Press Conference by the Press Secretary 7 May 1996
- Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
- Alleged visit to Japan by a representative of North Korea
- Position of the Government of Japan regarding North Korean applications for membership in the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2002
- Possibility of Japan sending election observers to the Russian Federation
- Matters relating to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
- Trip to the Republic of Africa and the Republic of Turkey by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
- Matters relating to the normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea
- Possibility of a Japanese arms purchase from the Russian Federation
- Naval ship exchange visits between Japan and the Russian Federation
- Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
- The General Assembly of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Midland, Republic of South Africa
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The UNCTAD itself is still meeting. It will end on 11 May. The other day, on 30 April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda delivered a speech to the UNCTAD. I would just like to provide an evaluation of the UNCTAD so far. The Government of Japan has been endeavoring to formulate a new development strategy, and Foreign Minister Ikeda touched on this. The Japanese delegation in Midland, Republic of South Africa is now making the utmost effort to gain understanding of this strategy from the UNCTAD participants. Secondly, the Government of Japan considers reforming UNCTAD as very important, and the Japanese delegation is endeavoring to include the concept of the Government of Japan -- mainly that reforms must not end with simply the saving of resources, but rather that part of the resources saved should be reinvested in activities such as technical cooperation that will truly benefit developing countries -- in the Conference document. Thirdly, the Japanese side firmly believes that the UNCTAD should give priority to promoting south-south cooperation in trade and investment, and the Japanese delegation is also endeavoring to include this concept -- south-south cooperation -- in the Conference document. Still, we do not know how the Conference document will be prepared at the UNCTAD, but in line with what I have explained to you, the Government of Japan is making the utmost effort at the UNCTAD.
- North Korean membership in the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: At the last press conference, a question was asked about North Korean membership in the Asian Development Bank (ADB). North Korea has not applied for its membership in the Asian Development Bank at present. The North Korean membership was not discussed at the last ADB plenary session, which was just over several days ago. As for the position of the Government of Japan on this, we basically think it necessary to consult with other members of the ADB only after a formal reply by North Korea is made to the ADB. In any case, whether North Korea accepts the four-party conference is one point, and whether Japan will support North Korean membership at the ADB is another point completely.
Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
- The General Assembly of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Midland, Republic of South Africa
- Alleged visit to Japan by a representative of North Korea
Q: It was recently reported that one of North Korea's delegation, Mr. Li Jong Hyoke, who is the vice-chairman of North Korea's Asia-Pacific peace committee, who is now visiting the United States, will come to Japan, and that the Japanese Government has approved his coming to Japan. Is that true, and is there any information as to when and where he will be coming?
A: I commented on this at the last press conference, and the situation has not changed. In any case, even if Mr. Li Jong Hyoke comes, he will not come to Japan by the invitation of the Government of Japan. We do not understand that Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto has decided to accept him as a guest of the three coalition parties.
Q: So, it might be possible that the Prime Minister has accepted that?
A: No. The Social Democratic Party has received information from North Korea, that North Korea wants to bring someone to Japan. But, Prime Minister Hashimoto has not approved of accepting him as a guest of the three coalition parties.
Q: So, he has not?
A: He has not.
- Position of the Government of Japan regarding North Korean applications for membership in the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Q: As regards the membership of North Korea in the ADB, does Japan, in principal, in general terms, basically support the idea of membership, or is it supposed that it is difficult to decide on the issue just now?
A: When North Korea has not applied for membership, it is extremely difficult for us to tell you our position. Instead of directly replying to your question, I would just like to remind you of the history of the applications for membership to the ADB by North Korea. In 1992, North Korea officially applied for membership in the ADB. The ADB itself, at that time, considered the application to be too premature. Since that time, it seems that every now and then, North Korea unofficially contacted someone at the ADB and sounded out the possibility of gaining membership to the ADB. But recently, North Korea has not contacted the ADB on this. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for us to say anything concrete on this question.
Q: So, we can understand that Japan is not opposed to this idea?
A: What I can say is that the Government of Japan is not in a position to say yes when North Korea is not applying for membership in the ADB. For the time being, we do not want to speculate on what the position of the Government of Japan will be when North Korea really decides to apply for membership.
- World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2002
Q: Last week, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea made some remarks about the 2002 soccer World Cup, and said that it might be acceptable for the Republic of Korea and Japan to host the Cup jointly. I understand that Foreign Minister Ikeda made some remarks about this today. Could you tell us what the position of the Government of Japan is on this question?
A: The position of the Government of Japan is that we do not consider that the Republic of Korea has changed its fundamental policy to host the World Cup Soccer Tournament in the Republic of Korea in 2002. And, the Government of Japan has not changed its fundamental policy. We will invite the World Cup Soccer Tournament to Japan in 2002. What Foreign Minister Ikeda told Japanese journalists today is that this issue should be handled by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). Unless the FIFA revises its regulations, the Government of Japan continues to support the Football Association of Japan to invite World Cup soccer to Japan. This is basically what he said to Japanese journalists today.
Q: He was quoted on the Kyodo wire as saying it would be another story if there were any specific move to change the FIFA rules about one country hosting the competition. Does that mean that Japan supports, in principle, the idea of a joint World Cup, and that only the rules are stopping it?
A: I do not think so. What Foreign Minister Ikeda wants to stress is that this matter should be handled by the FIFA, and that the Government of Japan should continue to support the Football Association of Japan, so far as the present rule continues. He did not hint that the Japanese side will support the FIFA's possible change of attitude.
Q: If there was an initiative to change the rules to allow more than one country to be the host, would the Government of Japan take a position on that? Would it support that?
A: I do not think so. No.
- Possibility of Japan sending election observers to the Russian Federation
Q: On the situation in Russia, the presidential elections are supposed to be held in Russia next month. During the last parliamentary elections, the G-7 countries, including Japan, sent a group of observers to the country. Is Japan planning to send observers next month to monitor the presidential elections in Russia?
A: I am not aware that the Government of Japan has received an invitation from the Russian Federation on this. If the Government receives an official invitation, I am sure that it will consider the possibility. But so far, I do not know when and how the Russian Federation will send an invitation to Japan.
Q: I understand that it is up to the Russian side to decide, but would Japan support the idea of sending G-7 country observers to the elections, or does Japan consider it not very -- well, a bottom issue?
A: I am not prepared to answer your question today. I will find out what the position of the Government of Japan is on this and get back to you. In any case, what I would like to stress here is that the Government of Japan sincerely hopes that the presidential elections will take place in a really democratic manner. And, if the Russian Federation invites the G-7 countries to send delegations to observe the election, I am sure the Government of Japan will consider this. But again, in June, the Diet Session may still last, and we do not know how the Parliament of Japan will respond to such a request.
Q: Presently, there were reports that the chief of the Russian security service stated that it would be better to postpone the presidential elections in Russia. Could you comment on this?
A: I understand that President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation has himself rejected that idea. We think the presidential elections should take place as scheduled.
- Matters relating to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
Q: Later this week, I understand there is going to be a working-level meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum, and that this is going to be the first such meeting after the 17 April Japan-U.S. Security Declaration has redefined the Japanese role in the region. What does Japan plan to propose at that meeting?
A: I do not know exactly what the position of the Japanese delegation will be at the Meeting. The main purpose of the ASEAN Regional Form (ARF) is to determine how to increase the transparency of military-related matters. I am sure that if Japan is requested, it will explain to its colleagues about the recent Japan-U.S. Summit. At the same time, I would like to just correct what you said. I do not think that the Japanese side or the United States side has redefined the role of Japan in the Asia-Pacific region this time. We think that the main objectives of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty continue to be the same. But, in the post- Cold War era, it is necessary for the two governments to emphasize to the publics of Japan and the United States the importance of the Alliance between the two countries. We will continue to endeavor to get the understanding of the general public. In this sense it is natural for the Japanese side to explain to its colleagues in the Asian region the essence of the agreement reached between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President William Clinton of the United States of America.
Q: You have just mentioned that how to increase transparency on military-related matters is a very important issue. In this field, would you expect the Government of Japan to make some stronger proposal than it did in the past?
A: If you do not mind, I will consult my colleagues, and at the next press conference we will give you an answer on this. We will also provide an answer to the question on Russian presidential election observers. I simply cannot tell you the position of the Government of Japan on these matters right now.
Q: Thank you.
- Trip to the Republic of Africa and the Republic of Turkey by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
Q: Foreign Minister Ikeda has just finished his trip to some African countries. Can you tell us what the meaning or the main goal was for his trip?
A: For the past 12 years, a Japanese foreign minister had not visited an African country. Foreign Minister Ikeda, making use of the opportunity to participate in the UNCTAD, visited the Republic of South Africa, and met many foreign ministers at the UNCTAD. He considers the dialogue to be very important and very fruitful, especially, as I explained at the outset of this press conference, he made public the fundamental position of the Government of Japan toward the UNCTAD. At the same time, he announced the Japanese foreign policy package toward Africa. On his way back to Japan he also visited the Republic of Turkey. Today, Foreign Minister Ikeda said in his press conference that he was very much pleased with the results of his mission this time, and that he would like to strengthen friendships with those countries in Africa and Turkey.
- Matters relating to the normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea
Q: Foreign Minister Ikeda, while he was in South Africa and also this morning, stressed the importance of the four-way meeting suggested by the Republic of Korea and the United States on stability on the Korean Peninsula. Does this mean that the attitude of North Korea toward this four-way meeting will affect the speed of normalization talks with Japan and North Korea?
A: We have not received any concrete evidence that the North Korean authorities have changed their attitude toward Japan. For example, on the four-party conference, in fact, North Korea did not reply to the United States or to the Republic of Korea with anything concrete. We still have to wait and see what their response will be. Japan is still not in a position to go ahead with normalization talks with North Korea, taking into consideration the moves by North Korean authorities, including the recent violations of the Armistice Agreement. So, we just have to wait. But, as Foreign Minister Ikeda said, we fully support the idea of the four-party conference.
Q: Yesterday, U.S. Asia reported, quoting foreign minister Kim Young Nam of North Korea, that talks between Japan and North Korea are going very well, and that twice there have recently been cross-meetings in Beijing. Is there anything on this you would like to comment on?
A: The fundamental position of the Government of Japan is that if you talk about an informal contact between Japan and North Korea, we do not make a comment on the individual case. However, as I said, the Government of Japan is still not in a position to go ahead with normalization talks with North Korea. We have to just wait and see what will happen, including the four-party conference.
Q: So, does your comment mean that what they reported, that they had a meeting in Beijing in the latter part of April, is not true?
A: As I said, the Government of Japan does not intend to make a comment on this. However, we do not know actually what he has in his mind.
- Possibility of a Japanese arms purchase from the Russian Federation
Q: It has been reported that the Director-General of the Defense Agency of Japan has discussed the possibility of Japan buying weapons -- sophisticated fighters -- from Russia during his visit to Russia.
A: I do not think that Director-General of the Defense Agency Hideo Usui stated that Japan is interested in buying weapons from the Russian Federation.
Q: So, Japan is not going to buy?
A: No. The Japanese side is very happy to upgrade the talks and exchanges of information between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Defense Agency. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not think that the Defense Agency is contemplating buying Russian arms.
Q: So, Japan is not interested?
A: The Defense Agency is interested in exchanging information. That is the main purpose -- to continue to have contact at high levels between the two ministries -- but I do not think that the Government of Japan is now interested in buying Russian weapons.
- Naval ship exchange visits between Japan and the Russian Federation
Q: As regards the reforms in Russia and Russian-Japanese future military cooperation, does Japan have any definite plans concerning the exchange of visits by navy ships between Russia and Japan?
A: Yes. Minister of Defense Army General Pavel Grachev of the Russian Federation formally asked Defense Agency Director-General Usui to send a Japanese Maritime Defense Agency fleet to Vladivostok to participate in the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian fleet which will be on 28 July. But, as you know, we have had Golden Week, and still the Government of Japan has not decided when or how it will respond to this. Defense Agency Director-General Usui responded that he would positively study the possibility, but the position has not changed since that time.
Q: When is the decision supposed to take place?
A: I cannot tell you when, because it is up to the Defense Agency. The Defense Agency has to consult with the relevant ministries and with the Prime Minister, and so on. So, in due course, we hope that the final answer will be given to the Russian Federation. Thank you very much.
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