Press Conference by the Press Secretary 8 April 1997

Press conference announcements
1. Ratification of the United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by the United States of America
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: The United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was signed in Paris in January 1993 and is set to go into effect on April 29th, 1997. However, there are reports that the Convention is facing difficulty in the ratification process within the United States, and that President William Clinton is making a final enthusiastic effort to ensure ratification. At the White House on April 4th, President Clinton, Vice President Albert Gore, former Secretary of State James Baker III and others called on the United States Senate to ratify the CWC. I understand that, since the beginning of this year, the Administration has given due attention to securing the ratification of the CWC with such efforts. The Government of Japan regards it extremely important for the United States to be a founding member of this landmark treaty in order to increase its effectiveness as a weapons reduction treaty, and we have great hopes that the efforts of President Clinton will be rewarded.
2. Visit of Secretary of Defense William Cohen of the United States to Japan
  Spokesman Hashimoto: United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen is visiting Japan. He had talks with Director-General of the Defense Agency Fumio Kyuma. They commended the fact that Japan and the United States have conducted various dialogues closely and intensely based on the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security, and that efforts are being made to build an even closer relationship between Japan and the United States. There was agreement that there is a need for Japan and the United States to jointly continue to make full efforts regarding matters such as the issue of U.S. bases in Okinawa and the review of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. The main points of this meeting were as follows:
  
  First, regarding United States forces in Japan, the two gentlemen agreed that the United States forces in Japan, including the Marine Corps, contribute not only to the security of Japan, but also to international peace and security in the Far East, and that in light of the current international situation, there is a need to maintain approximately the current level of force and function of the United States forces in Japan, including the Marine Corps.
  
  Furthermore, there was agreement that the Governments of Japan and the United States need to maintain close and positive consultations regarding the most appropriate defense policies which can best fulfill the needs of both Japan and the United States and defense postures, including United States military structures, in order to respond to changes which may occur in the international security situation.
  
  Secondly, regarding land use, the Japanese side explained that in order to secure titles to the land for the United States forces in Japan, it had submitted to the Diet a bill to reform the Law on Special Measures for Land Expropriation for the U.S. Forces, and that it would continue to make its utmost efforts for the smooth operation of the United States forces in Japan. Thirdly, regarding ballistic missile defense, both sides confirmed that they would continue to positively conduct joint research on ballistic missile defense (BMD) in order to make a policy decision regarding the role of BMD in Japan's defense policies and Japan's response.
  
  Secretary of Defense William Cohen will meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda tonight and, currently, his courtesy call on Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto is being arranged.
Food aid to North Korea
Q: Congressman Tony Hall of the United States just returned from North Korea after giving a press conference. From there, he was on his way to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. He said he was going to ask Japan to contribute some of its surplus food to help North Korea. Do you have any knowledge of what transpired in these meetings?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Yesterday, the Government of Japan received the unified appeal issued by the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) on emergency and humanitarian aid to North Korea. First, the Government of Japan will discreetly judge whether we should extend emergency aid to North Korea while studying the content of the appeal just issued by the DHA and several other factors. Secondly, we have a surplus of rice, but surplus of rice has nothing to do with our decision to extend aid to any other countries or regions, including North Korea. Last year, when we received a similar appeal from the DHA, we decided to extend certain amounts of contributions through the DHA to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and other relevant agencies under the United Nations for the sake of the North Korean people. Thirdly, we understand that North Korea suffers from a shortage of food. We have no intention to link the issue of extending humanitarian and emergency aid to North Korea with "other factors." However, when we say "other factors," we must also take into consideration the sentiments of the Japanese people, especially when talking of the alleged kidnapping case of a young girl and the cases of the Japanese wives. Therefore, apart from the several points I explained, we must now take a cautious approach in regard to this issue; we would like to continue studying it in a comprehensive manner.

Q: Listening to Congressman Hall this morning, he is describing a situation in which millions of people are on the verge of starvation. Is there a concern by studying this issue that, if the study takes too long, many people will needlessly die?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We will study what kind of emergency aid is really needed in North Korea. Last year, we were informed by the DHA about the shortage of food. I am afraid we have not heard of any cases of North Koreans having died from starvation. Most likely, the situation in North Korea is different from the situation last year, but we must study many elements. Definitely, we will continue to exchange views with the Clinton Administration, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the DHA and other relevant international organizations.

Q: One other point that Congressman Hall raised is that food should not be used as a weapon, especially when lives of children are at stake. Is there a concern that rightly or wrongly, Japan is giving the impression to the rest of the world that it is withholding food aid as a weapon or as a lever to force North Korea to resolve some of these kidnapping cases in which you referred to earlier?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Apart from the appeal made by the United Nations organizations, we have not specifically heard of an urgent call for food aid from North Korea. In the past, we have extended emergency aid and the amount was rather substantial. Of course, Japan takes into account the humanitarian side of this aspect. However, at the same time, if we face the sentiments of the Japanese people, and if we do not have any explanation from North Korea regarding this issue, basically, we must maintain a cautious attitude. Also, we have just received the appeal from the DHA, so we will be shortly studying the content of this appeal.

Q: Was this Japanese position explained to Congressman Hall during his visit today?

Spokesman Hashimoto: First, the explanation that I have just given you reflects the present position of the Government of Japan. Therefore, I am sure that he will receive a full explanation from the Japanese side. In addition to this, when the so-called consultations on the director-general level took place in New York among the Government of Japan, the Clinton Administration and the Government of the Republic of Korea, we also explained this position to our colleagues, and they said it was completely up to our Government as to whether or not we will extend aid to North Korea. But, they simply said that they welcome our decision to do so, because it will complement the effectiveness of emergency aid from those countries to North Korea. Therefore, we also take into consideration what they say. Having said this, we are still maintaining a cautious attitude.
Visa procedures for Okinawa Prefecture
Q: Press reports today said that Foreign Minister Ikeda formed a subcommittee yesterday to study the feasibility of changing visa procedures relating to Okinawa. Could you comment on this?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Okinawa Prefecture has been asking the central Government to apply the so-called no-visa requirement to several countries and regions, including Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and Hong Kong. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is of the view that it is difficult to introduce the so-called non-visa system to a particular area inside Japan. However, we understand the eagerness of Okinawa Prefecture and the people of Okinawa to develop their tourism industry. In addition, we understand that they would like to have easier access to Okinawa Prefecture, as far as industry is concerned. Therefore, we are now seriously studying how to simplify the visa procedures. We have not yet reached a conclusion on this subject. However, I hope that in the near future, we can announce something on this subject.
Taiwanese investment in Okinawa Prefecture
Q: Taiwan has an interest in investing in Okinawa. Can you comment on this?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Basically, we welcome investment from abroad. I am afraid that many investors from abroad are not particularly interested in doing so in Japan because of high prices of land, etc. We welcome Taiwanese industry if they are seriously studying the possibility of investing in the prefecture. However, it is completely up to their counterparts as to whether or not they will receive investments from Taiwan. The Government of Japan welcomes this and has no objections.
Maintenance of U.S. forces in Japan
Q: Could you comment on Secretary of Defense Cohen's recent announcement on Japan-U.S. security issues? What is the Japanese position on this announcement regarding the maintenance of current troop levels?

Spokesman Hashimoto: You are probably referring to his interview in Honolulu. As I told you at the outset of the press conference, when Secretary of Defense Cohen met Director-General Kyuma yesterday, the two sides agreed that there is a need to maintain approximately the current level of U.S. forces in Japan, including the Marine Corps. We understand what Secretary of Defense Cohen told us is the continuation of the policy of the Clinton Administration on this subject. Tonight, Foreign Minister Ikeda will have the chance to talk to Secretary of Defense Cohen, and he will have a chance to be directly briefed by Secretary of Defense Cohen regarding what he wants to say on this subject. As far as yesterday's meeting with Director-General Kyuma is concerned, we do not see any deviation from the policy of the Clinton Administration on this particular subject.

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