Press Conference by the Press Secretary September 5, 1997

Press conference announcements
1. United States sanctions
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nobuaki Tanaka: Early this morning Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda made a statement concerning the unilateral sanctions of the Federal Maritime Commission of the United States. On 4 September, United States Eastern Standard Time, the Federal Maritime Commission brought into effect unilateral sanctions, levying a per voyage fee of US$100,000 each time a liner or vessel owned or operated by the three Japanese carriers enters a U.S. port from abroad based on the allegation that the prior consultation system in Japan creates conditions unfavorable to the U.S. carriers engaged in Japan-U.S. trade. The parties concerned have made vigorous efforts to improve the prior consultation system through the rounds of discussions organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Transport with the recognition that sound and vibrant development of ports is an important task for Japan itself. The Government of Japan cannot but express a sense of concern because the implementation of the Federal Maritime Commission's unilateral sanctions might seriously undermine these efforts and delay and frustrate the resolution of real problems which may have detrimental effects on the Japan-U.S. economic relationship. In light of the foregoing the Government of Japan requests the United States Government to immediately withdraw the unilateral sanctions by the Federal Maritime Commission. Early this morning, we have already made this representation to the Government of the U.S.
2. Terrorist bombing in Jerusalem
  Spokesman Tanaka: Japan learnt with indignation and great sorrow of the news that on 4 September in the middle of a busy street in Jerusalem, there were terrorist bomb explosions. Japan expresses its sincere condolences to the State of Israel as well as to the bereaved families for the loss of life and also expresses its sympathy to those who are injured. Terrorism cannot be justified in any sense and can solve nothing. The world must stand up to fight against such a foul deed. Japan hopes that those involved in the peace process should not succumb to such terrorist pressures and should strengthen further the security measures. Japan also hopes that they continue with courage those sincere efforts in pursuit of peace in the future.
3. Funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales
  Spokesman Tanaka: On the funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales, Japan will instruct His Excellency Hiroaki Fujii, The Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom to attend the funeral and to express the deepest sympathy and sincere condolences of our people to Her Majesty The Queen and other members of The Royal Family, in particular, to the two young princes and the Government and the people of the United Kingdom.
U.S. sanctions
Q: Regarding the port issue, will Japan plan to set up government-to- government talks?

Spokesman Tanaka: I think you meant to ask whether we would like to initiate a consultation based on the Japan-U.S. Friendship Treaty. Is that correct? I did not quite understand your question as we have already been engaged in the government-to-government negotiation on this.

Q: Do you have any plan that officials of the Government of Japan will meet with them?

Spokesman Tanaka: We have already, as I said, through the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, been engaged in a series of consultations and negotiations with our U.S. counterparts during this time. These contacts have already been made.

Q: Does the Government of Japan have any plan to appeal to the WTO or other trade organization?

Spokesman Tanaka: If what you asked was whether or not we would like to ask for a consultation based on the Japan-U.S. Friendship Treaty, particularly Article 24, then my answer is that we are now examining that possibility.

Q: To kind of re-phrase that question and perhaps expand it, there has been some talk about whether Japan would impose its own retaliation sanctions or take this dispute to a higher level, either between the two governments or another intermediary negotiating party. What does Japan plan to do in response now?

Spokesman Tanaka: It is too premature to say that we would like to do something else. We have been engaged in consultation with the U.S. side, in fact we are engaged even at this moment, in order to avert the negative effects of these sanctions. It is our understanding that we have a little bit more time before the liners are actually forced to pay. That will come at the middle of October. Actual calculations of levy for the sanctions will commence upon the arrival of the ships and perhaps that will come as early as today, but in fact the actual payment may be collected at a later stage. It is our understanding that it only takes place in the middle of October. Having said that, we would like to see these questions resolved through consultation. We are engaged in consultation at this moment, so if there is a successful conclusion to that consultation, then we would like to see if possible that things would be automatically solved. In other words, we hope that the U.S. will withdraw these sanctions.

Q: As of right now is there any consideration of retaliation?

Spokesman Tanaka: No, but we would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible, even if the actual sanctions start now. We are confident that some kind of successful conclusion can be arrived at.
Attempted landing on the Senkaku Islands
Q: About the Senkaku Islands, as you know a group of lawmakers tried to reach the islands and they were stopped by the Maritime Safety Agency. My question is why were they stopped, since, for the first time, the people who tried to reach the islands were Japanese nationals? Does this mean a change in policy for the Japanese Government?

Spokesman Tanaka: At the outset, I would like to say that the Senkaku Islands have remained and will remain a part of Japanese territory and that is quite apparent, historically as well as in terms of international law. As well as that, Japan effectively controls those islands. Secondly, it is our hope that these incidents should not lead to the deterioration of our relationship with neighboring countries and regions. In fact, regarding the past incidents, Japan has taken the utmost restraint in its approach to these questions. We have been appealing to those people, be they Japanese or foreigners, to abide by the rules and regulations in force in Japan. There has been an instruction to the authorities concerned that those who attempt to land on the Senkaku Islands should be strictly dealt with in accordance with these rules and regulations. Today, the vessel that Mr. Nishimura, a Member of Parliament, was aboard, is in fact a vessel that, legally-speaking cannot travel beyond 20 nautical miles from the coast of Japan. Therefore, the Maritime Safety Agency requested this vessel not to travel beyond this legally-stipulated boundary of 20 nautical miles. It is our understanding that they obeyed these rules. At the moment, I do not have on hand the exact details of the rules and regulations concerning the limiting of the travel of this type of vessel, but the Maritime Safety Agency stopped this vessel in accordance with a particular law within those rules and regulations.

Q: So it is strictly because of the regulation that the vessel was stopped. It has nothing to do with politics or the fact that Prime Minister Hashimoto is in China so he does not want to offend anybody over there.

Spokesman Tanaka: That is your interpretation, but in fact we have strictly enforced our laws, that is all.

Q: You mentioned in your previous response that the people that travel down to the islands will be "strictly dealt with." This is the first I have heard of such things. Can you just explain to us what measures will be put in place for people like the parliamentarian who was unsuccessful in trying to get down there?

Spokesman Tanaka: I suppose that you are recalling the cases of similar incidents which took place several months ago and how we dealt with those parliamentarians. Is that correct?

Q: Yes, and in this case yesterday. What would be the likely penalty for these people?

Spokesman Tanaka: I do not have any information regarding the penalty for violating that particular law, but in the case of the past incidents in which Mr. Nishimura attempted to land on Senkaku Islands, the case is currently under examination. I do not recall whether we have concluded that one way or the other or whether we have taken some legal measures against him. However, we made it clear to those people last time that the owners of the islands do not wish to see those people land on the islands. So, respecting the owners' wishes, we appeal to those people not to attempt any landing contrary to the owners' wishes. As far as the legal implications are concerned I do not recall if we have concluded this one way or the other.

Q: So, using the term "strictly dealing with," does that mean they are likely to be charged with trespassing? I do not understand when you use those words exactly what it all means to these people.

Spokesman Tanaka: In fact, the Maritime Safety Agency took measures, for example, to examine the cases and these people. Of course, we have to listen to their cases, but as I said I do not recall any conclusion one way or the other.

Q: And the same would apply to the nationalists who have erected the lighthouse?

Spokesman Tanaka: I do not really have any material regarding the lighthouse, but if there is any violation of any laws then we will certainly strictly enforce those laws.

Q: I am sorry, I am just a little confused. I had in the past assumed and had been told so, that it was legal for Japanese citizens to go into Japanese territory, but it is not for foreigners to enter.

Spokesman Tanaka: Yes, but in this case, there is a specific law concerning the mileage a specific vessel can travel and in this sense, they cannot travel beyond 20 nautical miles from the coast.

Q: With this attempted landing on the Senkaku Islands in relation to Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to China, do you describe that incident down in the islands as "untimely"?

Spokesman Tanaka: I believe that certainly, this kind of incident is not welcome. In fact, it is not welcome any time and of course, if a friendly visit is being undertaken simultaneously it is more than unwelcome. However, it is unwelcome any time.
Final report of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation
Q: I refer to the Final report of the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation. I wonder if Japan has to make some kind of compromise in order to make China more comfortable towards this?

Spokesman Tanaka: I do not understand your using of the word "compromise." This surrounding area situation as stipulated in the defense guidelines is a notion which is situational rather than geographical. It has been stated many times and we remain unchanged on this point. In the visits of Prime Minister Hashimoto to China, you may have received the briefing of the meeting between Prime Minister Hashimoto and Premier Li Peng. They discussed this issue extensively. If you would like, I can capitulate some of the points, but I understand you have these details.

Q: I understand the final report will be issued on 23rd or 24th. Are you going to have any briefing in advance of that or is there any chance for us to know the contents in advance?

Spokesman Tanaka: I do not believe that there could be an official briefing in advance because we are going to conclude this report at the 2+2 meeting, which is scheduled for the end of this month, but the exact date of that meeting has yet to be finalized. Before that, I doubt that we can give you any briefing or provide you with an advance copy, but to aid the journalists' understanding of this report, we will see what we can provide. It is a complicated issue and we would like to provide comprehensive information for the journalists.

Q: The Japanese newspapers on 2 September wrote about the final six points of the final report and are there any changes to that?

Spokesman Tanaka: We cannot comment on the actual content of what we are preparing right now. We certainly reflect by ourselves on the contents of this issue. Since the publication of the mid-term report there have been lots of developments and at that time some of the notions remain vague and have to be finalized but we certainly nailed down all these things. We cannot give you the exact details on how we would finalize this document, but certainly before the 2+2 meeting we will see what we can do about the briefing in order to help you to understand these guidelines.
Issue of Japanese wives in North Korea
Q: About the Japanese wives in North Korea, do you have any idea when Japanese wives can really come back to Japan?

Spokesman Tanaka: I cannot comment on that because the committee formed by the Japanese Red Cross and the North Korean Red Cross are going to meet on 6th and they are going to discuss all these things in detail. It is in that forum that the details of the modalities will be finalized and I do not have any advance knowledge about how they will be finalized.
Visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to the People's Republic of China
Q: What is your assessment of Prime Minister Hashimoto's view of China so far and on Saturday, tomorrow, he is expected to attend a museum in Shenyang. Is he expected to make any specific comments?

Spokesman Tanaka: I cannot make a remark about future occurrences, but as far as the events which have taken place so far, I believe that Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit to China has turned out to be very successful and the two leaders really talked extensively about how to strengthen dialogue and operation between the two countries. As Prime Minister Hashimoto mentioned in his speech, Japan and China need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on all fronts, be they high-level talks, political relationships, security, culture as well as within the regional framework. They talked extensively about how they would conduct this future cooperation between the two countries. The meeting was very successful and we are satisfied with that.
Upcoming election of the Liberal Democratic Party
Q: With the upcoming election within the LDP and the expected cabinet reshuffle, do these political events effect foreign policies?

Spokesman Tanaka: I cannot comment on that.

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