Press Conference by the Press Secretary 17 January 1997

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda on the Israeli-Palestinian Agreement on Hebron and other issues
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: I would like to make a brief announcement regarding the Israeli-Palestinian Agreement on Hebron and other issues. We have made available to you the English translation of the Statement issued by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda on 15 January. As this statement says, the Government of Japan believes that the Agreement reached on various issues pertaining to the implementation of existing agreements, including the issue of Hebron, constitutes a significant step toward advancing the Palestinian track. Japan highly values the efforts of the parties concerned, which have enabled the solution of these difficult issues, and pays tribute to the intermediary role played by the United States and the supportive efforts make by Jordan and Egypt at the final stage of the negotiations. Japan will continue to closely watch the implementation of the Agreement reached on 15 January. We are pleased to hear that early this morning -- Tokyo time -- the Israeli Knesset approved the accord. That is my announcement. I would like to answer any questions that you might have.
Comfort Women Issue
Q: I would like to ask you a question in relation to the Summit that will be held in Beppu on 25-26 January between the leaders of Korea and Japan. Will the comfort woman issue be discussed during this Summit?

A: With regard to the comfort woman issue -- As you know, this was discussed between the two foreign ministers on 15 January. In the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoo Chong Ha of the Republic of Korea told Foreign Minister Ikeda that the initiation of the project by the Asian Women's Fund in the Republic of Korea was extremely regrettable. He asked for the withdrawal of the measure, and for the suspension of further payments. In response to this, Foreign Minister Ikeda told Foreign Minister Yoo that this decision by the Asian Women's Fund was made from a humanitarian perspective, respecting the wishes of the former comfort women. He said that the measures taken by the Fund could not be withdrawn, but he said that the Japanese side was prepared to have this discussed by the foreign ministries of the two countries. The Government of Japan would like to continue efforts to gain the understanding of the Government of the Republic of Korea on this issue. With regard to your question on if this will be taken up in the Bilateral Summit later this month, I will have to refrain from making predictions on what the two leaders will discuss. For your information, the purpose of this Summit is to conduct exchanges of views on a broad range of issues, including bilateral issues and world affairs, among other things.

Q: On the morning of the Foreign Ministers Meeting on the 15th, one Japanese paper reported that Foreign Minister Ikeda asked Foreign Minister Yoo about the statement he reportedly made to Mr. Hatoyama while he was visiting Korea about the necessity of national compensation for comfort women. Did Foreign Minister Ikeda ask Foreign Minister Yoo about this?

A: I have described to you what was discussed between the two foreign ministers.
Agenda for the upcoming Japan-Republic of Korea Bilateral Summit in Beppu, Japan
Q: I have a final question in regard to the Summit to be held in Beppu. Will the Japanese Government express in any way a willingness to give more rice to North Korea? Will the Japanese Government tell the Korean Government that early normalization talks between Japan and North Korea will be necessary at this Summit?

A: I will have to refrain from making any predictions about what will be discussed between the two leaders. But, I think that the Japanese position on the two issues that you mentioned is well-known in both cases. In the case of additional rice, it is the position of the Government of Japan that the prerequisite of economic assistance to North Korea is the normalization of ties. Secondly, last year, we did extend assistance, in terms of rice, to North Korea. But, these were exceptional measures taken out of humanitarian considerations, and also in view of the fact that we had a surplus of imported rice. Currently, we have no plans to give further assistance to North Korea in terms of rice. With regard to early normalization of talks between North and South Korea, the current situation remains the same. We are still not in a position to talk about the time frame for the resumption of the talks. You are well aware of the Japanese position regarding the talks. There are two aspects. One is that we need to normalize the anomalous state of affairs that has existed between Japan and North Korea since the end of the war. The other aspect is to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Thirdly, in so doing, we will stay in close touch with the Government of the Republic of Korea. During his visit to Seoul, the day before yesterday, Foreign Minister Ikeda explained this Japanese position to both President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea and Foreign Minister Yoo.
Reports on waste disposal in the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea
Q: Does the Government of Japan have any observation or confirmation of a Taiwanese electric power company exporting or storing radioactive wastes in North Korea?

A: I do not have any information on that. I do not think that I am in a position to confirm such reports.

Q: The Taiwanese have already confirmed this fact. I was wondering whether or not the Japanese Government has a comment on this?

A: I do not have any comment to make at this moment.
Oil spill clean-up efforts in Japan
Q: How would you assess or comment on the decision by the Russian Government to cooperate in clean-up efforts by sending two ships? At this moment, it is not quite clear who or what is the cause of this accident.

A: As you know, two ships are on their way to the site of the oil spill. On the 15th, I believe that the Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation told our Ambassador to the Russian Federation in Moscow Togo that Russia was considering sending a third ship there. We consider this to be an expression of sincerity on the part of the Government of Russia regarding this accident.

Q: One Russian Government Minister suggested that a kind of explosion could be a reason for the accident. However, at this time the Russian Government has expressed that they have had no opportunity to make on-site inspections. Would the Japanese Government cooperate if the Russian side asked to make investigations on the site of the oil spill?

A: During the meeting between our Ambassador and the Russian Minister of Transport on 15 January, we were told about this offer to send experts by the Russian side. I do not know how this offer has been followed up on after this meeting. So, I cannot directly respond to your question. However, with regard to the clean-up efforts to be made by Russian ships in the Sea of Japan, Japan will be making efforts to cooperate so that the ships can conduct their activities smoothly. We will continue to call on the Russian Government to investigate the causes of this accident, and -- once they have the results -- to share the results with us.
Legal issues regarding the oil spill off the coast of Japan
Q: Is the Japanese Government not considering a possible criminal prosecution of the crew of the Russian Tanker? Also, if the damage should go beyond the insurance limits of the shipping company, will the Government of Japan ask for compensation for damage from the Russian side?

A: For the time being, we are concentrating on efforts to clean up the spill and to prevent further pollution of the seas in the vicinity of Japan. The legal aspects that you mention will be looked at in the days to come. I understand that both Japanese and Russian laws may be applicable to this case.

Q: How about in regard to compensation?

A: I believe that this is also a legal issue. We need to know the causes of this accident before we can go into the specific legalities.
Seizure of a Japanese fishing vessel by authorities in Taiwan
Q: A newspaper report said that a Japanese fishing boat was seized by Taiwan's Maritime Authorities. Do you have any comment on this?

A: Yes, we are aware of this. We have reports that on the afternoon of 16 January, a Japanese fishing vessel was captured by the Taiwanese authorities. We were told that the ship was towed to a port in the southern part of Taiwan, and that the crew is now being questioned there. We do not know the details of why the vessel was captured, or the details regarding the current situation of the crew members. We are seeking information on this through regular channels. That is all I can say at the moment. Our response will be considered in light of the results of inquiries that we are making. Thank you very much.

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