Press Conference by the Press Secretary April 24, 1998

1. Announcement by the Cabinet of Economic Stimulus Package
2. Release of the 1998 Diplomatic Bluebook of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
3. Fisheries negotiations between the Republic of Korea and Japan
4. Schedule of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
5. Release of United States Congressional Report
6. Security exchanges between Japan and the Russian Federation
7. Proposal by Prime Minister Hashimoto to President Yeltsin

1. Announcement by the Cabinet of Economic Stimulus Package

   We expect that the new Economic Stimulus Package will be announced this evening. We have handed out copies of the announcement by the Ministry of Finance which invites members of the foreign press corps to attend a briefing by Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs Eisuke Sakakibara on the economic package. The briefing is scheduled to take place at 21:30 at the Ministry of Finance, but the time is still subject to change -- it is still tentative. The Ministry of Finance would appreciate it very much if you would not bring cameras to the briefing. If you are interested in attending, please inform the Ministry of Finance by 17:00 this afternoon.

2. Release of the 1998 Diplomatic Bluebook of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

   The 1998 Diplomatic Bluebook was released this morning after the Cabinet Meeting. I believe that most of you are familiar with our Diplomatic Bluebook, which is an annual publication. I think you are aware that the Diplomatic Bluebook is a record of the international situation and Japanese diplomatic activities in the previous year. It is not intended to put forward new policies or initiatives. This year's Bluebook covers the period from January to December of 1997. The Bluebook consists of two volumes: volume I, which was released this morning, has five chapters. Chapter I gives an overview of developments in the international community in 1997 and of Japan's diplomatic activities during that year. Chapter II analyzes sector by sector or issue by issue the international situation and Japans's foreign policy. Chapter III looks at regional developments. Chapter IV deals with cultural exchanges and public relations. Chapter V examines the functions of the Foreign Ministry and the need to strengthen these functions. This year's Bluebook refers to two trends as the main characteristics of the international situation in 1997. On the positive side, it mentions new trends in the creation of an international order toward the 21st century. It mentions specifically the positive diplomatic interaction among Japan, the United States of America, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, as well as the progress made in European integration. It also discusses new problems and new challenges such as the new challenges brought about by globalization and the Asian economic crisis, in particular. It also talks about the growing number of global issues such as threats to the environment, terrorism, transnational organized crime and antipersonnel landmines. With regard to Japan's foreign policy, the Blue Book examines new developments in terms of Japanese foreign policy in the context of the new trends and developments that I have just mentioned. It discusses the progress made in the bilateral relations between Japan and the United States, China and Russia and also talks about the new approach of "Eurasian diplomacy." It also mentions Japan's response to the Asian economic crisis and its approaches to global issues such as the environment, terrorism and antipersonnel landmines. At present, we only have available the Japanese version. The English version will come out some time this summer. If you are interested in the Japanese version, please let us know. We have copies available for you.

3. Fisheries negotiations between the Republic of Korea and Japan

   Q: From 29 through 30 April, the Republic of Korea and Japan will reopen its fisheries talks. It was recently reported in a Japanese paper that the Japanese Foreign Ministry will try to concentrate on issues of conservation of fisheries resources and those kinds of matters, rather than hitting the hard issue of the tentative zone around Dok-do Island, which the Japanese call Takeshima Island. Would you confirm such a plan on the part of the Japanese Foreign Ministry?

   A: I think you are well aware that the talks will start on 29 April, in keeping with the agreement reached by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Japan at the time of Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Obuchi's visit to Seoul in March. We would like to make positive efforts to conclude a new fisheries agreement as soon as possible in the context of our efforts to strengthen the overall relationship between the two countries. Since the talks have yet to start, I would have to refrain from discussing in detail the approach that we will be taking in these talks or the position that Japan will be taking in these talks. What I can say at this moment is that both Japan and the Republic of Korea are parties to the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and as parties to the Law of the Sea Convention, the new bilateral agreement between the two countries must be in keeping with the objectives of the convention. That also means that resources management will be an important aspect that needs to be discussed in the upcoming negotiations.

4. Schedule of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto

   Q: How does the Government of Japan explain the fact that Prime Minister Hashimoto is refraining from doing any sort of customary diplomatic forays during Golden Week? It has been remarked in the Japanese press -- I saw a big take-out in the Mainichi this morning -- criticizing the Prime Minister for not doing anything, for basically kicking back at a time when perhaps an explanation of Japan's economic policy might be in order, especially to the United States -- that this would be a wonderful opportunity because it is a holiday week, to go abroad as other Prime Ministers have done in the past.

   A: I do not think that this is the very first time that Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto does not have plans to travel abroad --

   Q: In 1996 he did not go abroad --

   A: I am aware of the reports, the comments in the Japanese media and I do not have any comments to offer on these media reports, except to say that, as you know, the Prime Minister is a very busy man, he has been very active in the diplomatic arena, but he has a lot of responsibilities back home. I do not think I will go beyond that. I have been blamed for many, many things; of being secretive, of being unhelpful, but I have never been blamed for being a loose cannon.

   Q: That's true.

5. Release of United States Congressional Report

   Q: The U.S. Congressional Report came out a couple of days ago which blames Japan's policy of pushing the yen down to boost exports as the key reason for the Asian economic crisis. I have not seen any official rebuttal or comment from the Japanese side on this. What do you say, sir?

   A: I am aware of this report, but I have not looked at the details of this report and at this moment I do not have any comments on that report.

   Q: Can we expect something? It is a rather big entity out there without any comment to go from Japan. Are you planning to issue something to the press, either by fax or by some other means?

   A: I am not aware of any such plans. Perhaps I can answer that question indirectly. I hope you take a good look at the economic stimulus package that will be announced later this afternoon.

   Q: Are they going to push the yen up?

   A: It is an economic stimulus package. It is designed to give a boost to the economy.

   Q: I am talking about the policy of lowering the yen as a means of boosting Japanese exports, and which had the effect, according to this report, of having contributed to the triggering of this economic crisis in Asia.

   A: This is a very complex and technical issue which would be better addressed by experts. I do not think I should answer that question off the top of my head. The important issue is how to improve the economic situation in Asia and how to revive confidence in the Japanese economy, and the economic package that we will be announcing later this afternoon is designed to address these questions.

6. Security exchanges between Japan and the Russian Federation

   Q: I understand that the top military officer of Japan is to visit Russia. Could you tell us about follow-up procedures in terms of enhanced security exchanges between Japan and Russia?

   A: I will be very glad to answer that question. In their meeting in Kawana the other day, the two leaders, President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation and Prime Minister Hashimoto, reaffirmed that the two countries' would continue exchanges between the defense establishments at a high level. They agreed on an exchange of visits by Chairman Shigeru Sugiyama of the Joint Staff Council and the Chief of Staff Col. Gen. Mikhail Kolesnikov of the Russian Armed Forces, this year. The Chairman of the Joint Staff Council of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will be visiting Moscow and Vladivostok from late May to early June. In addition to this, I think you are well aware that the two sides agreed to hold joint training between the Japanese SDF and the Russian Armed Forces in the area of search and rescue operations in the northern part of the Sea of Japan.

   Q: Concerning this proposed joint training, have there been any working-level discussions yet as to when to conduct the training?

   A: There have been contacts at the working level before the visit by President Yeltsin, and I am not aware of any meetings having taken place after the visit.

7. Proposal by Prime Minister Hashimoto to President Yeltsin

   Q: After the Kawana talks, it was leaked to the press, probably to the Yomiuri first, about the details of the the new proposal that the Prime Minister gave to President Yeltsin. It was sort of leaked in a very odd way. We never got the full details in one big piece, but it looked like the Russians just slapped it down immediately Is that it? Is it the damp squid that it looks like?

   A: I am not familiar with the expression "damp squid." There have been diverse media reports about the new proposal that the two leaders mentioned at their press opportunity in Kawana. All of these media reports are based on speculation. We believe that it is necessary to wait quietly while the Russian side is looking at our new proposal. As you may recall, President Yeltsin said at the press conference at Kawana that the Russian side would look at the proposal. It is of vital importance that the negotiations on this issue be conducted in a quiet and calm atmosphere.

   Q: After the statement by President Yeltsin, Presidential Spokesman Sergei Yastzhembsky of the Russian Federation pointedly said that the idea of redrawing the border was untenable. That is pretty conclusive, I would think.

   A: I am not going to comment on any of these media reports. As I said, it is necessary to wait quietly while the Russians study the Japanese proposal.