Press Conference by the Press Secretary 1 April 1997
- Press Conference Announcements
- Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda to the People's Republic of China
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda visited the People's Republic of China from March 29th to the 30th. It is noteworthy that both Foreign Minister Ikeda and the Chinese leaders he met with vocally expressed their desire to promote friendly and cooperative relations between the two nations. In this sense, the visit was significant and meaningful. Both sides agreed upon a basic framework for an exchange of visits by the Prime Ministers some time this year, which is the 25 anniversary of the normalization of relations between the two countries. In addition, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China will visit Japan next year, which is the 25th Anniversary of the Peace and Friendship Treaty. The details of the visits will be decided through diplomatic channels. Furthermore, a meaningful exchange of views took place on various bilateral issues, including fishing rights and deserted chemical weapons, as well as the international situation.
- Visit of Vice President Albert Gore of the United States to the Republic of Korea
Spokesman Hashimoto: Vice President Albert Gore of the United States visited the Republic of Korea from March 28th to the 29th. The Government of Japan welcomes that the United States and the Republic of Korea reiterated the importance of their cooperative relations. Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea have been closely contacting one another in dealing with the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, the Government of Japan believes that continued close contacts with the United States and the Republic of Korea in the future will continue to cope with the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
- Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda to the People's Republic of China
- Japan's trade surplus
Q: In recent months, a number of Clinton Administration officials have cautioned Japan about letting its trade surplus rise again. Also, a number of people have predicted that once again, we will have a mini trade war between Japan and the United States. Does the Government of Japan expect this to happen, or are Japan-U.S. relations going to deteriorate over trade? Some people say that this is going to happen this year. What precisely so you expect?
Spokesman Hashimoto: When Foreign Minister Ikeda met Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich of the United States and his colleagues yesterday, this issue was taken up. One of the politicians on the United States side asked about this, and Foreign Minister Ikeda's reply was that some people in the United States are anxious about a possible increase in Japan's trade surplus with the United States. However, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that the ratio of imports to Japan from other countries has been increasing by double digits. The trend in the decrease in Japan's surplus has become structural, and there are no worries that adverse trends will result in the future. Furthermore, in this meeting, Foreign Minister Ikeda explained the characteristics of Japan's market, saying that if you talk about the structural aspects of Japan's market, it is already open. However, he understands that Japan's administrative and commercial practices are sometimes criticized by Japan's trading partners. In light of these criticisms, the Government of Japan has been endeavoring to reduce any possible barriers that it might have. Specifically, he mentioned efforts by the Government of Japan toward deregulation. This is what Foreign Minister Ikeda told his colleagues. If you would like to obtain more information on the Japanese trade surplus, I can have my colleague assist you.
Q: I understand that in the long run, deregulation should cut the trade surplus and the pressures that are causing the trade surplus. However, many observers have noted that the impact of deregulation is not going to happen anytime soon, certainly not any time this year.
Spokesman Hashimoto: I understand that the deregulation measures cannot provide the needed short-term impact on the trade surplus. However, if you talk about the general trend in our trade, you should note what Foreign Minister Ikeda stressed, which was that Japan's economic structure has begun to change. So, in the long run, the trade surplus will decrease. In addition, while the trade surplus is decreasing, the ratio of imports of manufactured goods is increasing. In the past, when the Japanese economy was in bad shape, our trade surplus immediately grew bigger, giving a boost to the Japanese economy. However, that whole structure has changed, i.e., disappeared. Japan's economy still has some difficulties, but in the past Japan's imports have started to increase. Therefore, you should not pay too much attention to a very short-term trade surplus. However, if you are looking for information on a macroeconomic estimate of the trade surplus, or how we analyze our trade surplus, I will ask my colleague to supply you with some data.
Q: In the context of the trade surplus, people talk about structural changes in the surplus. Specifically, are you referring to the increase of manufactured imports? What else does that refer to?
Spokesman Hashimoto: Many Japanese manufacturers have been investing abroad. That also provides a structural change in Japan. In the past, when almost all our manufactured goods were produced in Japan, our trade was more susceptible to the domestic economy and the world economy. At present, however, that kind of situation has changed. Secondly, and probably related to an increase in imports of manufactured goods, Japanese consumers have become more and more interested in obtaining a variety of goods from various sources. Also, they have become more interested in the price of goods in addition to the quality of goods. The change of consumers' attitudes has been contributing also to an increase in manufactured goods.
- Non-governmental relations with Taiwan
Q: Japan is strengthening its relationship with China. However, could you comment on Japan's efforts to better official ties with Taiwan?
Spokesman Hashimoto: The issue of Taiwan was taken up by Foreign Minister Ikeda and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China when Foreign Minister Ikeda visited Beijing last weekend. Foreign Minister Ikeda explained that Japan maintains non- governmental relations with Taiwan in accordance with the Japan-China Joint Communiqué. At the same time, Foreign Minister Ikeda hopes that the two parties across the Taiwan Strait solve the issue of Taiwan peacefully. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said that the Chinese Government has a fundamental policy toward China in which it will pursue peaceful unification. "One China, two systems" is a very fundamental policy and it will not change. As long as foreign powers do not interfere and people in Taiwan do not engage in moves toward independence, the situation over the Taiwan Strait will remain calm. Further, President Jiang Zemin also touched on this issue with Foreign Minister Ikeda in line with what Foreign Minister Qian Qichen told Foreign Minister Ikeda. However, President Jiang Zemin said that the Chinese Government can welcome someone from Taiwan to assume that post as the Vice Chairman of the State. This year we mark the 25th anniversary of the relations between Japan and China. We are very glad to know that both Foreign Minister Ikeda and the Chinese leaders share the same firm view that they would like to develop friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, especially when we look back at the rather difficult time last year; I think that this has been very significant. Further, we are determined to make every effort to promote the relationship between the two countries. But at the same time, we have been enjoying good non-governmental relations with Taiwan. We hope that this will continue to be the case. We are confident that we can accomplish both good relations with China and good non-governmental relations with Taiwan. I do not believe friendly relations with China and good non- governmental relations with Taiwan would be antagonistic.
Q: There is no denying that Taiwan has undergone tremendous achievement in politics and economics. What are the prospects for future visits of Japanese ministers to Taiwan?
Spokesman Hashimoto: As I told you, Japan adheres to the Japan-China Joint Communiqué. We are determined to develop non-governmental relations with Taiwan. If you are talking about the visit of Japanese Cabinet ministers to Taiwan, I hope that you understand that there are difficulties.
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