Press Conference by the Press Secretary September 9, 1997

Press conference announcements
1. Statement on Mother Teresa
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nobuaki Tanaka: At the outset, I would like to make two statements. One is concerning the passing of Mother Teresa, which was put together in a form of a statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda; it was issued as of 6 September. The statement is as follows. "Mother Teresa passed away at 13:00 on 6 September, Japan time. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences. As a nun, she devoted her life to helping the poor, the orphans and the patients of Hansen's Disease, as well as salvaging the souls of the people dying in the midst of the slums of Calcutta. She received in 1979 the Nobel Prize for Peace. I have harbored a tremendous respect for her for having shown such a devotion to the poor out of her genuine and pious mind. May she rest in peace." That is the statement by Foreign Minister Ikeda.
2. Deregulation and Competition Policy Working Group under the Japan-U.S. Framework Talks
  Spokesman Tanaka: I would like to draw your attention to one statement, a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Deregulation and Competition Policy Working Group under the Japan-U.S. Framework Talks. The First Deregulation and Competition Policy Working Group under the enhanced initiative under the Japan-U.S. Framework Talks will be held from 10-12 September at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. The enhanced initiative was agreed upon at the Japan-U.S. Summit Talks held on the occasion of the Denver Summit. Attending the meeting on the Japanese side will be Director Koji Tsuruoka of the Second North American Division as Chairman and other representatives from related ministries and agencies. In the forthcoming Working Group, two sub-groups will be established, structural issues such as competitive policy distribution and transparency issues -- both sides will discuss these matters under the principle of two-way dialogue.
Japan-China relations
Q: Concerning the visit of Prime Minister Hashimoto to China, would you say that this signifies the beginning of a new era for the relationship between the two countries?

Spokesman Tanaka: The visit of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to the People's Republic of China this time took place on the 25 anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations with China. The visit of Prime Minister Hashimoto this year marks another step toward an enhanced relationship between the two countries based on dialogue and cooperation. Prime Minister Hashimoto expressed the need for dialogue and cooperation at all levels between the two countries in his speech delivered on 5 September at the National Administration School. We believe that the visit of Prime Minister Hashimoto was a success. On substantive issues, we ironed out the basis for further cooperation between the two countries. We agreed that at least once a year either of the two sides should visit the other side at the head-of-state or government level. The visit of Premier Li Peng of the People's Republic of China scheduled for this November will be one of the concrete steps. President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China will visit Japan next year. On the security issues, we have achieved certain results in deepening the understanding of the Chinese side on the current exercise of the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. Thirdly, the cooperation on global issues includes environmental issues, which is comprised of two pillars. One is an environmental information network and another is called model city projects. We obtained basic support from the Chinese side for these projects. Just prior to Prime Minister Hashimoto's visit, Japan and China agreed, in substance, to the fishery agreement. We also reached an agreement in a substantive manner on the package which is necessary for Chinese accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). We exchanged notes on the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit -- the Japanese yen loan to China this year. All in all, these results once again highlight the importance of this visit. We believe that through this visit, the bilateral relationship is now in the process of further enhancement.
Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation
Q: The Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation, as you know, will be published in final form at the end of the month. Will there be any drastic changes in this report which differ from what was included in the Interim Report on the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation which was published last June?

Spokesman Tanaka: As you know, the Deputy's Meeting on SDC is being held today. Also, the Futenma Implementation Group Meeting takes place today. There, we are now working to finalize the report on the Japan-U.S. Guidelines for Defense Cooperation. I do not wish to delve into the details at this point, because all the elements in the Guidelines are subject to the examination of this group and later on by the SDC and the SCC prior to the 2 + 2 Meeting, which is scheduled at the end of September. The Guidelines are not finalized as yet. Having said that, certainly we have to take into account all the past developments concerning this issue, both domestically and internationally. I cannot say one way or the other which way they are heading. But certainly, we would deepen our analysis and sharpen our focus on each issue.

Q: In general terms, however, will there be changes from what was published last June?

Spokesman Tanaka: In general terms, coverage will remain the same. Basically, the thrust of the Interim Report will remain unchanged. However, what we are now doing is finalizing it in a more fine-tuned manner.
Taiwan issue
Q: I would like to ask about the dealings with the Taiwan issue at the Summit Talks in China. The Asahi Shimbun reported this morning that there were differences as to what the Chinese side reported about the substance of the discussions and what you feel Prime Minister Hashimoto actually said. Could you tell us where these differences are, especially regarding the issue of Taiwan joining the United Nations? What is your view of what Prime Minister Hashimoto actually said?

Spokesman Tanaka: Concerning Taiwan, Japan does not support the independence of Taiwan. That has been the consistent policy of Japan. Having said that, I believe that the point that you have highlighted is somewhat exaggerated. Japan and China basically see eye-to-eye on this point. What the Prime Minister Hashimoto said is that in light of the Japan-China Joint Communiqué, Taiwan being a member of United Nations is not quite logical, because the United Nations only accepts sovereign states as members. Therefore, Taiwan, not being a sovereign state in light of this Japan-China Joint Communiqué, cannot logically be a member of the United Nations. That is what Prime Minister Hashimoto wanted to underscore. The press may have misquoted what was said. I do not want to delve into the differences, because what he said is exactly what I have stated. Logically speaking, it is not conceivable that Taiwan could be a member. Whether you interpret this as a difference or not is a matter that is up to the press. But, as far as China is concerned, I do not believe they have taken this in the wrong context. It is our reading that they have taken this in the right context.

Q: Since the Japan-China Joint Communiqué was signed and announced in 1972, there has been an important change. In 1991, Taiwan renounced Chinese claims to rule over Taiwan, which changes the qualification of Taiwan in terms of international law. You need a government, a population, a territory and control of that territory. Strictly, by logical terms of international law, they are very well an independent state. So, actually there has been a change since 1972.

Spokesman Tanaka: That is your interpretation.

Q: Yes, that is right, but it is not a matter of logic, I think.

Spokesman Tanaka: What I said is that United Nations membership is open only to sovereign states. And sovereign states in our view cannot include Taiwan, because of our position on Taiwan, which is based on the Japan-China Joint Communiqué.

Q: So, you do not see any change since 1972.

Spokesman Tanaka: No, we are very proud of being consistent.

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