Press Conference by the Press Secretary June 10, 1997

1. Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation
2. Briefing in Beijing on the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation
3. Theater Missile Defense (TMD)

1. Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Some journalists based in Tokyo have already reported on the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. However, I have unfortunately located one news report which does not necessarily reflect the nature of the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. Therefore, I would like to explain the nature of the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation once again. This review aims to create effective defense cooperation ties appropriate for a new era. The Japan-U.S. security alliance has an important role in maintaining the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. It is not directed at any particular country. The Review will make no changes to rights and obligations under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty or to the basic framework of the Japan-U.S. security alliance. Japan's actions will be conducted within the limitations of the Constitution and in accordance with such basic positions as the maintenance of its exclusively defense-oriented policy and its three non-nuclear principles. The objective of the Interim Report is to provide a basis for domestic discussion and to promote understanding at home and abroad. Handling of this will be decided through further consideration in both countries of political, legal and other aspects. The new Guidelines will provide guidance for the joint consideration of defense cooperation which will be conducted by the relevant persons from Japan and the United States after the fall announcement. The Guidelines will not be a legally binding document and will not impose any obligation on either Government. At the same time, both Governments are expected, on the basis of their own judgment, to reflect the results of joint consideration work appropriately in concrete policies and measures.

2. Briefing in Beijing on the Interim Report on the Review of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation

   Q: There is concern from the Chinese side regarding the Japan-U.S. Guidelines on Defense Cooperation. Could you please explain how the Chinese Government has reacted so far? And, what has the Japanese Government done to explain the Guidelines document to the Chinese Government?

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: On 9 June in Beijing, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a senior official of the Japan Defense Agency briefed their counterparts on the Interim Report. The Chinese side expressed its gratitude to those gentlemen visiting Beijing for the explanation of the nature and content of the Interim Report, and appreciated this effort by the Japanese side as a sign of sincerity by the Government of Japan. At the same time, the Chinese side stated that the transparency of the Interim Report has been heightened. Both sides share the opinion that, in the future, they will exchange views on this subject where appropriate and necessary. We consider that our briefing on the Interim Report has been fruitful, but it does not necessarily mean that the Government of the People's Republic of China has supported or endorsed the report itself. In the future, Japan will further endeavor to make the Government of China understand the nature of the report, especially in the sense that, as I told you at the outset, the Review will make no changes to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty or the Japan-U.S. security alliance.

3. Theater Missile Defense (TMD)

   [The following question was followed up on from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference of 6 June 1997. The question was, "Regarding the Japan-U.S. security alliance, there is currently much discussion over Japan providing United States troops with ballistic weapons, etc. I think that this is in conflict with the Japanese Constitution? Would this only happen in the state of an emergency?"]

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: After reading the record of questions from the previous press conference and the question that you raised, I realized that you asked about the possible introduction of Theater Missile Defense (TMD) to Japan and not the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation, so probably my answer to you at that time was not appropriate. As for TMD, we are still studying the technical aspects of this concept. In the future, the Government of Japan will have to eventually decide whether we will introduce this concept at the political level, but we have not yet reached that stage and we are currently carrying out technical considerations and gathering information on the experts side. The Government of Japan has not decided anything on this issue yet.