Press Conference by the Press Secretary 11 March 1997

Press Conference Announcements
1. Situation on the Korean Peninsula
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: At the Japan- Republic of Korea-United States working-level consultations, there was a discussion on the joint briefing and on the assessment of United States-North Korea consultations, as well as on the situation in North Korea, food aid, and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). There was a consensus among the three countries that the food situation in North Korea continues to deteriorate and needs to be further carefully watched. As for the issue of food aid to North Korea, the United States and the Republic of Korea stated that it would be effective if Japan decides to extend food aid to North Korea, adding that the decision is entirely up to Japan.
2. The Tokyo Conference on Anti-personnel Landmines
  Spokesman Hashimoto: As assistance for landmine clearance, Japan intends to cooperate making use of official development assistance (ODA). In terms of technological development for landmine clearance, Japan intends to strive to make the greatest use of its private technologies for humanitarian purposes. As assistance to those injured, Japan will continue to use ODA and intends also to assist in the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Regarding the comprehensive prohibition of anti-personnel landmines, at the June 1996 Leon Summit, Japan announced its stance of supporting international efforts aiming at comprehensive prohibition of anti-personnel landmines.
3. Japan-United States Aviation Consultations
  Spokesman Hashimoto: Japan-United States Aviation Consultations were held in Washington for three days from 4 to 6 March. The United States side based its position on the "open sky" policy, and the Japan side based its position on liberalization premised on equality. Talks were held and each side deepened its understanding of the other, and it was decided that the next consultations would also be held on an unofficial basis in early April in Hawaii.
4. Working Group on accession of the People's Republic of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
  Spokesman Hashimoto: Japan has supported the accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the People's Republic of China. At the Working Group on the accession to the WTO by China held in Geneva from 4 to 6 March, progress was made by China which stated in the talks that it would liberalize foreign trading rights three years after accessioning to the WTO -- Japan welcomes such progress. In the negotiations on the accession to the WTO by China, there remain issues including the protocol on accession and other items as well as negotiations on tariffs and the repeal of non-tariff measures. However, at the next meeting of the Working Group which is scheduled to take place in the latter half of May 1997, Japan hopes that China will take a forward-looking approach so that the early accession to the WTO by China can be realized.
Legal procedures involving Japanese Red Army members being detained in the Republic of Lebanon
Q: Regarding the Japanese Red Army members being held in Beirut, they have admitted they are members of the Red Army. Are there any new developments in this case? What will Japan do over the next couple of weeks?

Spokesman Hashimoto: As far as we understand, there have not been any new developments on this issue. The legal procedures are still going on in the Republic of Lebanon, and we understand that the national police have decided to file this case in court. We do not know how the procedures will commence, therefore, for the time being, we must wait for clarification on the procedures. In general terms, the Government of Japan hopes that these individuals will be transferred to Japan as soon as the legal procedures are completed. But apart from that, we still do not know the details of the procedures.

Q: I would like to get more clarification on the results of the Hirabayashi envoy to Lebanon.

Spokesman Hashimoto: During the stay of Head of the Cabinet Councillor's Office on External Affairs Hiroshi Hirabayashi of the Prime Minister's Office in Lebanon, the Lebanese side informed Cabinet Councillor Head Hirabayashi that the identification of those suspects would be announced soon. In fact, after that, the Government of Lebanon identified eight Japanese citizens, out of which the Government of Japan believes five are members of the Japanese Red Army. Following this, Cabinet Councillor Head Hirabayashi went to the Syrian Arab Republic and exchanged views with President Hafez al-Assad of the Syrian Arab Republic and members of the Government of Syria. We understand that the Syrian Government is also cooperative. However, the Government of Lebanon has the sovereign power to go ahead with legal procedures, which we understand. Therefore, the mission of Cabinet Councillor Head Hirabayashi was realized in the sense that the Lebanese Government formally recognizes that they hold eight Japanese citizens. The Lebanese Authorities will probably carry out legal procedures on five of the Japanese citizens for breach of Lebanese laws. We will wait till these legal procedures are cleared, and then we will ask the Lebanese Authorities to transfer the custody of these individuals to Japan. Then, we would like to perform a Japanese investigation as to whether these Japanese individuals are really members of the Japanese Red Army, and then carry out Japanese legal procedures.
State of Israel housing project in east Jerusalem
Q: The United States is condemning Israel for building more settlements in east Jerusalem. What is the position of the Japanese Government toward this United States action?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda clearly stated to Minister of Foreign Affairs David Levy of the State of Israel when Foreign Minister Levy was in Japan several days ago that the Government of Japan regrets the decision by the Government of Israel to go ahead with the planned project.

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