Press Conference by the Press Secretary 28 February 1997

Visit to Japan by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister David Levy of the State of Israel
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister David Levy of the State of Israel is in Japan on an official visit. Yesterday, 27 February, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda following a courtesy call on Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. I would like to give you a very brief read-out of the talks between the two Foreign Ministers. They met for approximately two hours and twenty minutes, which included a working dinner. Their discussions centered on the Middle East peace process and bilateral matters. Let me give you the salient points of the discussion. Firstly, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy made a proposal to the Japanese side. In view of Japan's growing engagement in the Middle East peace process, he suggested that senior officials of the two Governments meet several times each year to discuss the Middle East peace process; Foreign Minister Ikeda accepted this proposal. The second point is the exchange of visits between the top leaders of the two countries. Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy confirmed the invitation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the State of Israel for Prime Minister Hashimoto to visit Israel. Foreign Minister Ikeda likewise reconfirmed the invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit Japan that he personally extended at the time of his visit to Israel last summer. The third point is the civil aviation talks between the two countries. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to move forward the negotiations for the bilateral Civil Aviation Agreement which is now at an impasse. Furthermore, they agreed to hold a meeting of experts in the near future. Finally, Foreign Minister Ikeda explained the Japanese position to Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy regarding the announcement made by Israel on 26 February regarding the Har Homa Housing Project in east Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Ikeda told Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy that Japan considered this decision regrettable. Let me give you in more detail what Foreign Minister Ikeda said regarding this final point. He said that Japan was appreciative of the fact that peace talks had been making good progress since the Hebron Agreement had been reached. However, he said that this measure -- referring to the decision regarding the Har Homa Housing Project -- had a negative impact on the Middle East peace process and that although Israel and the international community might have different views regarding east Jerusalem, this matter should be dealt with prudently from a political perspective so as not to undermine the atmosphere for the peace talks. There was no convergence of views regarding the Har Homa Housing Project. However, they agreed that it was important to continue efforts to build confidence between Israel and the Palestinians, which is necessary for moving forward the peace process. In his meeting with Prime Minister Hashimoto, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Levy briefed Prime Minister Hashimoto on the Middle East peace process. Prime Minister Hashimoto, in regard to the Har Homa Housing Project, made a comment very similar to the comment made by Foreign Minister Ikeda. But at the same time, he said that it was good news that substantive progress was being made on the Palestinian track. Prime Minister Hashimoto said that the ties between Japan and Israel were in very good shape and that this was an important factor in order for Japan to play a role in moving forward the Middle East peace process. That is the announcement that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Proposed sanctions on Japanese ships entering United States ports
Q: The United States Federal Maritime Commission announced Wednesday that they are going to go ahead with sanctions on certain shippers entering United States ports. What is Japan's response to this? Are there any plans to take court action?

A: In the announcement made on 26 February by the United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), there was an allegation that the "prior consultation" system in Japan supported by the licensing system on port transportation businesses creates conditions unfavorable to United States cargo ships doing trade between Japan and the United States. There have been requests made by various countries including the United States regarding the institutional modernization of harbor-related practices in Japan. The Government of Japan also considers this an urgent task that needs to be addressed. For this reason, talks among the parties concerned have recently started under the Chairmanship of the Japanese Ministry of Transport to improve the prior consultation system. The Government of Japan is concerned by the FMC's recent decision, because this might adversely affect the efforts being made in Japan and might effectively delay the resolution of this issue. We believe that the implementation of this FMC unilateral measure might constitute a violation of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Japan and the United States, as well as of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement. We believe that the FMC should withdraw its decision and underscore the fact that unless it does so, the Government of Japan will respond in a manner consistent with the most appropriate international rules; thus, ensuring that Japan's legitimate interests under these international agreements are protected.

Q: In a nutshell, does Japan disagree? Could you reiterate the Japanese position?

A: Our position is to urge the FMC to withdraw its decision, because, firstly, this may have a negative impact on efforts currently being made in Japan to make improvements in the prior consultation system, and secondly, because we consider that this unilateral measure may be in violation of international agreements.

Q: What are possible reactions that Japan might take in response to these sanctions?

A: We are currently considering very carefully what the most effective course of action might be. Next week, a Ministry of Transportation senior official will be sent to Washington to discuss this matter with his United States counterpart. Regarding the possible response in accordance with international rules, we are still in the process of considering what the most effective course of action might be. However, in general terms, there is a dispute settlement clause in the Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Treaty, Article 24, as well as in the WTO Agreements. We think these dispute settlement measures are available to us.
Situation on the Korean Peninsula
Q: In light of the many recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, could you comment on Japan's view of the apparent instability for both South and North Korea?

A: The Government of Japan's policy is that we do not comment on the domestic affairs of other countries. However, I would like to underscore the fact that our ties with the Republic of Korea are among the most important of bilateral relations for Japan. We strongly believe that the development of good, cooperative ties between the two countries is essential not only to our two countries, but to the peace and prosperity of the East Asia-Pacific region. We also believe that this perception is shared by the Government of the Republic of Korea. Turning to the situation in North Korea, similarly I will have to refrain from making any comments on the possible impact that recent developments in North Korea may have on the situation there. I cannot speculate on the possible outcome of recent events. As you know, North Korea currently has serious problems, particularly in terms of the economic situation and the food supply. We believe that we need to watch developments in North Korea very carefully.
Postponement of the visit to Japan by First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Vasiljevich Ilyushin of the Russian Federation
Q: What is the Japanese reaction to the postponement of the visit to Japan by First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Vasiljevich Ilyushin of Russia?

A: Naturally, we are very disappointed. The purpose of the visit of First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Vasiljevich Ilyushin of the Russian Federation was to hold the Second Japan-Russia Intergovernmental Committee concerning Trade and Economy with Foreign Minister Ikeda. We attach a great deal of importance to this Forum. We think this Forum has great significance from the perspective of advancing the bilateral relationship between Japan and the Russian Federation, particularly in the economic area. First Deputy Prime Minister Ilyushin telephoned Foreign Minister Ikeda on 26 February informing him of the postponement of his visit to Japan, and also told him that the postponement was due to purely domestic circumstances in the Russian Federation and had nothing to do with the relations between Russia and Japan. Further, he informed Foreign Minister Ikeda that he was in charge of social affairs, and that Russia had very important issues that needed his attention. Therefore, he was unable to make the visit to Japan. Foreign Minister Ikeda told First Deputy Prime Minister Ilyushin that he understood the very important role he was playing and the magnitude of the problem that he had to address; thus, he understood why he had to postpone his visit. First Deputy Prime Minister Ilyushin told Foreign Minister Ikeda that he would like to go ahead with the visit in the second quarter of 1997. We will be discussing the specific timing of the visit through diplomatic channels.

Q: So, are you saying that this postponement did not affect the dialogue between the two countries?

A: There are other exchanges of visits that both Governments have in mind for this year. The two sides will be considering the timing of First Deputy Prime Minister Ilyushin's visit to Japan in the context of the entire schedule for high-level dialogue in the near term. However, we do not believe that the postponement of the visit will have any major impact on our schedule for high-level dialogue or on the overall bilateral relationship.
Detainment of suspected Red Army members in the Republic of Lebanon
Q: Could you give any information on the Red Army suspects in Lebanon?

A: It is the understanding of the Government of Japan that a certain amount of time will be needed for the investigation of this case by the Authorities of the Government of the Republic of Lebanon. On 25 February, the Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon visited the Lebanese Foreign Minister and conveyed once again the Japanese request for the Lebanese Authorities to turn over custody of those detained if they are identified as members of the Japanese Red Army or are suspected of breaching Japanese law. The Lebanese Foreign Minister promised our Ambassador in Lebanon that he would pass on any new information to us as soon as it was available. Presently we are awaiting a response from the Lebanese side, and we hope that the case will be dealt with properly by the Lebanese Authorities.

Q: How soon would you like a response from the Lebanese Authorities as to whether there is anything substantial to this case?

A: We have been requesting information on this case for some time now. Therefore, I would say the sooner the better. However, we do understand that a certain amount of time is necessary for the Lebanese Authorities to investigate this case. I am not prepared to discuss specific time frames.
Illegal immigrants from the People's Republic of China
Q: What is Japan doing about the alleged smuggling of illegal immigrants from China?

A: As of 25 February, the number of illegal immigrants from the People's Republic of China to Japan for 1997 is 692 -- the figure for all of 1996 was 545. Naturally, we were concerned about this situation. In the past, we have requested of the Chinese side that they step up law enforcement activities, and that they strengthen their public education campaigns. We have said this at the time of regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, and also at the time of the bilateral consultations between the two Governments on consular affairs. The Chinese side also considers this to be a problem, and they have informed us that they have taken a number of measures to stop this flow of illegal immigration. They have told us that they have been holding meetings between central government and local government on enforcement activities, holding a public education campaign, putting stronger controls on ships at points of departure, and increasing patrolling activities along the coasts. More recently, on 13 February, Director-General of the Asian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a request to the minister of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo regarding this matter. Pointing to the recent surge in the number of illegal immigrants from China, he underscored the fact that this was becoming a major social problem in Japan, and that it might have an undesirable impact on the relations between the two countries. He requested that the Chinese side take prompt, effective steps to arrest this trend.

Q: Are you satisfied with what the Chinese authorities are doing so far?

A: This meeting I mentioned took place about two weeks ago. At that time, the Chinese Minister told us that he would report this to the Government in Beijing, he said he was well aware of the humanitarian support that Japan was giving to the illegal immigrants, and he said that, although China had been cooperating with the Japanese side so as to prevent this illegal immigration, China would like to make further efforts in light of the request from the Japanese side. Thank you very much.

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