Press Conference by the Press Secretary 11 June 1996

Introduction to the Press Conference and announcements to the Press
1. The arrest of Japanese Red Army member Kazue Yoshimura Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. "Kazue Yoshimura, a member of the Japanese Red Army was arrested thanks to the cooperation extended by authorities of the Republic of Peru. I would like to take this opportunity to express our great appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Peru. This arrest truly shows how important international cooperation is in the prevention of terrorism, including the finding and arresting of terrorists. I would like to continue with actually promoting this international cooperation vigorously." This is the gist of the remarks made by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda on the arrest of Kazue Yoshimura.
2. Japan-Republic of India relations
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Newly-elected Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda of the Republic of India, sent a letter to Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in which he wished to develop a comprehensive dialogue to develop the bilateral relationship in many fields, and proposed to reopen deputy foreign minister meetings. The India-Pakistan dialogue had ceased in January 1994 when the deputy ministers of the two countries talked about the Kashmir issue. The Government of Japan hopes for the reopening of the dialogue to improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.
3. The situation in the Union of Myanmar
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Thirdly, on matters relating to the Union of Myanmar, on 6 June, Japanese Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar Yoichi Yamaguchi, appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar that the meetings held by National League for Democracy (NLD) Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi of the Union of Myanmar should be permitted from the viewpoint of freedom of political activities. On 7 June, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) of the Union of Myanmar issued a new law -- the law protecting the peaceful and systematic transfer of state responsibility and the successful performance of the functions of its national convention against disturbances and opposition. And, on 8-9 June, the weekly meeting in front of NLD Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi took place as scheduled. SLORC did not interfere in the meetings. On 10 June, Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama stated at his press conference that the Government of Japan hopes that political activities will be respected in Myanmar and that SLORC will continue its restraint measures against the NLD. The situation in Myanmar remains unpredictable. The Government of Japan is closely watching the situation with concern.
  
  Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Japan-U.S. security cooperation
Q: Many of the Japanese papers this morning reported that the Japanese Government has decided, or is studying, the possibility of stepping up cooperation with the United States when there is a conflict on the Korean Peninsula -- as being different than when conflict occurs in other parts of the Far East. They would take it as a strong threat toward Japan when there is a case on the Korean Peninsula. Some of the reports said that the Japanese Government would treat such a situation almost the same as a threat on Japan itself. Could you confirm the situation, and could you tell us what some of the cooperation actions are that will be stepped up between the U.S. and Japan?

A: I believe you are talking about the so-called guidelines of Japan-U.S. defense cooperation. The so-called mini-Security Subcommittee (SSC) meeting took place on 28 May. First of all, I would like to tell you what basically was agreed on at that meeting. Firstly, the two sides decided to reform the Subcommittee on Defense Cooperation (SDC). Under the new Subcommittee, the two governments will review the present guideline. Secondly, at the end of this month, Defense Department Under Secretary for Policy Walter Slocombe of the United States of America is expected to visit Japan. Both governments intend to formally announce the reform of the SDC. The new terms of reference will be published then. Thirdly, in September, both governments intend to hold the so-called 2+2 Meeting. The two governments intend to publicize a sort of progressive report of the review of the guidelines. As for the Japanese side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Defense Agency have been reviewing this, but have not yet reached any conclusion. In this sense, what the newspaper reported is speculation. I would like to remind you that the Cabinet itself is reviewing, or studying, the so-called emergency measures. The study of the review of defense cooperation will be done together with the study of emergency agencies.
Humanitarian assistance to North Korea
Q: It was reported that the leaders of the current Japanese political parties agreed that Japan should provide North Korea with US$6 million worth of material. Is that position of the political parties comfortable for the Japanese Government?

A: I would like to emphasize that the Government of Japan is now at the advanced stages of the decision-making process. However, the Government has not entered the stage of final decisions and its announcement. This morning, the Government had a chance to talk to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Tomorrow, we understand that the Joint Foreign Policy Coordination Committee of the Coalition Party will take place. The Government is going to consult with the Committee tomorrow, too. At the same time, we know that the Government of the Republic of Korea announced its emergency aid to North Korea in the amount of US$3 million. The Republic of Korea has already informed us of this. The Government of Japan is also informing the Governments of the Republic of Korea and the United States about the process of our decision on the aid.
Alleged North Korean missile capability
Q: Recently, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the North Koreans have four nuclear missiles. Could you tell me how the Japanese Government Self Defense Forces survey the missile situation in North Korea?

A: The Japan Self Defense Forces are exchanging information with Japan's ally, the United States. As far as this particular issue is concerned, we are now investigating whether or not the newspaper reports reflect reality or not. We understand that Vice Chairman of the Foreign Economic Committee Kim Jong U of North Korea did not tell Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Hubbard of the United States of America that North Korea owned four missiles. But, in any case, we are investigating whether North Korea has four missiles.
United Nations humanitarian assistance to North Korea and the proposed four-party conference
Q: Could you tell us the background of how the United Nations came up with this deal to Japan, South Korea and the United Nations for food aid to North Korea, and if it is connected in any way to the four-nation peace proposal? If it is not connected, if it is not a condition, do you hope that North Korea would reply positively to the U.S. and South Koreans?

A: Three countries -- the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea have been independently studying whether any of those countries would extend food aid to North Korea. When the Deputy Ministers Meeting took place on Cheju Island, they exchanged views on the food situation and the economic situation in North Korea. The three countries more or less shared the same evaluations on this, and after that, on the initial United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) appeal. While information was being exchanged among the three countries, the Republic of Korea announced the aid to North Korea. Japan, as I said, is at the advanced stages of decision making. We have been informed that the United States is also at the final stage of finalizing its aid. I believe all three countries are independently deciding. At the same time, all three countries have extended or are going to extend aid for humanitarian purposes. If you talk about other aspects -- for example, the four-party conference is still an outstanding issue -- we sincerely hope that North Korea will respond positively on this. But, we have not yet received any information on a new move by North Korea.

Q: My question was were the two connected in any way -- was it a condition?

A: It was not a condition.
North Korean Rodong missile development and reported possession of nuclear warheads
Q: You said the Japanese Government is investigating the report, from which I take it that you are at least entertaining the possibility that it might be accurate. But, before that report was made, what was the Government of Japan's assessment of North Korea's nuclear capabilities?

A: As far as nuclear capabilities are concerned --.

Q: Nuclear weapons and possible nuclear warheads.

A: We are very much interested in the development of the so-called Rodong missile. We understand that North Korea is contemplating developing another type of missile which can reach farther than the Rodong. While we are following what they are doing, we have not received concrete information which we can publicize. What we can say is that we are following what is going on over there, together with our ally, the United States.

Q: Before this report was made, did Japan have its own estimate of the number of warheads, if any, that North Korea had?

A: If you talk about warheads, the Government of Japan has not obtained any specific information on whether the North Korean's own a specific number of warheads or not.
Possibility of North Korean matters being discussed at the Lyon G-7 Summit
Q: Do you think there is a possibility that the G-7 economies will take up the North Korean matter at the Summit in Lyon?

A: As you know, at the G-7 Summit, the participants will freely exchange views on various subjects. On the basis of past experience, they will exchange views on the regional political situation, and the Government of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States have been urging their European colleagues to be more interested in the situations on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, there is a big possibility that the Korean matter will be discussed among the Summit participants. But still, we do not know how they will touch on the subject.

Q: Will Japan or the United States bring any specific proposals or suggestions to Lyon regarding the Korean Peninsula?

A: As far as the political subject is concerned, we have to wait until the Communique or Chairman's Declaration is issued. There are still many more days to come, and we can include many things in the Chairman's summing up.

Q: For instance, will Japan or the United States be encouraging European countries to give any more money to KEDO?

A: As far as that subject is concerned, there has been a move inside the European Union to contribute a specific amount of money to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). We hope that the European Union would formally adopt this and contribute money to KEDO.

Q: The EU has, in turn, been pressing for a seat on the KEDO committee or governing body. Is that request -- that wish -- likely to be granted?

A: I do not have an answer on this. I will check on it and get back to you. But, in any case, that is not a matter to be discussed at the Summit.

Q: No, that wouldn't be discussed at the Summit.

A: No, I think not. But, in any case, I will check and come back to you later.
Reported misuse of disaster insurance funds by North Korea
Q: There are reports that North Korea received insurance payments for drought and floods, and did not use it for food. Do you have any information about this?

A: Yes. We are also investigating this matter. We have heard the report itself, but we have not yet found out whether the report is correct or not. But, in any case, we understand that the DHA itself issued the appeal, based on the firm investigation of the food situation, and so on. However, on this particular insurance matter, we are finding out whether this reflects reality or not.

Q: If this report turns out to be true, meaning North Korea received the money and did not spend it on food, is Japan willing to contribute the aid if that is the case?

A: We understand that the DHA and the World Food Plan (WFP) and other agencies have sent various missions to North Korea, and they took into consideration all possible factors. On the basis of this, they just issued an appeal. This is what the Government of Japan understands.

Q: So, the report about the misuse of the insurance funds has not caused Japan in any way to reassess its aid policy to North Korea?

A: We simply cannot at the moment confirm whether the report is correct or not. Therefore, to be frank, we cannot make a comment on that.
Okinawa elections and the realignment, consolidation and reduction of United States bases on Okinawa
Q: Last Sunday there was an election in Okinawa. The pro-Ota forces won by a kind of landslide. How does this political development impact the talks on the review of Futenma Air Station.

A: I am a civil servant who works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I do not think it is appropriate for me to make a comment on Okinawa's prefectural election results. In any case, the Governments of Japan and the United States are determined to make the final report on the realignment, consolidation, and reduction of bases on Okinawa by November. In order to realize the task in front of us, the central Government has to get the full support of Okinawans. So, whatever the results of the prefectural elections in Okinawa, the central Government wants to jointly tackle this issue.

Q: Is it possible?

A: We have to do so. Yesterday, when Governor Masahide Ota of Okinawa Prefecture came to participate in the consultations with the central Government, it was not our understanding that he was opposed to joint cooperation on this issue.
Japanese policy regarding the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar
Q: Yesterday, Ambassador Brown of the United States was in Tokyo talking to Foreign Minister Ikeda in order to coordinate policy on Myanmar. Can you tell us what they talked about and what they agreed on?

A: Yesterday, Ambassador William Brown of the United States of America told Foreign Minister Ikeda that his purpose for visiting Japan and the ASEAN countries is to study how to avoid the further deterioration of situations in Myanmar, and how to promote dialogue between SLORC and the NLD. Foreign Minister Ikeda replied that the Government of Japan is very much concerned about the political situation in Myanmar. Japan also wants to avoid further tense situations in Myanmar, and is trying to find out how it can help improve the situation through dialogue between the two parties. Secondly, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that it is effective for the countries concerned to call upon, individually, the Government of Myanmar to take further steps for democratization. Thirdly, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the Government of Japan has been maintaining dialogue both with the Government of Myanmar and the NLD, and that Japan will continue to study what it can do on this matter. This is more or less what the two gentlemen talked about.

Q: Apart from the two individual countries making personal representations to the Myanmar Government, what other means of promoting dialogue between the two sides were discussed or considered?

A: For the time being, I understand that both the United States and Japan are happy that the two countries, the other ASEAN countries, and all countries concerned independently approached the Government of Myanmar. But, we have to watch the present situation in Myanmar and wait and see whether the present efforts are sufficient or not.

Q: If the situation deteriorates, would Japan consider sanctions of some kind?

A: It is a bit too early for us to talk about this. The direct conflict between the two parties will not give any satisfactory answer to the question. We understand that the role of the Government of Japan is to do its best to see that conflict will not happen. So, we hope that some kind of dialogue can be established between the two parties, rather than having to think of measures against Myanmar.

Q: You haven't ruled out the possibility of countermeasures?

A: We do not want to make a comment on this, because we have been endeavoring to talk to SLORC and the NLD, and for the time being, NLD Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi has shown restraint. Therefore, we hope that the Myanmar wisdom can work over there.

Q: Could you tell us about the kinds of contact Japan has had with the NLD?

A: We have been constantly contacting NLD Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, but we do not publicize -- each time -- when we meet or what we talk about. But, we have been communicating with her and her colleagues.

Q: You said that the Ambassador to Myanmar had urged restraint and caution on the part of SLORC. Have Japanese officials made recommendations or suggestions to the NLD about the way they conduct themselves?

A: For example, we have also been telling NLD Chairman Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues that we are also communicating with SLORC. And, we ask the NLD to also show further restraint on this, so that direct conflict between the two parties will not take place.

Q: You pointed out that Aung San Suu Kyi has recently been exercising notable restraint herself. Is that a course of action which Japan approves or recommends?

A: She is a very independent, shrewd politician. I do not think any of the governments can influence her. But, at the same time, I think she has a great capacity to listen to the advice or information given to her. In any case, we have been telling both SLORC and the NLD that they should endeavor to establish some kind of direct contact. At the same time, we have been telling SLORC that Myanmar itself should further democratize, and that a civilian government should be established with a new constitution. The Government of Japan advises SLORC to try to get various opinions from the various sectors of society in Myanmar.
Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda on the arrest of Japanese Red Army member Kazue Yoshimura
Q: The gist of remarks by the Foreign Minister refers to Kazue Yoshimura, member of the Japanese Red Army. I am not clear about the early details of the case, but it was my understanding that Yoshimura has not been tried, and that she denies involvement in the crimes of which she is suspected. Does that statement that she is a member of the Japanese Red Army suggest that Foreign Minister Ikeda is convinced of her guilt before she stands trial?

A: That lady who was arrested did not confess that she was Kazue Yoshimura. However, the Japanese National Police believes that that lady is Kazue Yoshimura, who is a member of the Japanese Red Army. On the basis of that, Foreign Minister Ikeda issued his statement on the subject.
Distribution channels for humanitarian assistance to North Korea
Q: How did the Government decide the amount of the donation to North Korea, and do you believe that it will be used for food purposes and not for the military?

A: As I said, the Government of Japan is in the advanced stage of the decision-making process, and we hope that we can gain a consensus among the coalition parties as soon as possible. Whenever this is possible, we want to publicize this. This is one point. The other point is, we are not in a position yet to confirm the exact amount of aid to North Korea now; however, this money is going to be donated to North Korea through the United Nations organizations, and we trust in their ability to distribute the necessary commodities to the necessary people in need. Thank you very much.

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