Press Conference by the Press Secretary 27 September 1996

1. Incident involving the accidental death of a passenger of the Kien Hwa
2. Situation involving clashes between Israeli security units and Palestinians
3. Further details of the incident involving the accidental death of a passenger of the Kien Hwa
4. Japan's position in regard to activities of a private group
5. Meeting in New York between Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
6. Fishery consultations between Japan and Taiwan
7. Meeting in New York between Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgenii Maksimovich Primakov of the Russian Federation and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
8. Press reports of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto cancelling a planned visit to Yasukuni Shrine

1. Incident involving the accidental death of a passenger of the Kien Hwa

   Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I think you have heard about the very unfortunate death of Mr. David Chan, one of the two people who were seriously injured when four individuals jumped into the sea from the Kien Hwa in the waters of the Senkaku Islands. The Government of Japan, from the humanitarian perspective, made utmost efforts to assist in the situation, and is saddened by this outcome. I personally wish to express my deep sadness at this tragedy. It is our hope that the other seriously injured individual, Mr. Fong Yu Yuen, fully recovers as soon as possible, and we strongly hope that this type of incident is never repeated.

   Now, let me give you in a little more detail an account of what happened yesterday. The Kien Hwa entered the territorial waters around Uotsuri Island in the early hours of 26 September, and then withdrew outside the territorial waters. Then, at 09:00 the same day, the vessel reentered the territorial waters. All the while, a patrol vessel of the Maritime Safety Agency repeatedly radioed warnings to the vessel to withdraw from Japanese territorial waters. At approximately 10:27 on the morning of 26 September, the same day, four individuals from the Kien Hwa jumped into the sea at a location approximately 3.3 kilometers north of the western tip of Uotsuri Island. By 10:40, all four individuals were taken back on board by the Kien Hwa. At that time, two of the individuals were in serious condition. Later on, at approximately 10:58, in response to a request for emergency assistance from the captain of the Kien Hwa to the Maritime Safety Agency, two personnel of the Maritime Safety Agency immediately boarded the Kien Hwa and administered a heart massage to one of the two individuals in serious condition, Mr. Chan. At 13:45, a doctor was flown in from Ishigaki Island to the Kien Hwa by a Maritime Safety Agency helicopter. In spite of all out efforts by the doctor, at 14:03 the individual was declared dead. According to the doctor, drowning appeared to be the cause of death. At approximately 11:13, the other individual, Mr. Fong, was transported to Ishigaki Island by a Maritime Safety Agency helicopter, and he is currently receiving treatment at Yaeyama Prefectural Hospital. His condition is listed as stable. This is my first announcement.

2. Situation involving clashes between Israeli security units and Palestinians

   Spokesman Shimanouchi: Japan is seriously concerned about the situation involving clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security units in various places on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, which has caused many casualties on both sides. Japan expresses condolences to those who lost their lives, and its sympathies for the wounded. We call on both Israelis and Palestinians to exercise self-restraint so that the situation can return to a state of calm. Japan urges the relevant parties to make endeavors to overcome the current difficulties, to take positive steps toward the implementation of the agreements that have been thus far reached, and at the same time, to avoid actions which would damage such endeavors and work to create a better environment for dialogue. Japan is determined to continue to positively engage in advancing the peace process through various means, such as providing assistance for the Palestinians.

3. Further details of the incident involving the accidental death of a passenger of the Kien Hwa

   Q: On the incident involving the Kien Hwa -- your statement says that four individuals entered the water at 10:27 and by 10:40 they were retrieved and it was clear that two of them were in a bad way. Can you tell us more about what happened in those 13 minutes and what caused their deaths? Were they not wearing life jackets? Did they go under? Were they inundated with waves? Do you know?

   A: I do not have a more detailed account of what happened, but I was watching the TV news last night, and all the individuals seemed to be wearing life vests.

   Q: But just 13 minutes is a very short time for someone to get into such serious difficulties. I was wondering if you had any more information.

   A: I do not have any official information, but I understand that the weather conditions were pretty bad at that time.

   Q: Right. Mr. Chan was declared dead at 14:03, which was three-and-one-half hours after he entered the sea. Does that mean that he actually died before that, and that the doctor was needed to fly in to certify his death, or did he die around 14:03? In other words -- how long was he alive after he was retrieved from the water?

   A: My understanding is that, when we was taken back on board the Kien Hwa, personnel of the Maritime Safety Agency sped to the ship, and they administered heart massage; the doctor arrived at 13:45 and made frantic efforts to resuscitate Mr. Chan, but to no avail, and he had to pronounce Mr. Chan dead at 14:03. That is my understanding.

   Q: So he was dead before the doctor arrived, in fact?

   A: I do not know. I am not a medical expert. You will have to ask the doctor, but the doctor did make efforts to bring Mr. Chan back to life.

   Q: Were there any other vessels of the Maritime Safety Agency in those waters at the time? Your report says that a vessel of the Maritime Safety Agency warned them. Were there any other ships or vessels?

   A: There were a number of Maritime Safety Agency vessels there; I do not have the exact number. The Maritime Safety Agency always makes arrangements necessary to patrol the waters effectively.

   Q: Some reports said there were more than a dozen.

   A: I do not have the exact figure now.

   Q: Also, the reports said that no shots were fired.

   A: I have not heard of any. No, I do not think so. No. Why should there be? This was a humanitarian rescue operation.

   Q: In your statement it says that Japan strongly hopes that this type of incident is never repeated. Of course, I am sure that you have probably heard, or you would know, that there is a possibility of more protests like this being staged. There is supposed to be one next week planned already for 5 October. What is Japan planning to do, in light of this coming situation, in preparation?

   A: We have seen reports in the media about such plans. I think you are well aware of the basic Japanese position regarding the Senkaku Islands, so I will not repeat it here. We strongly hope that everybody approaches this matter in a calm manner, so as not to affect our friendly relationships with the People's Republic of China, with Taiwan and Hong Kong.

   Q: There is always the possibility. If you have this sort of incident again, are there any plans to have more medical personnel there? Are there any plans to do anything unusual, if there is another flotilla?

   A: A life was lost in this situation, and we hope that this will never happen again. And we hope that everybody acts calmly so that this will not happen again.

   Q: Are there any concrete steps you can take to make it more likely that there will be calm?

   A: What we are doing is calling on everybody to act calmly -- to approach this matter calmly.

   Q: If a similar situation was to arise again -- a boat of protesters came up, jumped into the sea -- the approach of the Maritime Safety Agency, the practical steps it would take, would be exactly the same? They haven't learned any lessons or resolved to take new measures in a similar situation, have they?

   A: I do not want to respond to a hypothetical question, except to say that it is our strong hope that everybody approaches this matter calmly, and a similar situation will not be repeated in the future.

4. Japan's position in regard to activities of a private group

   Q: The Japan Youth Association, the group responsible for erecting the lighthouse and causing this incident, is planning to go back down within the next two weeks to the island. What is the Government of Japan's position in relation to the Youth Association. So far, there has been no public condemnation of the Association. What is the position?

   A: I am not aware of the plans by the group that you mentioned. But as we have repeatedly stated in past press conferences, the Government of Japan is in no way involved in the activities of this group, nor does it support these activities. An application was made on 10 September to authorize the structure on Kita-Kojima Island as a formal lighthouse. And the Japanese Government is carefully considering this matter.

   Q: But if the Government doesn't want to cause a regional conflict with Taiwan and China, then why did it not stop the Japan Youth Association from erecting the lighthouse in the first place?

   A: This is a structure erected on private property. As you know, in Japan we have the rule of law. Whatever the Government does has to be in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan. There is a limit to what the Japanese Government can do.

   Q: I am a little confused by that, because the Japan Youth Association illegally went onto the island without the consent of the owner. So, that is breaking the law, is it not?

   A: It is our understanding that the owner has never expressed his objection to the group landing on his island.

   Q: He has not objected, but he has not given permission. What is the law in regard to this matter?

   A: I am not a lawyer. I cannot answer such technical, legal questions. I do not have the legal background or knowledge to respond intelligently to that question. I am sorry.

   Q: Does the Government plan to stop any further attempt by the Japan Youth Association to go to the island?

   A: I have to repeat what I said. Japan is a country governed by law. I hope you understand that there is a limit to what the Japanese Government can do, under the existing laws and regulations of Japan.

   Q: Have any officials of the Government of Japan had any contact, direct or indirect, with the Seinensha (Japan Youth Association) on the subject of the Senkaku Islands?

   A: We are not directly handling the application for the lighthouse, and I do not have the facts. I cannot respond to that question.

5. Meeting in New York between Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda

   Q: I know there has been some quite low-key contact between Japanese and Chinese officials, for example at the United Nations. Can you explain the kinds of efforts which are going on to diffuse the problem between the two countries? What kinds of activities has the Japanese Government initiated?

   A: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda met Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China on 24 September. I do not know if you could describe this as a "low-key contact."

   Q: I mean, calming --.

   A: They did discuss this issue -- the issue of the Senkaku Islands. In this meeting, Foreign Minister Ikeda explained to Foreign Minister Qian Qichen Japan's basic position on the Senkaku Islands, and he also said that it was the common view of both Japan and China that this situation should not be allowed to undermine the overall relationship between the two countries.

   Q: That was the comment of Japan?

   A: Foreign Minister Ikeda said that.

   Q: The common view of China and Japan?

   A: Yes, the two sides.

   Q: This was what was reported after this meeting.

   A: He said that Japan wanted to keep this situation from adversely affecting the Japan-China relationship, and that Japan would be making every effort to that end.

   Q: Did he say specifically what kind of things Japan would be prepared to do?

   A: Let me give you in more detail what he said regarding this issue of the structure. He said that, with regard to the activities of the private group, Japan is in no way involved in those activities. The Government of Japan does not support those activities. An application for permission regarding the lighthouse has been submitted, but Japan will be dealing with this matter carefully. He said that, in any case, he would like to keep such a situation from adversely affecting the bilateral relationship.

   Q: Was the Chinese foreign minister satisfied with that? What was his reaction?

   A: That is not a question that I should respond to. But I can say that there was agreement between the two foreign ministers that cooperative ties between the two countries are very, very important, and that the two sides must keep this issue from affecting the relationship. I think there is full agreement in that regard. The Chinese Foreign Minister stated the position of the Chinese Government, which I think is well known to everybody.

   Q: At that same meeting, China has been quoted after that meeting, as saying that Japan has made a statement that it will take some concrete steps to deal with this issue. There seems to be some discrepancy from the Japanese side about what was actually said in that meeting. Were there any promises made about some specific concrete steps to try to resolve the issue, specifically as far as what the Seinensha are doing in those islands.

   A: The position taken by Foreign Minister Ikeda is as I have explained to you. I have no comments on news reports about the Chinese statement. I have no comment on that. What Foreign Minister Ikeda said is exactly as I've told you.

6. Fishery consultations between Japan and Taiwan

   Q: When and where will the second round of fishery consultations be held between Japan and Taiwan?

   A: To my knowledge the timing and venue are still being coordinated by the two sides through regular channels.

7. Meeting in New York between Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgenii Maksimovich Primakov of the Russian Federation and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda

   Q: What were the main issues discussed by the foreign ministers of Russia and Japan during their meeting in New York? What can you say about the result?

   A: I think it was a very positive, constructive meeting. They met for about half an hour on 24 September. Foreign Minister Ikeda expressed his congratulations for the start of the second Yeltsin Administration, he congratulated Foreign Minister Primakov on his re-appointment as Foreign Minister, and he also conveyed a message from Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation -- that Prime Minister Hashimoto wished the President a successful operation and a speedy recovery. In the message, Prime Minister Hashimoto also expressed his hope that President Yeltsin would soon be able to exercise his leadership role fully. Regarding the diplomatic calendar for Japan-Russia relations, the two foreign ministers agreed that a session of the Working Group on the Peace Treaty and the Vice-ministerial Meeting will be held on 2-3 October. They also agreed that Foreign Minister Primakov's visit to Japan would be taking place in mid- November. I think you are aware of the fishery talks for the establishment of a framework for fishing off the coast of the Northern Territories. With regard to this issue, the two agreed to hold the next round of talks as soon as possible, with the end of October as a target. They discussed a number of other things, but on the economic side, they talked briefly about the Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Issues. In Jakarta, when the two foreign ministers met, they had agreed to hold a second meeting of the Committee next year, and Foreign Minister Ikeda said that he hoped that a replacement for former First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolaevich Soskovets to head the Russian side of this Committee would be appointed soon, so as to accelerate the preparation for this meeting. Foreign Minister Primakov also said the Russian side would like to move ahead with preparations for the meeting. That is the gist of the conversation.

   Q: What is the agenda of consultations in October, the Vice-ministerial Meeting?

   A: The agenda for the Working Group on the Peace Treaty -- that is obvious. I do not have the agenda for the Vice- ministerial Meeting. But I assume that they will be discussing issues of common interest in both bilateral areas and also international areas of common concern to both sides. That is my guess, but I do not have any detailed information regarding the agenda.

8. Press reports of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto cancelling a planned visit to Yasukuni Shrine

   Q: Can you confirm reports that Prime Minister Hashimoto has cancelled a planned visit next month to Yasukuni Shrine, and if so, why that has happened?

   A: The Foreign Ministry would like to refrain from making comments on how the prime minister feels about this, but the perception of history of the Japanese Government is as was stated in the Statement by then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on 15 August 1995. In his meeting with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen of China the other day, Foreign Minister Ikeda clearly stated that the present Government continues to firmly uphold former Prime Minister Murayama's Statement.

   Q: Any relation at all to the situation in the Senkakus? Was there any relation at all? Between the Senkakus and the cancellation of this visit?

   A: I cannot comment or make predictions on the Prime Minister's plans or his feelings.

   Q: This is not a confirmation of that.

   A: I am not commenting on that.

   Q: Are there any further questions?

   A: Thank you very much.