Press Conference by the Press Secretary April 22, 1997

Participation of the Russian Federation in the G-7 process
Q: What is Japan's present position for enlarging and enhancing the participation of the Russian Federation in the Summit?

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: When President William Clinton of the United States of America met President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation, President Clinton explained that the Russian President will be invited to the Denver Summit and that it will be called the Summit of G-8. We understand that President Yeltsin will participate in the talks with the Heads of State from G-7 governments when they talk about political matters and global issues. At the same time, we need to have the opportunity to continue to talk on some specific economic issues such as the international economy and monetary affairs, etc., among the G-7 countries. There is a consensus that those topics will continue to be discussed among the G-7 countries in Denver. Once again, the Heads of State and the governments of eight countries will talk on political issues and global issues. At the same, G-7 members will continue to talk on economic and monetary issues.

Q: You said that specific economic subjects will be discussed among seven countries. So, this is a very special kind of Summit of G-8. What is the basic reason for Japan's opposition for a real Summit of G-8? Does Japan think that Russia is a totally different kind of economic animal and not a highly-developed industrialized country which could participate in these discussions? Or, is the reason that there are still territorial problems?

Spokesman Hashimoto: This has nothing to do with political issues. It is purely related to economic considerations. The Russian Federation is still in the process of reforming its economic structure. We hope that Russia will complete reform efforts so that Russia can be fully integrated into the international economic order. So far, the Russian Federation must realize many things before it can be fully integrated into the order. There are certain issues, for example, monetary matters, or the so-called north-south issues such as extending aid to developing countries, and so on. Those traditional economic issues should be discussed among the appropriate countries. In this sense, we still need to have the opportunity to talk among the G-7 countries. But, we are very happy to talk on the international political issues, or so-called global issues. Regarding the territorial issue, however, we would naturally like to solve this issue as soon as possible. We are ready to resume efforts to quickly solve this issue if the Russian side is ready to turn all those northern islands over to Japan.
Consultations in New York on four-party talks
Q: What is the official analysis of suspension of these talks in New York with North Korea?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Regarding the consultations among the United States, the Republic of Korea and North Korea on the so-called four-party talks, the Government of Japan supports this idea and believes that this meeting will surely contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. However, we must further clarify the real reason for the suspension in New York among the three parties on this question. The Government of Japan hopes that the three parties will continue to make utmost efforts to realize this idea in the future.
Investigation of a North Korean ship
Q: What is the present analysis of the investigation of the North Korean ship and the contents of this ship?

Spokesman Hashimoto: The Japanese National Police Agency is now investigating the case, and the investigation is not over. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not presently in a position to make a comment on the content of the investigation. Is it correct that you are talking about the alleged illegal import of narcotics?

Q: Yes, and any other things that were found on the ship.

Spokesman Hashimoto: The National Police Agency is now investigating this and they have not completed the investigation. Therefore, this is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not in a position to make any comment on the investigation.
Topics of discussion at the upcoming Japan-United States Summit Meeting
Q: In the handout you distributed, what kind of issues exactly are going to be included in "economic issues" listed here at the forthcoming Japan-United States meeting?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Since this is a summit meeting, both Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and President Clinton enjoy full freedom to talk on this subject. Therefore, I can just outline possible subjects which may be touched on. Japan and the United States have been enjoying multi-faceted relations, and economic and trade relations are one of the most important relations between the two countries. After solving various outstanding issues, both the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States are confident that trade issues can now be kept under control. We have no intention to politicize issues while the United States is enjoying good economic development growth and while Japan has been in a difficult situation. While having various economic difficulties, Japan has been endeavoring to restructure its own economy and is still in this process. On the basis of this, Japan's trade surplus, in general, has started to decline. But, because of the recent depreciation in the yen, we understand that some people in the United States have begun to worry about the trend of Japan's trade surplus. This issue may be raised by the United States side, but we do not know. The Government of Japan says that in the medium and long term, while the restructuring of the economy is in process, the United States side should not worry about the surge in the trade surplus over the long term. We are happy to exchange views on this. I do not believe that those two leaders will negotiate on any specific economic and trade issues. But at the same time, we will not exclude the possibility that those two leaders will exchange views on certain specific issues. This is completely up to them.

Q: Regarding security, given that Prime Minister Hashimoto has been able to pass the bill for the extension of the leases, will there be any certain issues that will be brought up?

Spokesman Hashimoto: It is very important for the Government of Japan to maintain the Japan-U.S. security alliance. Both the central Government of Japan and the Clinton Administration clearly know that it cannot be realized without getting the full support of the people of Japan, especially from the Okinawans who must live with many United States bases located in Okinawa. Therefore, we must remain sensitive to the sentiments of the local people. Furthermore, I believe that the two leaders will, therefore, reaffirm the importance of the security alliance, which is in line with the Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security, which was signed last year when President Clinton visited Japan. But at the same time, I am sure that those two statesmen will reflect great sympathy for the people of Okinawa and will try to get their support on the security alliance. I do not believe that the leaders will discuss the bases issue in great detail. For Japan, it is very important to reaffirm the importance of the bilateral relations between Japan and the United States. At the same time, I am sure that the two leaders will reaffirm the importance of cooperation on other economic and political issues which are related to so-called global issues.

Q: Are they going to discuss Peru?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We cannot exclude this possibility, because we have been keeping the United States side informed about the incident. I am sure they will exchange views on this. Both Japan and the United States have been supporting the efforts by President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru on this issue to try to solve this incident peacefully and quickly.
Departure time for the visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to the United States
Q: Exactly what time will Prime Minister Hashimoto leave for the United States?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Prime Minister Hashimoto will leave Japan on 24 April in the evening. Unfortunately, the exact time of the departure cannot be openly discussed.
Japan-United States joint ballistic missile defense (BMD) research
Q: Regarding the Japan-U.S. security alliance, what is the present state of the ballistic missile defense (BMD) project between the two countries?

Spokesman Hashimoto: The experts of the two Governments have been studying this concept mainly from a technical point of view, because in the future, the Government of Japan will have to decide whether or not we will accept this idea on a political basis. In order to do so, we must collect necessary information, and we must understand the concept clearly. So far, the United States side has been very helpful. This process is still going on. We do not know when we can actually finish the stage of the technical study of this concept, but we hope this can be done before the upcoming so-called 2+2 Meeting sometime this year.
Chinese research vessel in Japanese territorial waters
Q: Do you have any comment on a Chinese research ship that is engaging in research activities around Miyako Island and the Senkaku Islands? Will the Government of Japan take any action regarding this matter?

Spokesman Hashimoto: A Japanese Maritime Safety Agency patrol boat spotted a Chinese research vessel on 16 April near Miyako Island. On 17 April, this patrol boat once again witnessed that this Chinese vessel was engaged in research activities in the sea 50 nautical miles from Miyako Island. On the basis of this, on 17 April, in Tokyo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified the purpose of the activities of the research vessels with the Chinese Embassy. We notified them and said that we cannot approve of the conducting of research activities in that area and we asked them to stop if they are actually carrying out these types of research activities. The Chinese Embassy promised us to report this to the Government of the People's Republic of China. On 20 April, the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency again spotted the same ship navigating inside the territorial waters of Japan surrounding the Senkaku Islands. On 18 April, in Beijing, the Foreign Ministry of China informed the Japanese Embassy in Beijing that the Chinese vessel is only navigating in that area and is not engaged in any maritime research activities. However, on 18 April, we spotted this vessel navigating inside Japanese territorial waters. Knowing that this vessel is still in the Japanese exclusive economic zone, we intend to inform the Chinese side of the continued activities of the Chinese vessel.

Q: Could you clarify the position of this vessel? Was it north or south of the islands?

Spokesman Hashimoto: On 17 April, this vessel was positioned southeast of Miyako Island. We spotted this ship engaged in maritime research activities. This position was only 50 nautical miles from Miyako Island.

Q: Does Japan believe the response from China that this ship was simply carrying out navigation?

Spokesman Hashimoto: According to the report from the Maritime Safety Agency, we suspect that the Chinese research vessel is engaged in maritime research activities. On 18 April, we were informed by the Chinese side that this vessel has not engaged in research activities. However, on 20 April, this ship once again passed inside Japanese territorial waters. We now intend to once again contact the Chinese side for classification of the activities of this vessel.

Q: So another dispute is brewing up over the Senkaku Islands?

Spokesman Hashimoto: I do not know whether or not you could call this a dispute. In any case, the Senkaku Islands belong to Japan and are an integral part of Japanese territory. We hope that the Chinese side understands this and will take appropriate measures. At the same time, we hope that the Chinese side will always take a cautious approach to this kind of issue. We do not want to politicize this incident.

Q: Surely, an incident such as this can be seen as geopolitical friction between the two countries? Spokesman Hashimoto: If the Chinese side has a different understanding regarding this, we ask them to approach this issue with restraint.
Arrival of Hwang Jang Yop in Seoul
Q: Hwang Jang Yop has arrived in Seoul. Does the Government of Japan expect that the Government of the Republic of Korea can share information that he might provide?

Spokesman Hashimoto: First of all, Mr. Hwang Jang Yop's arrival in Seoul has been realized because the countries concerned took a very careful response on this issue in line with international practices. We hope that his arrival in Seoul will not change the situation. This is an incident which has taken place in a third country. Japan basically does not want to make any comment on this. We are just carefully watching the situation.

Q: This is an affair which took place in a third country. However, North Korea does have a lot of questionable practices vis-a-vis Japan, including the alleged abduction of the school girl. Obviously, it is very natural that the Japanese Government formally or informally seek some kind of shared information with the Republic of Korea. Is this not true?

Spokesman Hashimoto: If you are talking about the alleged kidnapping case, the Government of Japan, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been endeavoring to collect all possible information from various sources. As far as Mr. Hwang Jang Yop's arrival in Seoul is concerned, basically Japan wants to maintain the formal position that this is a case that is being dealt with by the countries concerned.
Visit of Director-General Fumio Kyuma of the Defense Agency to the Republic of Korea
Q: Early next week, Director-General of Defense Kyuma is visiting Seoul. Would you say that the Hwang Jang Yop issue is one of the subjects that Director-General Kyuma will discuss with his counterpart in Seoul?

Spokesman Hashimoto: I have not been informed by my colleagues at the Defense Agency on the possible subject of talks between the two defense ministers. However, I personally think that Director-General Fumio Kyuma of the Defense Agency will not talk about Mr. Hwang Jang Yop's case with his counterpart.
Food aid to North Korea
Q: What is Japan's present position on food aid to North Korea?

Spokesman Hashimoto: The Government of Japan intends to make a comprehensive decision on food assistance to North Korea after giving careful consideration to various factors. It has long been apparent that North Korea is facing a difficult situation, primarily concerning food supplies and energy and it is thought that North Korea's difficulties will grow in the future. There is various information about this situation of the food supply in North Korea, and Japan believes that it must watch the situation closely. However, I repeat that Japan must consider various factors. When I say "various" factors, this includes the alleged kidnapping case which you mentioned. Overall, we are approaching this issue in a comprehensive manner.

Q: I find it curious that Japan is not sending food to North Korea, given indications that tens of thousands of people are dying. Two years ago, Japan sent 500,000 tons -- the largest single donation ever. These kidnapping cases have been around for years. North Korea broke off normalization talks with Japan in 1992 when the subject was issued. Why, two years ago, did these kidnappings not prevent Japan from sending 500,000 tons of rice? Now, the situation is much more severe and Japan is not able to help.

Spokesman Hashimoto: Our foreign policy, like the United States foreign policy, must be supported by its people. In this sense, the Government of Japan must always respect the sentiments of the Japanese people. Two years ago, even last year, bilaterally or through international aid organizations, emergency aid was given to North Korea. But, at the same time, last year, for example, although there were rumors about the possible kidnapping of Ms. Megumi Yokota, that issue was not raised very much in public. However, once the Japanese people starting having doubts about whether that young girl or other Japanese women might have been really kidnapped by North Korea, -- we do not know if that was the case or not -- the people became very concerned. The Government of Japan must take into account the sentiments of these people. Japanese people are wondering why we should extend emergency aid to a country where we have some outstanding cases of alleged kidnappings.
North Korea issues
Q: Some people have suggested that there is a connection between this new information about Megumi Yokota and Hwang Jang Yop's defection? Is there any indication of a connection?

Spokesman Hashimoto: As far as Japan is concerned, we do not know of any connections between these two cases.

Q: I am referring to the timing of the release of the information on Megumi Yokota. It happened when Hwang Jang Yop was in Tokyo, did it not?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Yes, this is true as far as the timing is concerned. However, we do not know of any connections between these two cases.

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