Press Conference by the Press Secretary 15 March 1996

Introduction of the Press Conference
Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to make this afternoon, but I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Issues regarding United Nations Security Council membership reform
Q: Prime Minister Hashimoto has told the Brazilian President that, in addition to Japan and Germany, there should be others from Asia, Africa and Latin America joining an expanded U.N. Security Council as permanent members. How many do you think should be from Asia, in addition to China and Japan?

A: I will tell you exactly what he told President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of the Federative Republic of Brazil. They discussed United Nations matters. With regard to United Nations reform, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto first said that United Nations reform should be pursued in a balanced matter -- achieving balance among the three pillars, which are fiscal reform, restructuring of the Security Council, and the economic and social aspect. With regard to the restructuring of the Security Council, he said that a limited number of countries which are capable of and willing to discharge global responsibilities should be added to the Security Council. He also said that, in addition to Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany, he was prepared to consider a proposal to add developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America as permanent members of the Security Council. He did not go into more specifics than that. But, in the first part of the statement, he said it should be a limited number of countries.

Q: Does he mention any countries?

A: No, he did not mention any countries by name. He just mentioned the three regions.
Issues regarding United Nations fiscal reform
Q: Can you comment on a recent Japan Times report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' U.N. reform plan said Japan will pay more to the United Nations if it is granted a Security Council permanent membership?

A: I do not think that is an accurate quote. Was this an article about the fiscal reform aspect of the United Nations?

Q: Yes. Maybe last week.

A: Our basic thinking on financial reform of the United Nations is as follows. The question of financial reform has two aspects. One is the cash flow problem. The other is systemic problems, such as reviewing the scale of assessments. We believe that the two should be dealt with separately. We also believe that a linkage should be established between the responsibilities that a United Nations member discharges and its financial burden. Currently, the scale of assessments of the United Nations is based on the concept of the capability to pay. We believe that, in addition to this, we should add the concept of responsibility to pay. Perhaps the article you mentioned referred to this proposal which we made in the United Nations recently.
Issues involving the bid by Japan for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council
Q: Is Japan going to pay its financial portion for the United Nations this year, as we understand?

A: We always pay. What was your question?

Q: I understand that Japan is going to pay its financial portion for this year, and is going to pay for helping the United Nations -- to be a suitable candidate for the next term.

A: You mean our bid for the non-permanent seat?

Q: Yes.

A: Yes, we are making a bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

Q: This year?

A: Yes, this year. The Republic of India is also seeking a non-permanent seat for Asia. We are competing for the same seat.
Matters regarding the implementation of the declaration adopted at the Peacemakers' Summit held in the Arab Republic of Egypt
Q: Foreign Minister Ikeda was speaking at the Peacemakers' Summit in Egypt last week. What kinds of measures is Japan willing to make to fight against terrorism -- especially in the Middle East? President Clinton mentioned and Japan mentioned -- they talked in this way, for example, that tourism is not only in the Middle East, but all over the world. So, what kind of measures do the Japanese believe in to fight against terrorism?

A: I think it is a little premature to tell you the specifics of what we have in mind. As you know, it was agreed that a working group will be set up to consider measures to implement the declaration adopted at the recent summit, and that this working group should come up with a recommendation within 30 days. I am sure we will be taking part, actively, in this working group.

Q: You mean Japan is taking part in this?

A: Yes, all the countries that were present at the Summit are invited to participate. I believe that Japan will be participating.

Q: Could you give me more elaboration on what kind of measures Japan is going to propose at this working group?

A: The agreement to set up this working group was reached only two days ago. Perhaps it is a little premature to talk about what position Japan will be taking in this group.
Matters discussed at the Peacemakers' Summit held in the Arab Republic of Egypt
Q: Do you think this conference was a successful one, and is it enough to fight for this?

A: We think it was a very good meeting. As you know, all the participants agreed to condemn terrorism. They also agreed on the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism. Furthermore, they agreed that the peace process should be carried forward. I think you are aware of the position that Japan took at the Summit. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda said that terrorism should be dealt with firmly. He said that there should be no retrogression in the peace process. He also emphasized the importance of improving the economic and social environment in order to continue and promote the peace process. From this perspective, he announced that Japan will be making an additional contribution of US$10 million to the Palestinians, mainly for the purpose of job creation. This contribution, by the way, is above and over existing commitments that Japan has made with regard to assistance for the Palestinians. We think that the Summit sent out a very strong message, calling for the need to eradicate terrorism, and also to continue and implement the peace process. The setting up of the working group that we have been discussing is a very concrete, tangible outcome of this summit. We think that the timing of the Summit was excellent. It was held only ten days after the last bombing. We think that the presence of so many top leaders at the Summit gave added weight to the message that was issued at the Summit. We think that this summit has sent out a very strong message of support to the parties of the peace process.
The position of Japan regarding challenges to the Middle East peace process
Q: Prime Minister Peres of Israel accused Iran of supporting radical groups, and supporting international terrorists. What is Japan's position in this regard? And, I have been hearing from Japanese officials that Japan doesn't have any difficulties regarding Iran importing terrorism. Could you please comment on that, please?

A: The position of Japan is as follows. We are, of course, aware of the views of the United States Government on this matter -- that the Islamic Republic of Iran is supporting Hamas and other terrorist organizations. The international community is concerned about Iran's opposition to the Middle East peace process, its alleged support of terrorist activities, and its plans for the development of weapons of mass destruction. Japan shares these concerns. We believe Iran needs to dispel these concerns. We have been calling on the Government of Iran to do that.
The future visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China
Q: I understand there is a report that the Foreign Minister of China is going to visit Japan at the end of this month. Would you confirm that, and what kind of issues will they discuss, and is he going to meet with Prime Minister Hashimoto?

A: There is agreement between the two governments that Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China should visit Japan in the first half of this year. We are discussing his schedule right now, with the end of March/early April in mind. We do not have an agenda for the meeting yet. But, as is the case with most meetings between the foreign ministers of the two countries, we will be discussing bilateral issues and international issues of common interest to both sides.

Q: Including the Taiwan issue?

A: What they will discuss is up to the two ministers to decide, but I would not be surprised if that is discussed. Thank you very much.

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