Press Conference by the Press Secretary 12 April 1996

Introduction to the press conference
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I do not have any announcements today, but will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Japan-Republic of Korea relations and arrangements for the resumption of normalization talks with North Korea
Q: Do you have any comment on the results of the elections in the Republic of Korea yesterday? The follow-up question to that would be, there have been lots of reports in the Japanese press saying that after the elections in the Republic of Korea are over, the process of normalization talks between North Korea and Japan would speed up. Would you like to comment on that?

A: To answer your first question, it is our policy not to comment on the domestic affairs of other countries, so I will not comment directly on the elections held in the Republic of Korea yesterday. I would just like to say that we hope that we will be able to further enhance our ties of friendship and cooperation with the Republic of Korea. We value our ties with the Republic of Korea. We share common values and common interests, and we intend to do our very best to further strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries. With respect to your second question, you said there was a lot of speculation in the Japanese press. And, I agree with you that there is a lot of speculation -- that is what it is. I think you are well aware of Japan's policy regarding normalization talks with North Korea. Would you like me to repeat it?

Q: No. The reason I asked you about the normalization talks is because of a briefing that Press Secretary Hashimoto had last Friday. He said, " when we engage in normalization talks with North Korea, the Japanese Government closely communicates with the Republic of Korea. At same time, we make our positions clear to the North Korean delegation," and so on. He makes his position clear to the North Korean delegation to be sure that these talks would benefit peace in the region. Wouldn't that mean that he is admitting that there is a talk going on between North Korea and Japan?

A: As we have said at numerous occasions in the past, we have been having preliminary contacts with North Korea to discuss arrangements for the resumption of normalization talks. Although we cannot comment on the specifics of these contacts, our position on normalization talks with North Korea is as follows. I will repeat it for the sake of accuracy. We are approaching this matter in the following way. We will be looking at two aspects. One aspect is normalizing the anomalous state of affairs that has existed between Japan and North Korea since the second world war. The other aspect is contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. We will be doing these things while maintaining close contact with the Republic of Korea. I think Press Secretary and Director-General for Press and Public Relations Hiroshi Hashimoto was referring to that.

Q: At the end of last month, a delegation in relation to the Foreign Ministry -- people like Professor Kanagi of Keio University -- went to North Korea and came back. We hear that there is a counter delegation coming to Japan from North Korea. Is the date set for that?

A: With regard to the first part of your question, no government delegation has been to Pyongyang recently. I think you are referring to the delegation of a private think tank -- the Japan Institute of International Studies. That is not a government delegation. With regard to the second part of your question, there is a North Korean delegation in Japan right now, upon invitation from a private group in Japan. Since this is a private visit, sponsored by a private group, we do not have details on it. There was a press report referring to a meeting between this North Korean delegation and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and that they requested further rice assistance. I can tell you that there was a meeting between the delegation and the LDP on 10 April, the day before yesterday, but we are not aware of any request being made for additional rice assistance.
The policy of Japan on not exercising the right of collective self defense
Q: The Summit and the focus on security plans have raised the issue in the general public and among politicians about collective defense. Can you comment on that? Is it appropriate what is going on now in terms of the discussions about it?

A: Exercising the right to collective defense is precluded by the Constitution of Japan. Nobody in the Government is suggesting that there will be a change to this. There has been a lot of talk about what Japan might do in a contingency in the areas near Japan. On this matter, there is a specific paragraph in the new Defense Program Outline, announced in November last year, which says that should a situation arise in the area surrounding Japan which would have an important influence on national peace and security, Japan will take appropriate response in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws and regulations, by properly supporting United Nations activities when needed, and by ensuring the smooth and effective implementation of the Japan-United States Security Arrangements. We think the question of how Japan should respond to a situation like this is an important issue which needs to be looked at and studied very seriously. That is where we stand now.

Q: I know the LDP, for example, is looking at that through their own private study group. Have you heard about that?

A: Yes. I read about that in yesterday's or this morning's newspaper, but I am not aware of the details on that beyond what is in the papers.

Q: Can you be any more specific about the idea that this is an issue of further study by the Government?

A: I cannot be more specific than that.

Q: Nobody has even proposed -- there has been no --?

A: We consider that this is an issue that has to be looked at very seriously. We attach importance to this aspect.

Q: Would it be correct to look at the ACSA, which I understand will be signed soon? Is that related to this idea in any way? Can that be looked at as a first step toward looking at closer ties and cooperation during an emergency as opposed to during peacetime?

A: I cannot say that yes, we will be signing the Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement (ACSA) very soon, because we are still negotiating the Agreement. All I can say right now is that we are in the final stages of the talks, and that we hope there will be a final text as soon as possible. To answer your question, we believe that ACSA is a very important part of the defense cooperation between Japan and the United States.

Q: In that document that you just read to us about contingencies and emergencies near Japan, does that fall outside the definition of collective defense?

A: The same document says that the Constitutional limitations will be respected -- that there will be no change in Japan's policy of not exercising the right of collective self defense. It is clearly stated in the same document.

Q: The question is, if a war or hostile activity broke out very, very close to Japan, as opposed to in the Taiwan Strait, which is a long way off, would the emergency near Japan fall outside of collective defense? Would that be considered under different criteria? I am just trying to understand what this whole debate is about, because frankly, after reading this morning's papers I am very confused.

A: I cannot answer hypothetical questions. The situation you refer to is highly hypothetical. All I can say right now is what I have already said to you.

Q: Is it possible to get copies of that document you just read from -- the security guidelines that were released last fall?

A: You mean the Defense Program Outline?

Q: Yes.

A: I would be very glad to provide you with a copy of the document, and anybody else who would like a copy.
Matters concerning the 2+2 Meeting of the Japan-United States Security Consultative Committee
Q: About the 2+2 -- there is a lot of talk about ACSA and other arrangements. Is it possible that the 2+2 will agree on selecting new projects or new fields of cooperation? By that I mean, for example, theater missile defense, or mine- clearing operations in Cambodia, on a bilateral basis.

A: I cannot tell you what will be discussed in the 2+2 Meeting of the Japan-United States Security Consultative Committee, except to say that they will be looking at the interim report of the Special Action Committee on Facilities and Areas in Okinawa (SACO). I have no knowledge of any other items on the agenda.
Matters relating to preliminary contacts with North Korea
Q: Could you verify something on the preliminary contacts which you mentioned have been going on with North Korea? Have these preliminary contacts changed at all in the past week, given events on the border declaration by North Korea -- from your own perspective?

A: I am precluded from discussing the specific contents or the timing of each contact. I cannot comment on that.

Q: I am not asking for the specifics, but the Government has acknowledged that preliminary contacts have taken place. All I am asking is whether the status of those preliminary contacts changed at all?

A: All I can say is that these contacts have been going on for some time, and that we cannot discuss the specifics of each contact. Thank you very much.

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