Press Conference by the Press Secretary July 15, 1997

Japan's Contributions to International Organizations
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs fiscal 1997 budget for contributions to international organizations comprises approximately 58.4 billion yen allotted for assessed contributions as obligatory expenses and approximately 60.9 billion yen for voluntary contributions. However, there could be a major impact on the allotment for voluntary contributions to international organizations, in dollar terms, under the fiscal 1998 budget due to factors such as an increase in assessed contributions, depreciation of the yen, and a 10 percent cut in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. For your reference, Japan's United Nations assessed contribution rate for 1997 is 15.6 percent, but in 1998, this is expected to become around 17.4 percent, minimum. This means an annual average cut of 30 to 40 percent in yen terms, which would in fact be a 40 to 50 percent cut in U.S. dollar terms for voluntary contributions to international organizations. There is a strong possibility that we would be forced to make large reductions in our voluntary contributions to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other main international organizations. The impact of this would be severe. Japan has been seeking the balanced reform of the United Nations, namely, reform of the Security Council, reform of United Nations social and economic activities and United Nations administrative and financial reform. While Japan proceeds with administrative and financial reforms, it continues to study how to minimize the adverse effects of our budget allocations for next year on the activities of the related international organizations.
Grants and loans to Indonesia
Q: How much grant and loan money will go to Indonesia this year?

Spokesman Hashimoto: If I remember correctly, the Consultative Group of Indonesia (CGI) will be held soon. The Government of Japan is to announce this at the CGI itself. I explained already the budget limitations of the ODA for the next year. Basically, we have been thinking about trying to increase the quality of our Official Development Assistance rather than expand the volume of ODA. At the same time, the Government of Japan wants to allocate the necessary amount of ODA to the necessary fields. We would like to emphasize the importance of bilateral ODA activities, rather than our contributions to international organizations. As I explained, there are several institutions which may be hit by budget limitations. At the same time, however, there are many institutions which are active and contributing to the particular fields within their activities. Therefore, between now and the time of our budget formulations for the next year, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs would like to do its best to minimize the adverse effects of the budget allocations, not only to the important international organizations, but also to bilateral ODA. But, for the time being, we are not in a position to state the whole picture of ODA activities for the next year.
Detainment of two Republic of Korea fishermen
Q: Could you please comment on the detainment of a Korean fishing vessel?

Spokesman Hashimoto: If I remember correctly, two fishermen from the Republic of Korea are now being detained by the National Policy Agency. Are you referring to the possible release of these two fishermen?

Q: Yes, I am.

Spokesman Hashimoto: One of the fishermen has already been put through Japanese legal procedures. The case was filed yesterday and we must wait for a court decision on this matter. As far as the case of the other fisherman is concerned, the National Police Agency is still investigating this and we do not know whether or not a formal case will be filed.

Q: Will the Government of Japan continue to detain Korean fishing vessels?

Spokesman Hashimoto: If you are referring to the recent seizure of several Korean vessels and fishermen in Japanese territorial waters, we have to apply the relevant law and regulations to any foreign vessel which violates Japanese territorial waters and that fishes within Japanese territorial waters. Therefore, we hope that the Korean fishermen understand the situation and do not attempt to violate Japanese territorial waters. Other than this, we have no intentions to detain fishermen who are carrying out fishing activities outside of Japanese territorial waters.
Dispatch of Japanese aircraft to Cambodia
Q: There was a quote in this morning's paper quoting a Cambodian Government official, saying that the Japanese military planes kept on standby in Thailand would not be given permission to enter Cambodia, even if it was decided that presence there was necessary to evacuate Japanese nationals. Did the Japanese Government consult the Cambodian Government before the planes were dispatched to Thailand? Does this report come as a surprise?

Spokesman Hashimoto: This report did not come as a surprise to us. We have been in contact with the Government of Cambodia on this issue. Both Japan and the Cambodian Government share the same view that at this moment, we do not intend to send the aircraft to Cambodia to engage in the evacuations of Japanese citizens in Cambodia; the Cambodian Government understands that. We have been asking the Cambodian Government to allow the Japanese aircraft to land at Phnom Penh Airport in case of an emergency in the future, and its response, in general terms, has been positive. Therefore, we understand that what the Secretary of Information told the mass media was that it is not now necessary for any military aircraft to come to Cambodia to rescue Japanese citizens. But, in the case of an emergency, we have been informed that they are positive on this.

Q: Are you satisfied that your definition of an emergency is the same as the Cambodian Government's definition of an emergency?

Spokesman Hashimoto: For the time being, we understand that the situation in Cambodia is calming down. Therefore, we do not know how soon an emergency situation might occur in Cambodia. If it occurs, we will definitely consult the Cambodian Government and exchange views and try to create mutual understanding on the situation.

Q: Has there so far been agreement between the two Governments about what constitutes an emergency?

Spokesman Hashimoto: No, we have not consulted yet.

Q: It was argued by Ms. Doi that the Japanese Government's dispatch of Self Defense Force planes to Thailand is not legal under the amended 1994 Self Defense Law, because steps have been taken in preparation for a potential emergency in the future. Whereas it has been argued that it cannot be done in the face of an existing emergency. What is the Government's position on that?

Spokesman Hashimoto: Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said that the Government of Japan should be fully prepared for cases of emergency. Therefore, it is appropriate for the Government of Japan to send three airplanes to Thailand. The relevant law, as you correctly pointed out, is the Self Defense Force Law, Article 100-8. This article stipulates cases of emergency. It does not specifically talk about the activities of the Government of Japan at the prior preparation stage. However, the Government of Japan understands that on the basis of this article, the Government is authorized to conduct preparation activities in order to set up a transportation system for emergency situations. Therefore, our understanding of Article 100-8 is different from what Ms. Doi stated.
Indonesian national car issue
Q: Could you explain the latest position of the Government of Japan on the Indonesian national car issue?

Spokesman Hashimoto: You are probably aware that we have filed a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and asked the WTO to set up a panel. We will continue to go ahead with the procedures under the WTO framework. However, we are always ready to conduct bilateral consultations with the Indonesian Government. We do not consider this issue as an obstacle to the development of friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia. The most important thing is that we would like to solve the issue. However, we must abide by the internationally established trade rule. Therefore, although we have been asking to set up a panel in Geneva, if the Indonesian Government is ready to consult with us bilaterally, then we are certainly ready to accept the idea.

Q: What has the response been thus far from the Indonesian Government?

Spokesman Hashimoto: So far, we have not been informed of any new moves. For example, we understand that the import of cars by Indonesia has already been halted, but the Indonesian Government has not yet given us a full explanation on this matter yet.

Q: If this panel is set up, what is the position of Japan?

Spokesman Hashimoto: It takes some time to set up a panel. At the same time, it takes some time for the panelists to carry out their job. It is our hope that this issue can be solved within the established international trade framework. Therefore, we should not be too pessimistic about the outcome of the panel. We hope that the Japanese and Indonesian Governments will share the same understanding as the European Commission.
Voluntary aid contributions to United Nations organizations
Q: Regarding the cutbacks in voluntary aid contributions, you mentioned that you have been pushing for reforms in --

Spokesman Hashimoto: -- in international organizations and the United Nations, yes. We have been pushing for administrative and financial reforms.

Q: Are cutbacks at all related to any unhappiness with previous reforms?

Spokesman Hashimoto: So far, the Government of Japan has been implementing the commitment of the assessed contributions. On this basis, we have been endeavoring to increase our voluntary contributions to international institutions. However, because of the budgetary limit, we must cut voluntary contributions while we continue to allocate necessary money for assessed contributions, i.e., obligatory contributions. This does not necessarily mean that we will not say anything about the activities of the related international organizations. We will continue to ask for administrative and financial reform. At the same time, we will do our best to continue to allocate the necessary amount of money for voluntary contributions as well. But, our ODA budget itself is going to be cut by 10 percent next year. Within the limit, how to allocate the necessary amount of money to the necessary field is a big question. Between now and the time of our budgetary formation for next year, meaning December, we must talk among ourselves and finalize our idea on how much money should be allocated for international organizations and how much money should be allocated for bilateral ODA activities. In general terms, we will continue to ask the relevant international institutions to streamline their activities and streamline their budget. At the same time, we will do our best not to exert too much adverse effect on their future activities.
Situation in Cambodia
Q: A newspaper article today said that Japan is moving to recognize the new government in Cambodia. Can you comment on this?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We know that Prince Norodom Ranariddh is out of Cambodia, but, at the same time, we are not in a position to state whether or not a coup d'etat took place. What the Government of Japan has been saying thus far is that the Cambodian Government should continue to observe the Paris Peace Accords, observe the present Constitution and legal system, and conduct a free and fair general election as scheduled. On this basis, we have been asking the Cambodian Government to try to settle the fluid situation by peaceful means. At the same time, we keep saying that the coalition government in Cambodia should be maintained. To state whether or not we recognize the new government is not an issue.

Q: I have a report here which quotes Mr. Yukio Imagawa as saying that Prince Ranariddh provoked Mr. Hun Sen in a serious way by sneaking about 140 Khmer Rouge fighters into Phnom Penh. Is that an assessment that the Government shares?

Spokesman Hashimoto: As far as the Government of Japan is concerned, it is very difficult to say what has happened to the relations between the two parties -- the CPP (Cambodian People's Party) and FUNCINPEC (the National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia). However, we know that the conflict took place and we hope that both parties can overcome their present difficulties and restore the peace and, as I told you, abide by the Paris Peace Accords, etc. Therefore, it is difficult for us to provide you with an answer on how that conflict started, what was the cause, etc.

Q: Why is it difficult to say? What more information do you need?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We have been gathering information on this matter. But, at the same time, this is also related to the internal affairs of Cambodia. I am not sure whether or not the Government of Japan will make a formal comment on the cause of the conflict. Whatever the cause may be, Japan together with other countries, has helped a lot to restore peace in Cambodia. Therefore, we would like to ask the CPP and FUNCINPEC to continue the maintenance of the present coalition government, endeavor to conduct a general election as scheduled and preserve the present system.
Human rights in Cambodia
Q: Do you share the observation of some nongovernmental groups that the CPP has been violating the human rights of some FUNCINPEC members?

Spokesman Hashimoto: We are concerned about the report. Our Ambassador, Mr. Naito, had a chance to exchange views on this matter with the Cambodian Government ministers and ask the Cambodian Government to respect the human rights in Cambodia.

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