Press Conference by the Press Secretary 23 February 1996

Visit to the United States by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Prime Minister Hashimoto will leave Tokyo for Los Angeles tonight and will meet President Clinton the same day (local time) on the evening of 23 February. Prime Minister Hashimoto will come back to Japan on 25 February. Through the earliest possible establishment of personal relations of trust between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Clinton, it is expected that the greatest success at the time of President Clinton's visit to Japan in April will be attained. From the perspective that it is important to further develop the good relations between Japan and the United States, both our Governments have sought out the possibility of setting up a meeting between our leaders on the earliest possible occasion, and as a result, this meeting in Santa Monica has been arranged. The main purpose of this visit to the United States by Prime Minister Hashimoto is to allow the leaders time to build personal relations of trust. This visit is not intended as an opportunity to discuss detailed issues, such as the issue of the United States military bases in Okinawa or specific economic issues. As for the United States bases issues in Okinawa, work is being enthusiastically undertaken by the Special Action Committee on Facilities and Areas in Okinawa (SACO) on the realignment, consolidation and reduction of those facilities and areas, and we intend to indicate a specific direction at the time of the visit by President Clinton to Japan in April. Furthermore, on trade aspects, Japan intends to calmly seek solutions to specific economic issues through the principles of the Japan-United States Framework Talks and in accordance with international rules.

Q: This statement says this visit is not intended as an opportunity to discuss security issues, etc., such as Okinawa. Why do you have this specific provision here? Do you mean that Prime Minister Hashimoto --

A: First of all, I did not intend to distribute the paper on this subject. It is just an explanation. Probably to mention only the Okinawa bases issue and economic and trade issues is not well balanced. I just wanted to mention those two issues, because the press is naturally interested in them. I did not want to over emphasize the importance of these issues. At the same time, I would like to tell you that when the two leaders meet in Santa Monica, I am sure that they will talk about the bilateral relations as well as the international situations which the two leaders are interested in.

Q: Could you please specify what those international relations might be -- which areas you think would be appropriate?

A: This time, as I said, those leaders want to establish a personal trust. The meeting itself will last about an hour. We have not decided on the detailed agenda for the two leaders. Probably, at first, they will review the bilateral relationship and will go on to talk about the international situations which the two leaders are interested in. In that case, maybe, they will talk something about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. But, it is completely up to them. They may talk about the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO), because this morning the Japanese Government has decided to extend contributions (US$19 million worth) to the KEDO. So, there is a possibility they will talk about this.

Q: Really, it is for getting to know, rather than any kind of formal discussion?

A: This is a formal meeting. I do not think they will just leisurely sit and talk about personal matters. They will talk about bilateral issues as well as the international situations. The point here is that both leaders and both governments want to make the upcoming visit by President Clinton to Japan in April very successful. Before that, I am sure that they would like to review the bilateral issues as well as they would like to exchange their views on the international situations. Through those talks I think personal trust will be established.

Q: Will there be any other parallel talks going on at the same time while the personal meeting is going on?

A: Excuse me?

Q: For example, is it just one-on-one with President Clinton and Prime Minister Hashimoto or will there be other talks going on?

A: There will not be any other official talks. Basically, this is a talk between two leaders.

Q: Who will be accompanying Prime Minister Hashimoto on the Japanese side?

A: At first, as far as the Japanese side is concerned, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuo Watanabe will accompany Prime Minister Hashimoto. Ambassador to the United States of America Kunihiko Saito will join Prime Minister Hashimoto in Santa Monica. Director-General of the First North America Division Masuki Orita of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also go. But, basically this is a very compact delegation.

Q: Is Prime Minister Hashimoto going there for one day or how many days is he going to be there?

A: Because of the time difference between Tokyo and Los Angeles, he will leave here today, but he will arrive in Los Angeles on the same day. After that, Prime Minister Hashimoto will stay a night in Los Angeles. But, as early as the next day, he will leave Los Angeles and come back to Tokyo.

Q: Just one meeting?

A: Just one meeting.

Q: And, this is on nothing in particular at this stage -- this is to know each other?

A: The main purpose is to establish personal trust. Because President Clinton is scheduled to visit Japan officially this April, they will have plenty of time to talk on various matters, including the bilateral relationship and the international situation. In order to make the official visit by President Clinton successful, Prime Minister Hashimoto has decided to go to Los Angeles to meet President Clinton, to establish personal trust. At the same time, he wants to talk on the bilateral issues and the international situation.

Q: There will be some talks?

A: Talks, yes. Definitely talks.

Q: Any exchange of views?

A: Although this is a very informal way of exchanging views, they will not meet just for fun. They will meet to talk seriously on the bilateral issues and the international situation.

Q: It seems that one hour is an extremely short time for the Prime Minister to fly thousands of miles to attend, considering the wide range of issues to be discussed. Is it actually impossible to fit a longer meeting into the schedule?

A: At first, as time is concerned, unfortunately they can spare only an hour or so.

Q: On the American side?

A: Both sides have agreed to spend one hour or so. Both leaders are very busy. Prime Minister Hashimoto will have to attend the Diet Session from early morning on Monday.

Q: But, if he is spending the night, I mean --

A: President Clinton's time is also tight. In this sense, he can spare only one hour or so. You should not underestimate the short meeting, even if it is one hour or so. I am sure that they will cover many aspects.

Q: Will there be interpretation? In other words, actually thirty minutes of meeting?

A: Both leaders are very capable and shrewd, and I am sure that they can have a very fruitful meeting. After the meeting, Prime Minister Hashimoto will go to the press conference in Los Angeles. I am sure you will know the result of the meeting.

Q: Any exciting bilateral, any international topics will be discussed -- off-record or on-record kind of meeting that they are having in California?

A: I will tell you once again that this is a meeting between the two leaders. They are not just meeting for fun. This a serious talk, but this is not official like President Clinton's visit to Japan in April. Definitely, they will cover the bilateral issues and the international situation. When we say that the two leaders want to establish a personal trust, how can they do so just meeting and talking about something irrelevant? Definitely, those two leaders are serious politicians, therefore they will talk seriously about various questions. But, I would like to stress that they do not intend to meet in order to solve specific issues. That is the point.
Q: In continuity of that question I made on international topics, you said that the North Korean thing would come under discussion?

A: Probably. It is completely up to them.

Q: Have there been any substantial meetings between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Clinton in the past, before Prime Minister Hashimoto became Prime Minister?

A: When Prime Minister Hashimoto was the Minister of International Trade and Industry, he had a chance to meet with and talk to President Clinton -- for example, at the time of the G-7 Summit. But, in the capacity as the Prime Minister, he has not yet met President Clinton.

Q: So, we could say that the two men know each other fairly well?

A: I think so and I hope so.

Q: In that case, what is the meaning of a get-acquainted meeting on this occasion?

A: They know each other. What I am saying is to establish personal trust. You cannot just establish personal trust through a meeting occasionally.

Q: I don't quite understand the necessity of the meeting to make President Clinton's visit a success. Wasn't it possible to guarantee the success of Clinton's visit to Japan in just a normal way through normal discussions between your two governments?

A: Both the United States and Japan in the past repeatedly said that the Japan-United States bilateral relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Now, Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto has become the Prime Minister, and it is widely expected that this conviction will be once again reaffirmed. At the same time, both leaders are naturally interested in developing the bilateral relationship in many fields -- not only on the trade issue, but also on the security/political relationship and on the exchange of people, on the bilateral cooperation and the global agenda and so on. Prime Minister Hashimoto, before he became the Prime Minister, stressed that the Japan-United States relationship is the most important factor in Japanese diplomacy. It is very important for Prime Minister Hashimoto to say this directly to President Clinton. This is a very good basis for a successful visit by President Clinton.

Q: Who proposed the meeting?

A: Both sides.

Q: Telepathy? Simultaneous suggestion?

A: Always the relations are reciprocal or two-way.

Q: I just wondered where the initial proposition emanated from?

A: Why are you so interested in which one proposed it?

Q: The question in my mind is what is Clinton doing in Santa Monica? He is not in Washington, D.C.?

A: He is traveling in the United States. This is a Presidential campaign year.

Q: It has been said that it is very unusual for the Prime Minister to make a foreign trip in the middle of a main Parliamentary Session. Is that correct?

A: In the past, the new Prime Minister of Japan very often visited the United States and talked to the American President. Yes, it is unusual that Prime Minister Hashimoto will leave Japanese soil to talk to the American President during the debate on the budget. It emphasizes the importance of the meeting, and not only Prime Minister Hashimoto this time, but also President Clinton really wants to establish personal trust. I am sure that this will become a very big asset for the two countries in the future.
Japanese contribution to the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)
Q: About KEDO. You just said that the Japanese Cabinet this morning approved the US$19 million issue. Is there any chance that this transformation is going to be common, depending on the situation in the United States?

A: I should probably explain this to you in the following way. The United States is basically responsible for the supply of crude oil to North Korea, according to the basic understanding between the United States and North Korea. The KEDO is taking care of this issue. Up until the first light water reactor is constructed, every year about US$50 million worth of crude oil should be supplied to North Korea. However, because of the financial difficulties on the side of the United States, although the United States Congress recently approved the US$19 million contribution for this, implementation of this money will be expected to be done some time in April. In this sense the KEDO is facing a short-term liquidity crisis. The Japanese Government has been approached by the KEDO and the United States. This morning the Japanese Cabinet decided to ask the KEDO to set up a special fund, and the Japanese Government decided to contribute US$19 million for this special fund. It is up to the KEDO as to how they will use this money, but we understand that this money will not be immediately used for delivering crude oil. We have extended this amount of money for the special fund, so the KEDO can utilize it for the purpose of delivery of crude oil to North Korea.

Q: Is it correct to understand that this is a one-time only donation?

A: That is right. This is a one-time donation.

Q: This is not a loan?

A: This is not a loan. No.
Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea
Q: The Yomiuri Shimbun reported today that the Japanese Government decided not to have a summit meeting between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Kim of the Republic of Korea during the Bangkok Summit. Could you explain?

A: What I should say is that Prime Minister Hashimoto wants to fully participate in the upcoming ASEM meeting; however, we still have to get the approval from the Diet to do so. Up until now, I am not in a position to announce which bilateral meetings can be arranged in conjunction with the ASEM Meeting in Bangkok. If you talk about a possible meeting in Bangkok between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea, what I can tell you is that in general it is desirable for the two leaders to meet often and have direct talks; however, as far as this particular meeting is concerned, nothing has been arranged yet.

Q: When is the Diet expected to rule on this question?

A: We hope at the earliest possible time, but we have not yet received the actual approval from the Diet yet.

Q: And, the Diet approval is also required for the California meeting?

A: Yes, we have approval already from the Diet.

Q: Does the Government request such kinds of meetings?

A: We have not yet proposed to have the meeting. We have to take into consideration various factors.
Issues relating to the People's Republic of China and the United States of America
Q: What about the presently worsening relationship between China and the United States. Would Japan offer --

A: Probably, if they have time, they may talk about the relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China. They may exchange views on the situation between China and Taiwan and so on.

Issues involving possible reduction of United States bases in Japan
Q: After the Okinawa incident, I understand that Japan is seeking the reduction of United States bases in Japan. And, after a few months, the Republic of Korea and Japan's dispute regarding Takeshima island appeared. Do you think there is a linkage -- a relation between the two principles?

A: There is absolutely no linkage between the two. Why do you think there is any linkage between the two?

Q: I am just asking.

A: This is a completely separate issue. Incidentally, on the security relationship I would like to once again explain to you that the Japanese Government and the United States are determined to maintain and develop the Japan-United States Security Treaty. And, at the same time, both sides are now endeavoring as to how to lessen the burdens on the Okinawa people who live near the American bases. In this sense, both governments are now seriously tackling how to realign, how to consolidate, and how to reduce the American bases over there. The result will be known sometime this November.
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and East Asian Economic Cooperation (EAEC)
Q: First, about the ASEM Summit. Does Japan have any particular priorities with regards to that Summit, and is Japan planning to propose any initiatives to the other leaders?

A: First of all, this is an historical meeting between Asia and Europe. Both the Asian participants and the European participants are very much enthusiastic about this meeting, and Japan is no exception to this. Secondly, the nature of the Meeting is a little different from the other established meetings like the G-7 Summit. They have a tacit understanding that they can talk on the three broad issues such as how to strengthen the political dialogue between Asia and Europe, and how to strengthen economic cooperations, and how to strengthen the other types of cooperations between the two. The participants are free to touch upon the issues, and the Japanese Government is going to prepare -- Prime Minister Hashimoto is going to talk about the position of the Japanese Government on the three subjects. I am not in a position to tell you exactly what Prime Minister Hashimoto is going to say at the Meeting, but for example, many participants, including Japan, want to strengthen economic ties between the two, especially among the private sectors. So, if the meeting can propose something to realize closer contact between the private sectors, I think it will be very appropriate. The Meeting will issue the so-called Chairman's Statement, and you can find the result from the Chairman's Statement. At the same time, if a sort of follow-up mechanism is established, in the long run they can pursue a good goal for strengthening the three different fields of cooperation.

Q: What kind of follow-up do you mean?

A: We still do not know. We will have to wait. Probably the Chairman's Statement will touch on that issue.

Q: How does Japan feel about the institutionalization of ASEM?

A: For the time being, not a single participant is contemplating to institutionalize the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). It is widely said that probably the United Kingdom would like to host the second ASEM meeting sometime in the future, and if that is done, it will be very good, but it does not necessarily mean that the ASEM itself will be institutionalized. For the time being, I personally understand that the participants do not contemplate a secretariat for the ASEM.

Q: Is it correct that the Asian members of this summit are the same countries of the opposed members of the EAEC?

A: It is a coincidence, but this is not an East Asian Economic Cooperation (EAEC) versus the European Union meeting. The United States, for example, fully understands that. Australia and New Zealand also understand that. Basically, we are for enlarging the membership in the future. In that case, we hope some other countries will participate in the ASEM in the future from the Asia perspective and the region.

Q: Can it nevertheless be said that in some way, this group of countries is starting to function as a group for the purposes of --

A: No. I think it is completely different than the EAEC. For example, if new members are allowed to participate from the Asia-Pacific region, what you say will be wrong.

Q: Enlargement would mean Australia and New Zealand?

A: There is a possibility, yes, that it is not limited to those two countries.

Q: The Japanese position on the EAEC is still under study?

A: That is right. We are under study.

Q: Indefinitely?

A: We do not say indefinitely. We simply say under study.

Q: Does Japan intend to raise the issue of human rights during the Meeting?

A: We understand that none of the participants want to specifically engage in, for example, human rights issues or the other particular issues, but I am sure that they will touch on the subject some way or another.
Regional law enforcement cooperation regarding piracy in the South China Sea
Q: May I change the subject? I have a question about the South China Sea. A report from Manila says today that President Ramos called for regional cooperation in law enforcement of pirate ships in the South China Sea. Could you tell us the general understanding on the part of the Japanese Government on the seriousness of the situation, and has the Philippine Government ever consulted with Japan on possible cooperation?

A: I am sorry, I cannot make an official comment on what President Valdez Ramos of the Republic of the Philippines said, but we understand that very recently the Philippines authorities caught a pirate ship. Very often, this kind of incident takes place in the Malacca Strait. For example, some countries in the ASEM have formed a forum to take some measures to prevent this from happening. If Japan is requested to look into this, I am sure that we will study the possibility, but I do not know whether President Ramos has officially requested the Japanese Government to do something specific. Unless we know the specific proposal, I cannot make a statement.
Routine bilateral political-military dialogues
Q: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced earlier this week that Japan will be holding what is described as the first political-military talks with Australia. I think it is going to be tomorrow. Could you please explain the background for that, and I am also interested to know whether Japan has a similar dialogue with --

A: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been conducting the so-called political-military dialogue with many countries. Personally, I did not know that this type of meeting would take place between Japan and Australia tomorrow. But, we had this same type of dialogue with China last year. We constantly have this type of dialogue with European countries and so on. It is especially important for the Japanese Government to actively participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). In order to complement the ARF, we are happy to strengthen bilateral dialogue.
Issues involving Takeshima territory
Q: Could you say if there has been any progress between Japan and Korea on the territorial dispute?

A: No progress.

Q: No problems?

A: No progress.
Northeast Asian Security Dialogue
Q: Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Nakayama recently proposed in the United States the formation of some kind of Northeast Asian security forum. Does that represent Ministry of Foreign Affairs policy or is there no relationship at all?

A: I do not know personally what Mr. Nakayama said in the United States, but there is a forum where academic people and government representatives participate and conduct free discussion. It is called the Northeast Asian Security Dialogue. Japan, the United States, China, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and those countries at least, participate in this. North Korea has been invited to participate, but up until now, they have not participated in the dialogue.

Q: This is officials and academics?

A: Yes, but officials participate in a private capacity.

Q: So, Nakayama's proposal was not official?

A: Probably, but I am not aware of his proposal. Thank you very much.

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