Press Conference by the Press Secretary 24 May 1996

Position of the Government of Japan on North Korea
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I do not have any announcements this afternoon. I will be delighted to answer any questions that you may have.

Q: Please share with us the Government of Japan's view on the defection of the North Korean air force pilot to South Korea. Do you think it will have any effect on the four-party conference, or the process of normalization talks between North Korea and Japan?

A: As you may recall, at the Japan-United States-Republic of Korea tripartite meeting held on Cheju Island on 13-14 May, the three Governments agreed that Mr. Kim Jong Il is in overall control of the government, the party and the military. Our perception of the situation in North Korea has not changed as a result of this incident. Up until now, we have not seen any unusual movements by the North Korean military. We will have to watch very closely the reaction of North Korea to this incident -- whether they will be seeking the return of the aircraft or whether they will remain silent as they did in 1983. I think that it is a little premature to make any comments on the effect of this incident on South-North relations and other matters.

Q: It has been reported in the Japanese press that the Social Democratic Party leader expressed that he has a reason to believe that North Korea will accept the four-party conference on 10 June. Do you have any information regarding this?

A: No, we do not. We are hopeful. As you know, we support the proposal for the four-party conference, we think it has great significance for peace and stability in this part of the world, and it is our hope that North Korea will accept this proposal and come to the table for dialogue.
Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup
Q: I have a question regarding the World Cup. It seems that Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is examining the co-hosting of the World Cup between South Korea and Japan. What is the Japanese Government's reaction to this? If FIFA allows the co-hosting, will Japan go along with this? There was a statement made by Minister of Education Okuda, just prior to this press conference. Could you also elaborate on that?

A: To answer the last part of your question first, I do not have anything on the statement made by Minister of Education Mikio Okuda. However, I saw a report last night about the question of co-hosting by Japan and the Republic of Korea. I think the report quoted sources in the FIFA Secretariat. But, the report did not indicate that FIFA was considering the possibility of co-hosting. All it did was explain, from a technical standpoint, the implications that a decision for co-hosting would involve. It is my understanding that FIFA has not taken a position on co-hosting.

Q: Tokyo Shimbun this morning reported the Director of the Second Cultural Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the Japanese Foreign Ministry has been collecting information and also advertising on the World Cup for Japan through the Japanese Embassies and Consulates abroad. From the information collected, do you have any estimate on the result for 1 June?

A: No, this is a decision for FIFA Commissioners to make. We will not make any predictions about the outcome of the meeting to take place on 1 June.

Q: Just one more thing -- the Japanese Government's position on the World Cup is still to go for the World Cup in Japan by itself?

A: Yes. And I think that is the position of the Republic of Korea.
Japan's diplomatic activities vis-à-vis the current situation in the Union of Myanmar
Q: Can you give us any idea what measures Japan is taking to use its relatively close or special relationship with Burma, as compared to other western countries, to calm the current political situation there?

A: On 22 May, the day before yesterday, both Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama told the press that they were concerned that the detention of National League for Democracy (NLD) members would run counter to the trend toward democracy in the Union of Myanmar. They said that the Government of Japan is hopeful that efforts would be made in Myanmar towards the realization of democracy through dialogue between the Government and the members of the NLD. On the afternoon of the same day, in Yangon, Japan's Ambassador to Myanmar Yoichi Yamaguchi made a representation to the Foreign Ministry of Myanmar in which he called on the Government of Myanmar to act with moderation, bearing in mind the importance of elections in a democracy. To be more specific, Ambassador Yamaguchi called on the Government of Myanmar to put a stop to the detention of NLD members and to release those already detained. He also asked the Government of Myanmar to stop the harassment of the NLD, and he asked the Government to act with restraint if the NLD gathering is held as scheduled on 26-28 May, on this coming weekend.

Q: There is a lot of talk in the Japanese press about the fact that you haven't really used the economic aid card yet. Is there any concrete thought about using that threat?

A: First of all, let me explain to you what our aid policy vis-à-vis Myanmar is. It is our policy to consider on a case-by-case basis existing projects and projects in the area of basic human needs -- projects which directly benefit the people of Myanmar -- while at the same time, watching very closely the trends in democratization and human rights. It is our position right now to watch developments in Myanmar very carefully.

Q: A related question -- at this moment, Japanese ODA is still continuing vis-à-vis Myanmar?

A: Well, it is a little more complicated than that. Back in 1988, at the time of the military coup there, we suspended official development assistance (ODA), in principle. After Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in July 1995, we reviewed our aid policy vis-à-vis Myanmar and adopted the policy which I described to you a few moments ago.

Q: So, the official aid is, at this moment, still frozen, right?

A: We have given, since the release of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, assistance to Myanmar on the basis of the policy I explained to you. For example, we gave grant aid to the project for the expansion of a nursing school in Myanmar.
Potential effect of the current situation in the Union of Myanmar on its possible participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
Q: Another question -- if the current situation in Myanmar continues, with those detained and not released, and so on, then, would that not affect the invitation of participation to Myanmar by the ASEAN Regional Forum?

A: I cannot speak for all the members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). But, as far as the Government of Japan is concerned, we are concerned by the current situation in Myanmar, and we have made that concern known to the Government of Myanmar. This afternoon, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda will be having a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw of the Union of Myanmar, who happens to be in Tokyo on an unofficial visit. They may be meeting even as I speak, and we will be conveying the position that I just described to you in these talks between the foreign ministers.

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