Press Conference by the Press Secretary 11 April 1997

Japan-U.S. Partnerships on Environmental Awareness and Education
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: I would like to make an announcement regarding a joint Japan-U.S. workshop entitled, Japan-U.S. Partnerships on Environmental Awareness and Education. We see this year, the year 1997, as a year of environmental diplomacy. In June, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the Environment and Development will be held. Later in the year, in December, the conference of the contracting parties of the Climate Change Convention will be held in Kyoto. We consider promoting environmental education essential to the protection of the environment on a global scale. Support for the further expansion of the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program was decided at the time of the recent visit to Tokyo by Vice President Albert Gore of the United States. On 14 and 15 April, the Japan-U.S. Partnerships on Environmental Awareness and Education Workshop, with the support of the agencies of the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States, will be hosted by the Common Agenda Roundtable, which is a group of leaders from the private sector set up in February last year to assist and promote the Common Agenda process by rendering advice to the Government of Japan. At this workshop, people from both the public and private sectors, NGOs and educators will get together and issue a proposal on what sort of future cooperation, particularly for environmental education in developing countries, can be promoted within the framework of the Common Agenda by utilizing the respective strengths that the United States and Japan have in this area. All of the sessions of the workshop will be open to the press. A press conference on the outcome of the workshop, including the announcement of the proposal, is scheduled on 15 April from 17:00 at the Foreign Press Center. So, I hope you will cover both the Roundtable and the press conference. The details of this Roundtable are available to you in the fact sheets that we have given out.
Appointment of the United States Ambassador to Japan
Q: As early as next week, Tom Foley of the United States will be nominated Ambassador to Japan. How do you think this will affect the current relationship between the United States and Japan?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: We are not aware of Mr. Foley's appointment as the United States Ambassador to Japan.
Food aid to North Korea
Q: According to aid agencies and the report of United States Congressman Tony Hall, who visited North Korea, the situation in North Korea is bordering on widespread famine. Why is Japan holding back food assistance?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: Let me explain where matters stand at this moment. On 7 April, the United Nations issued a consolidated appeal regarding humanitarian assistance to North Korea. We are fully aware of the humanitarian aspect of this issue. In the days to come, we will be looking at the contents of this consolidated appeal. We will consider the matter carefully, taking into account various factors, and will make a decision on this matter on the basis of such overall considerations.

Q: While you are considering this matter, women and children are dying. Are you not concerned that you will be viewed by the international community as callous and insensitive to the hardship and ordeal of those people, especially because Japan has a rice surplus which has steadily accumulated and is known of by the international community?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: We are mindful and fully aware of the humanitarian aspect of this issue. We are looking at the humanitarian appeal issued by the United Nations.

Q: I have one more question. Regarding the Niigata girl who was allegedly taken to North Korea, is this the reason why Japan is still considering approving sending food aid to North Korea?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: As I said previously in answer to your question, we are looking at the United Nations appeal and we are taking various factors into account. One of the factors is the sentiments of the Japanese people -- the way people feel about the issue of the suspected kidnapping of the young girl in Niigata. In making a decision on food assistance, this is one of the elements that the Government of Japan needs to take into account. Although there is no direct linkage between the two issues, we have to take into account how the Japanese people feel about this issue.
North Korean security issues
Q: Is the Japanese Government aware of the fact that North Korea is preparing to test-fire missiles?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: We are making efforts to gather information on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, including the military aspect. However, I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics of what we are doing.

Q: Are you at all alarmed about the most recent reports saying that missiles have been moved to the eastern part of the border of North Korea in striking range of Japan? Is that something that the Government is aware of?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: We have been making efforts to gather information on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, including the military aspect. I will not go into further details, except to say that we will be keeping a close eye on the situation there.

Q: North Korea has been demanding an apology for the recent shots fired across the border during Defense Secretary Cohen's visit. Also, General Shalikashvili is visiting Japan and has reported that North Korea has intensified its training flights and remains a military threat despite being close to collapse. Does Japan agree with this? How serious of a threat does Japan consider North Korea?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: We have seen media reports on a statement made here in Tokyo by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili of the United States. However, we do not know where the statement was made or what exactly he said. Therefore, I will have to refrain from commenting directly on what he is reported to have said. North Korea still deploys two-thirds of its ground forces near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and is making efforts to maintain the readiness of its forces.

Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to keep a close eye on the activities of the North Korean military.
Visit of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili of the United States to Japan
Q: Regarding General Shalikashvili's visit to Japan, at the meeting today with Foreign Minister Ikeda, was there any discussion about North Korea?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: North Korea was not discussed.

Q: What were the topics of discussion?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: They discussed the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements. Let me give you the gist of what was discussed. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda told General Shalikashvili that he was extremely pleased that progress in many areas was being made in the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements in accordance with the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security, announced last year. He referred to a number of tasks that the two sides needed to address. He referred to the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) and also the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. He sought the continued cooperation of the United States side. General Shalikashvili reaffirmed the commitment of the United States forces to the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements and its commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. He said the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements were playing a very important role in ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. Regarding United States forces, he said that it was appropriate to maintain United States military presence in the Asia-Pacific at the current level. They discussed a number of other things, but they all have to do with the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements.
Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation
Q: Regarding the review of the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines, could you define the area in which the review will cover?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: Let me summarize what this exercise is all about -- I am referring to the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. The basic purpose of the Guidelines review is as follows. This review is being conducted to achieve a more effective relationship for Japan-U.S. defense cooperation in a new era on the basis of the New National Defense Program Outline that the Japanese Defense Program announced in 1995 and the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security, which was announced at the time of the visit to Japan by President William Clinton of the United States in April of last year. This review builds upon existing bilateral defense cooperation achieved under the existing Guidelines. The goals of this review are as follows. The first goal is to provide a transparent outline of bilateral defense cooperation in a new era, taking into account many changes in the security environment such as the Asia-Pacific region. The second goal is to provide a general framework and policy direction in order to facilitate and promote a variety of bilateral programs, e.g., joint studies for building the basis of more effective cooperation. The review is proceeding in accordance with the following three principles: 1) the review will not change the obligations under the Japan-U.S. Treaty on Mutual Cooperation and Security or related arrangements; 2) it will not change the fundamental framework of the Japan-U.S. security alliance; and 3) it will be conducted within the framework of the Japanese Constitution. Now, let me go on to the scope of the study and cooperation. Firstly, we will be looking at cooperation under normal situations. Secondly, we will be looking at actions in response to an armed attack against Japan, including imminent armed attack. Thirdly, cooperation in situations that may emerge in areas surrounding Japan and that will have an important influence on Japan's peace and security will be taken up. The term, "areas surrounding Japan," is the same as the concept, "areas surrounding our country," used in the New National Defense Program Outline announced in 1995. For your information, the term, "areas surrounding our country," refers to a geographic area where Japan's defense efforts and the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements have a stabilizing effect in the international community. The area can vary according to the international situation prevailing at the time. Therefore, we cannot delineate the outer limits of this area.

Q: I would like to confirm one thing. A newspaper reported that Prime Minister Hashimoto said that the areas of Taiwan and the Spratly Islands will be covered under the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. Is this true?

Spokesman Shimanouchi: I believe that this newspaper report that you are referring to mentioned that this meeting was held between the Prime Minister and members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Government officials, however, were not in that meeting. Therefore, there is no way we can comment on what was discussed in this meeting. I already answered this question previously when I spoke of the scope of the Guidelines review, and I think I have answered it in considerable detail.

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