, there may be problems with the other territorial issues?

A: I think that what is Japanese territory is Japanese territory. That is the nature of territorial issues concerning Japan and elsewhere in the world.

Q: I can't pin you down more than that. OK. Thanks.

Q: There were reports that Japan has lodged an official protest with the Republic of Korea concerning the military exercises. Can you confirm? If it is not true, is Japan supposed to lodge some official protest regarding this?

A: I briefed you in detail on the phone conversation which took place between Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi and Ambassador Kim of the Republic of Korea in Tokyo, and I think the Japanese media is referring to this conversation when they say Japan lodged a protest.

Q: So, this is not a protest.

A: They had a phone conversation, the contents of which were as I described to you.

Q: Repeating the question, do you consider it an official protest, or not?

A: I have answered that question. They had a phone conversation, the contents of which were as I have already described to you. We do not call it a protest.

Q: You do not call it a protest. Is it more like conveying Japan's displeasure?

A: I do not want to characterize it. The reason I gave you the contents of the conversation in detail is that I wanted you to understand the nature of the talks that took place last night. I do not want to characterize this conversation using any adjective or noun.
Recent situation involving a Japanese diplomat in the Russian Federation
Q: Let me change the theme of our discussions to a different matter. According to press reports, and according to the words of Foreign Minister Ikeda of Japan, an official of the Japanese Consulate-General in St. Petersburg was apprehended recently for allegedly attempting to smuggle some art treasures from Russia. Can you confirm this information, and have you any remarks on this?

A: Let me give you the information I have here. On 11 February, an official of the Japanese Consulate-General in St. Petersburg, as he was about to leave the Russia Federation for the Republic of Finland in his private car, had a part of his belongings seized by the Russian customs authorities. According to the authorities, there was a possibility that some of his belongings might fall under the category of works of art which require permission to be taken out of Russia. He had four items seized by the authorities. The official of the Consulate-General was told by the customs authorities that it would take about a month to inspect the items, and that, if the Ministry of Culture gave its permission, these items would be returned to him, and that if permission was not granted, that they would be confiscated. Let me tell you what we are doing now. We are seeking factual information, including information on the relevant laws and regulations of Russia, through the Embassy of Japan in Moscow and the Japanese Consulate-General in St. Petersburg.

Q: Can you confirm the name of the official that was apprehended? Mr. Sato, right? What was his first name?

A: Mr. Toshiro Sato.

Q: What was his rank?

A: Consul.

Q: Where he is now? There are reports that he is in Sweden.

A: He is back in St. Petersburg right now. He cancelled his trip to Finland.
Possible decision of the Government of Japan concerning the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Q: Going back to the Takeshima issue once again -- could you give us the legislative schedule concerning this exclusive economic zone, and also the gist of the agreement between Foreign Minister Ikeda and the Korean Ambassador on Wednesday?

A: The gist of the conversation?

Q: The gist of the agreement -- not the phone conversation -- before that, including the agreement.

A: This is not directly linked to the Takeshima issue, but I think you are referring to the newspaper reports about a possible decision by Japan regarding the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We hope we will be able to reach a decision on the Convention on the Law of the Sea next week. Although I cannot give you the specifics of the decision, since we are still working on it, let me describe to you in a few words the nature of this planned decision. It will contain policy guidelines concerning the ratification by Japan of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. Based on these guidelines, when they are adopted, the Government will prepare draft domestic legislation to be submitted to the Diet together with the Convention. Our goal is to do this during the current session of the Diet. The decision itself will not establish any kind of exclusive economic zone, or any other regime; it will just set forth policy guidelines for further work towards the ratification of the Convention.

With regard to the meeting between Foreign Minister Ikeda and Ambassador to Japan Kim Tae Zhee of the Republic of Korea, which took place on 14 February, the day before yesterday, let me give you the gist of what was discussed. Both sides restated the positions of their respective Governments vis-a-vis Takeshima. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the ties between Japan and the Republic of Korea. In this context, Foreign Minister Ikeda referred to the fact that both countries share common values and interests, and he emphasized that differences over Takeshima should not undermine the friendly ties between the two countries. With regard to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Ambassador Kim said that the question of the establishment of an exclusive economic zone would arise, and said that the Republic of Korea hoped that there would be talks between the two sides. In saying so, he referred to the provision in the Convention on the Law of the Sea calling for talks between neighboring countries on the establishment of an exclusive economic zone. He added that this would not mean that the question of territorial rights would be discussed. Foreign Minister Ikeda replied that, regarding the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan hoped to settle the matter through talks on the question of fishing, separating it from the territorial issue. He said that Japan shared the Republic of Korea's views in this regard. That is all that was discussed between the two.
Issues related to the Russian Federation
Q: Turning to Russia, do you have any comment on Russian President Yeltsin seeking re-election in June? What is Japan's position on this?

A: We do not comment on the domestic affairs of other countries, and all I can say is that we would like to further develop good ties between Japan and Russia on the basis of the Tokyo Declaration.

Q: Concerning Russia again, the leaders of several major countries are going to meet in Moscow in April to discuss some nuclear problems. Is Prime Minister Hashimoto supposed to take part in this meeting, and has an official decision on this already been reached?

A: The decision to hold this meeting was made at the G-7 Summit in Halifax, and a meeting of top leaders was envisaged. So, naturally, Prime Minister Hashimoto would like to participate in this very important meeting. We can say that it is on his diplomatic calendar. However, the final decision to go is still subject to such factors as the situation in the Diet. The official decision to go to Moscow has not been made yet.

Q: Can you suppose some problems in the Diet which would prevent the Prime Minister from going to Moscow?

A: No, we do not have anything specific in mind. But when Japanese prime ministers or cabinet ministers make overseas trips, if the Diet is in session, they have to look at the situation in the Diet very carefully, and they have to obtain the consent of the Diet before they can go ahead with the trip.

Q: Is Foreign Minister Ikeda going to visit Moscow before April to prepare for the meeting?

A: Last year, then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrei V. Kozyrev of the Russian Federation was in Japan for the regular meeting of our foreign ministers. Now, it is the Japanese foreign minister's turn to go to Moscow. However, as I said, with regard to Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to Moscow, we still have to look at a number of factors, including the situation in the Japanese Diet. There is nothing specific on his calendar at this moment.

Q: So, am I to understand that there is no definite plan to visit Moscow? So, the visit to Moscow is not on the diplomatic schedule of the Foreign Minister of Japan.

A: No. Thank you very much.

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