Press Conference by the Press Secretary 26 March 1996

Formal invitation to visit Japan issued to President William Clinton and Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton of the United States of America
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This morning, the Japanese Government formally decided to invite President William Clinton of the United States of America and Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton to visit Japan as State Guests, from 16-18 April.
Signing of the Protocol of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Yesterday, on 25 March, the Republic of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed the Protocol of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. Japan welcomes it, as it will substantially strengthen nuclear non-proliferation in the South Pacific region.
G-7 Jobs Conference to be held in Lille, France
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: As a follow up to the Halifax Summit, the G-7 Jobs Conference will be held in Lille, France between 1-2 April. Japan is of the view that all the G-7 countries have, more or less, a big problem with unemployment, and that they should share their feelings of suffering on this important problem, and find some prescriptions on how to overcome this difficulty. As far as Japan's position on this upcoming conference is concerned, we think that it is necessary for Japan to upturn the economy in order to increase job opportunities. The Japanese Government has so far undertaken monetary and fiscal policies. On top of this, the Government continues to take appropriate deregulation measures, and to take appropriate measures on revitalization of small- and medium- scale industry. Those two measures will contribute further to job creation in the long term. In the meantime, it is necessary for Japan to take appropriate measures for young and aged workers. The Japanese Government is of the view that it can contribute to the debate at the upcoming G-7 Jobs Conference, especially on the revitalization of small- and medium-scale industry.
Perspectives of Japan on recent democratic elections in Taiwan
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: The elections in Taiwan were over on 23 March. It is deeply significant that, for the first time, a leader has been elected in Taiwan through the process of democratic elections. Japan strongly expects and hopes that the results of these elections in Taiwan will provide an opportunity for the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to overcome the current difficult situation, and that it will show the way toward a peaceful solution to the issues involving Taiwan. FFrom the perspective of seeking peace and stability throughout East Asia, in which Japan is located, Japan strongly hopes that the issues involving Taiwan will be settled peacefully. Currently, the relations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are in a difficult situation, and Japan believes that in order to bring true peace and stability to the Taiwan Strait, it is of foremost importance that the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait talk to each other. Japan, based on the Japan-China Joint Communiqué of 1972, will continue to develop stable, cooperative relations with the People's Republic of China. At the same time, there is no change in Japan's policy of maintaining non- governmental working-level relations in the Japan-Taiwan relationship.
Japanese position regarding peaceful solutions to issues involving Taiwan
Q: What lessons in terms of security do you draw from the recent flare-up in the Taiwan area? And, will there be any exchange of notes on that between President Clinton and Prime Minister Hashimoto at the Summit Meeting next month?

A: When you say notes, do you mean exchange of papers?

Q: Yes.

A: Japan was very much concerned about the tension over the Taiwan Strait for the past several days. But now, the People's Republic of China has declared an end to the military exercises, and it seems that some Taiwanese leaders have begun to indicate the possibility of reconciling the issue between China and Taiwan. The tension, in this sense, has decreased since 23 March. We sincerely hope that this trend will continue for a long time, so that the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will really show the way toward a peaceful solution to the issues involving Taiwan. You asked what we have learned from the Taiwan situation. As you know, the Japanese Government asked both China and Taiwan for self-restraint. The Japanese Government is glad to see that tension has decreased. It is important to continually ask both China and Taiwan to keep that self- restraint policy. This is what I can say. As for your second question, when President Clinton comes to Japan next month, the two governments intend to issue a joint paper concerning the importance of the Japan-United States alliance in the post-cold war era. We hope that it will give a clear message to the general public, both in Japan and the United States, on the necessity of the alliance.

Q: How was this situation decided? What was the influence of the recent Taiwan situation on the Japanese security system?

A: The situation over there more or less influences the security of Japan. Therefore, the Japanese Government repeatedly told both China and Taiwan that it is not desirable for the peace and stability in East Asia if the tension rises over there. We hope that they have listened to our ardent concerns, and we hope that they will not repeat the same situation in the future. When Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China comes to Japan, I am sure that Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda will have a chance to exchange views with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, not only on this subject, but also on the other issues which both gentlemen are interested in. In any case, Japan and China should develop a good, neighborly relationship for a long time into the future. In this sense, we have to find out how to do that.
Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China
Q: I understand that the Chinese Foreign Minister is going to arrive here next week. Is he going to have a meeting with Prime Minister Hashimoto? And, is he going to discuss the security issue of Asia with Chinese officials?

A: In the afternoon of 31 March, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Ikeda will meet. We would like to arrange a meeting for Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and for the other VIPs of the Japanese Government on 1 April. We are not in a position to announce now which meetings will be arranged for him. On 2 April, we understand that Foreign Minister Qian Qichen will hold a press conference. During the talks between Foreign Ministers Ikeda and Qian Qichen, they will talk about both the bilateral issues and international issues which the two gentlemen are interested in. But, when you say security, what do you mean? Japan's security system? I do not think they will specifically talk about the Japan-United States alliance. If Foreign Minister Qian Qichen wishes to talk about that, I am sure Foreign Minister Ikeda will respond.

Q: Regarding the security issue in Asia.

A: We still do not know specifically what the two leaders want to discuss regarding the international agenda. There is a possibility that they will talk about the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), if they wish to do so.

Q: When you say that you are not in a position to announce the meetings with Japanese officials, do you mean that you are still in the process of negotiating these meetings -- that these meetings are private or not official yet? You can't say positively what's involved, because you are still in the process of scheduling the meetings?

A: Foreign Minister Qian Qichen's?

Q: Yes.

A: Because of the Diet Session, unfortunately, we still do not know what meetings can be arranged for him now. But, of course, the Japanese Government will do its best to make his visit a success, because he is visiting Japan as the official guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Matters concerning the inauguration of President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan
Q: Changing the subject -- is the Japanese Government going to send any government officials to President Lee's inauguration?

A: Of course, this is an hypothetical question. I must remind you that Japan maintains non-governmental relations with Taiwan. According to the press reports, the LDP is seemingly contemplating sending representatives to Taiwan, if the LDP is invited by Taiwan.
Matters related to realignment, consolidation, and downsizing of United States bases in Okinawa
Q: Regarding President Clinton's visit to Japan, is there any progress regarding the reduction of United States forces in Okinawa?

A: With regard to the issue of United States bases in Okinawa, we have to divide the issue into two parts. One is related to the actual implementations of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). It is related to the reduction of noise levels, providing number plates for military vehicles, etc. The other big issue is related to the realignment, consolidation, and downsizing of the bases. As far as the first issue is concerned, both Japan and the United States are doing their utmost to produce something tangible in the very near future. As far as the second issue is concerned, both governments have agreed that they will announce the measures for this by November this year. But, both governments are now doing their best to show a clear direction on how to address these issues at the time of President Clinton's visit to Japan. At this moment, we are not in a position to say anything concrete on this issue.

Q: Some people think that Foreign Minister Ikeda will travel to the United States for this purpose. Have you heard this?

A: I have not heard about this. The fifth meeting of the Special Action Committee on Facilities and Areas in Okinawa (SACO) is just over, and sometime at the beginning of April the next meeting will be held. Of course, a time and place have not been decided on. I have not heard at all that Foreign Minister Ikeda intends to visit the United States for this purpose. Incidentally, I would like to remind you that Secretary of Defense William Perry of the United States intends to visit Japan just before President Clinton comes to Tokyo. So, personally, it seems inconceivable that Foreign Minister Ikeda will visit Washington this time.
Matters concerning the visit to Japan by President Clinton of the United States
Q: Besides Secretary Perry, do you have any idea as to who the other cabinet members are who will accompany the President to Japan?

A: At this moment, we still do not know who will accompany President Clinton. When the G-7 Summit took place in 1993, I remember that Secretary of State Warren Christopher and former Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen of the United States of America came. This time, I do not know who is actually accompanying President Clinton. Thank you very much.

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