Top > Announcement > Press Conference by The Press Secretary of MOFA > 13 July 1999

Press Conference by the Press Secretary 13 July, 1999

  1. Announcement on the withdrawal of armed elements from Kashmir
  2. Results of the visit to the People's Republic of China and Mongolia by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi
  3. Japan's position in regard to Taiwan
  4. Japan's response in the case of conflict between the United States and China in accordance with defense policy
  5. Response to reports of violence against a Chinese woman by Japanese court authorities
  6. Position of Japan, China and Mongolia in regard to the Korean Peninsula issue
  7. Contact between Japan and Middle Eastern countries concerning reports of Middle Eastern military officials being present at the launching of the North Korean missile last year
  8. Issue of shipping routes for nuclear waste between the French Republic and Japan passing through the Caribbean
  9. Japan-China cooperation in regard to international issues
  10. Contact between officials from Japan and the Republic of Iraq
  1. Announcement on the withdrawal of armed elements from Kashmir

    Press Secretary Sadaaki Numata: Good afternoon. I have an announcement on Kashmir. As you know, fighting has been taking place along the line of control in Kashmir, but according to most recent announcements by both the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Indian and Pakistani forces have consulted on the modality of the withdrawal of the armed elements from the area, and India has agreed to cease its aerial bombing while this withdrawal takes place. From 10 July, the armed elements seemed to have begun to withdraw from the Indian part of Kashmir, and we welcome these developments.

    We do continue to hope that the withdrawal of the armed elements will go forward and that the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan will respect the line of control and thereby bring a halt to this fighting at an early date. It is with that in mind that we continue to monitor the situation with interest.

    Related Information (Japan-Asia Relations)
  2. Results of the visit to the People's Republic of China and Mongolia by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi

    My next comment is on the visit by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura and other ministers to the People's Republic of China and Mongolia. We feel that the visit to China has been a very fruitful and successful visit in the sense that in the meetings with President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China and Chairman Li Peng of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, we were able to reaffirm the common recognitions that we shared with China at the time of President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan last year. I am talking about the shared recognitions expressed in the Joint Declaration issued at the time. We also had a meeting of mind that our two countries will steadily go on to implement Japan-China cooperation in a broad range of areas, encompassing some 33 items as we go into the 21st century, and that is in the spirit of the partnership of friendship and cooperation for peace and development. The key points of the meetings between the Japanese and Chinese leaders were as follows.

    Firstly, Premier Zhu Rongji accepted the invitation extended by Prime Minister Obuchi to visit Japan sometime next year. Secondly, Prime Minister Obuchi gave a very clear and thoughtful exposition of Japan's defense policy, including Japan's position with respect to the legislation on the Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation. We do feel that there was some understanding on this on the part of China. Thirdly, we took up the question of the maritime research vessels which have been appearing near our waters and asked for China's consideration with respect to this issue. Fourthly, on this occasion the Japan-China bilateral negotiation, specifically on the question of access in trade-in services, has come to a successful conclusion, thereby, we hope, accelerating the process for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The fifth point is that Prime Minister Obuchi conveyed his own initiative to establish a fund of about 10 billion yen to assist China in its efforts for afforestation, especially in the wake of the tremendous damage suffered by China at the time of the floods last year, and the Chinese side expressed their appreciation for this. The sixth point is that the leaders on both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges of views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, especially on the question of the possible relaunch of a missile by North Korea. The final point is that we told the Chinese side how much importance we attach to United States-China relations, and told them how we felt it desirable that there be improvement in US-China relations.

    Those were the exchanges, primarily between Prime Minister Obuchi and Premier Zhu Rongji, but also with President Jiang Zemin and Chairman Li Peng.

    There was also a meeting between Foreign Minister Koumura and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan of the People's Republic of China, in which they took up some of the issues which were not taken up at length at the summit-level meeting. Foreign Minister Koumura also took up the question of the new order on the sea under the Law of the Sea convention, which does relate to the question of the Chinese maritime research vessels. The two sides agreed that there should be convened at an early date Japan-China consultations on the Law of the Sea. They also exchanged views on areas which had been the subject of Japan-China bilateral consultations, such as human rights and security, and agreed that these human rights dialogues and security dialogues would continue to take place. As far as the Prime Minister's trip to Mongolia is concerned, this was the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister in eight years, because the last time that a Japanese Prime Minister visited Mongolia was in August 1991, when Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu visited. Through the meetings between Prime Minister Obuchi and Prime Minister Janlavyn Narantsatsralt of Mongolia, as well as President Natsagiin Bagabandi of Mongolia, we were able to reaffirm our shared intention to promote the comprehensive partnership between Japan and Mongolia, which was a concept agreed upon when President Bagabandi visited Japan last year. Prime Minister Obuchi expressed Japan's intention to continue to support Mongolia's efforts toward democratization and economic reform. It has been ten years since Mongolia embarked on this course, and we have been a major actor in supporting these efforts, in particular through the meeting of donors for Mongolia, in which we have been playing a major part. With respect to the international situation, they discussed such issues as Northeast Asian security and cooperation toward United Nations reform.

    Related Information (Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's Visit to the People's Republic of China and Mongolia)
  3. Japan's position in regard to Taiwan

    Q: Do you have a comment on the idea of nation-to-nation relations between China and Taiwan?

    Mr. Numata: I can only speak for the Government of Japan. As was made clear on Prime Minister Obuchi's visit to China, there is no change in Japan's position with respect to Taiwan. If I may recapitulate, Japan's position with respect to Taiwan is as follows. Firstly, Japan firmly maintains the position expressed in the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972 that Japan fully understands and respects the stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. Secondly, that Japan will continue to maintain its non-governmental and working relations with Taiwan, that is exchanges of a private and regional nature and that there is no change in this position. Thirdly, that the Government of Japan strongly hopes that the issue relating to both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be settled peacefully through direct dialogue between the parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

    Q: Can we expect a reaction from China and do you have any recommendation for Taiwan and China in this matter?

    Mr. Numata: I think it may a little premature, or may not be quite appropriate for us to offer speculations as to what the reaction from Beijing may be. What is appropriate is for us to reiterate Japan's basic position with respect to Taiwan.

    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
  4. Japan's response in the case of conflict between the United States and China in accordance with defense policy

    Q: In case of any conflict between the US and China over Taiwan, what would be the position of Japan?

    Mr. Numata: Perhaps it is best to share with you the very points which Prime Minister Obuchi said to the Chinese leaders with respect to Japan's defense policy and also with respect to the Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation. The main points are that there is absolutely no change in Japan's policy of providing for defense exclusively for defensive purposes, abiding by the three non-nuclear principles and never again becoming a military power. Secondly, that the Japan-US Security Arrangments are purely defensive in nature and are not directed against any specific country or region. Thirdly, that the Guidelines-related legislation is within the purposes of the Japan-US Security Treaty. In fact it enhances transparency by articulating the possible measures which may be taken by Japan to the so-called "situations in the areas surrounding Japan." This legislation clearly articulates that the activities on the part of the Japan Self Defense Forces in such a situation shall be subject to approval by the Diet. It also articulates that Japan shall not resort to the use of force or pose a threat by force. He also said that when it comes to the implementation of the legislation, decisions as to whether or not the "situations in areas surrounding Japan," as defined by the law, actually take place, and what kind of measures may be taken in response to such situations will be made by Japan on the basis of its own judgment from the viewpoint of securing its own national interests. Those are the main points of our defense policy, which the Prime Minister explained to the Chinese leaders.

    Your question referred to a specific area or region. We have also been saying quite clearly that the concept of the "situations in areas surrounding Japan" is not a geographic concept but a situational concept. Therefore, we are not in a position to say what sort of actions we would be engaged in under this legislation, when it entirely depends on the situation. I am not in a position to say what Japan's actions may be under the Guidelines legislation, with respect to a situation which may arise in a particular country or region. But at the same time, what I would like to stress is that transparency is a very important element in our defense policy, and an important element with respect to the legislation which relates to the Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation. Transparency is ensured in many ways, and I think I have just enumerated the ways in which that is done.

  5. Response to reports of violence against a Chinese woman by Japanese court authorities

    Q: Did any exchange take place between Foreign Minister Koumura and his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan with respect to these reports surfacing in China during Prime Minister Obuchi's visit about a Chinese lady, who claims that she has been put through some act of violence by Japanese court authorities relating to a dispute involving the disposition of real estate property?

    Mr. Numata: The question was raised by Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in his meeting with Foreign Minister Koumura. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan cited the report and said that the Chinese Government has asked for the clarification of the facts through its Embassy in Tokyo, and if, on the basis of the facts discovered, there is somebody who needs to be punished, then there should be punishment. Foreign Minister Koumura responded by saying that these cases should be dealt with properly in accordance with the law.

  6. Position of Japan, China and Mongolia in regard to the Korean Peninsula issue

    Q: According to reports, Prime Minister Obuchi has asked China and Mongolia to ask North Korea not to launch any missiles. Is involving China and Mongolia in the crisis concerning North Korea a new trend in Japanese foreign policy?

    Mr. Numata: I do not know whether I would describe it as a new trend in the sense that the question of North Korea is a matter of shared concern to the countries in Northeast Asia. Mongolia for its part is very much interested in engaging in multi-faceted dialogue with the countries in the region, including North Korea. China has had its traditional relations with North Korea. Mongolia has also had its traditional relations with North Korea, so they do have these channels of communication. As a general proposition, it is natural that we keep in close touch with China and Mongolia on those issues which are of particular concern to us. The question of North Korean missiles is obviously a matter of very serious concern to us. Through these visits by Prime Minister Obuchi to China and Mongolia, the opportunities presented themselves of referring to this concern on our part directly to his interlocutors in Beijing and Ulan Bator. We do have a feeling that the fact that we have this very serious concern, which is also a matter of international concern, was properly registered in the minds of the Chinese and Mongolian leaders. Their response was that at some appropriate opportunity in their respective contacts with North Korea, they might have an opportunity to refer to this concern, or sentiment, on the part of the Government of Japan.

    Q: What exactly does Japan feel toward North Korean missile tests. Do you have any confirmation that they are going to fire a missile, and what is the source of Japan's information?

    Mr. Numata: You are asking a very difficult question. There are all sorts of ways in which we try to monitor these situations. As I said, the missile-related activities of North Korea are of very strong concern to us, because they can bring instability not only to Northeast Asia, but also to the international community as a whole. We are in close touch with the governments concerned to monitor the situation with care. I think you do understand that given the nature of the sort of information which may or may not be available, we are not in the habit of commenting on the specific details of this kind of information or intelligence. Having said that, on the basis of the available information to date, I do not think that we are in a position to confirm that the relaunch of a North Korean missile is imminent. It will remain the case that we will continue to monitor the situation with very keen interest.

    Related Information (Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's Visit to the People's Republic of China and Mongolia)
  7. Contact between Japan and Middle Eastern countries concerning reports of Middle Eastern military officials being present at the launching of the North Korean missile last year

    Q: When North Korea launched the first missile last August, there were some official comments by the Japanese that there were certain Middle East military officials watching the process of launching the missile. Are you now in contact with these countries on this issue, or do you have any information about the involvement of Middle Eastern countries in future missile testing in North Korea?

    Mr. Numata: Last year, when North Korea launched the Taepodong missile, there were reports to the effect that there seemed to be some signs of North Korean contacts with certain nationals of Middle Eastern countries. This sort of information is always very difficult to verify. I said earlier that we are keeping close touch with the governments concerned to monitor the situation. That is all I can say at the moment.

    Related Information (North Korea's Missile Launch)
  8. Issue of shipping routes for nuclear waste between the French Republic and Japan passing through the Caribbean

    Q: Every year the governments in the Caribbean are concerned about the nuclear waste brought from France to Japan. Is there any chance that at sometime in the future Japan will look for a different route?

    Mr. Numata: It has been the case that when we transport spent fuel, we do keep in close touch with the countries concerned. We are very much aware of the concern on their part. We also make it absolutely sure that these transports take place in a very safe climate, and I think that the safety of this sort of transport is assured on the basis of very rigorous international standards. The choices of a particular route for the transport are made on the basis of all the relevant factors that exist at the time. What I would like to say at this point is that when we do transport these vessels, we put a very high priority on the safety of the transport and that we try to keep in very close touch with the countries concerned so as to alleviate their concern.

    Related Information (Atomic Energy)
  9. Japan-China cooperation in regard to international issues

    Q: Did Mr. Obuchi discuss with the Chinese leaders any kind of cooperation beyond bilateral issues? Did they discuss the Middle East, Kosovo or other international issues?

    Mr. Numata: They did discuss the international situation, but they could not cover all the parts of the world. With Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, they of course discussed the WTO, which is of global significance, indeed a very important step in China's involvement in the global community. They discussed North Korea as I have said before. They also discussed US-China relations. They discussed Kosovo briefly in the context of the US-China relations. Prime Minister Obuchi did refer to the mistaken bombing by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, and expressed his and the Japanese people's condolences to the unfortunate victims of that incident. With Chairman Li Peng, they talked in rather philosophical terms about the globalization which is taking place in the world economy, which was a subject raised by Chairman Li, and they also discussed the question of multipolarity in the world. Chairman Li explained China's preference for multipolarity rather than a unipolar world. In the Kosovo context, Prime Minister Obuchi said that in reaching the solution for the Kosovo issue, the role of the United Nations has been called into question, and we feel anew a need for United Nations reform, especially the reform of the United Nations Security Council. Prime Minister Obuchi went on to say that we would like very much to see China take the initiative for United Nations Security Council reform as one of the permanent members of the Security Council. Chairman Li Peng responding by saying that he was in agreement with that and China wishes to play its own role to that end.

    Q: Does China support Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council?

    Mr. Numata: I think that China does understand that Japan has this aspiration to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
  10. Contact between officials from Japan and the Republic of Iraq

    Q: Has there been contact between Japanese officials and Iraqi officials. Have you had any briefing?

    Mr. Numata: There have been regular contacts between our officials and officials of the Republic of Iraq since 1991. Immediately after the eruption of the Gulf War, we closed our Embassy in Baghdad, but we have been sending a Technical Mission to Iraq about every 3 months. Most recently, from 26 June to 5 July, there was the 23rd Technical Mission dispatched to Iraq, headed by Mr. Hiroya Kobayashi, Director of the Second Middle East Division of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau. This Mission exchanged views with officials of the Government of Iraq, including the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. They also met the members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of humanitarian-related United Nations organizations in Baghdad. The purpose is to gather information, to keep track of the situation on the ground and to see that our Embassy buildings are in order. My answer is that there is nothing new to report back to you.

    Q: There are reports that the Iraqis were about to close their Embassy in Japan. Do you have any comment on that?

    Mr. Numata: I have no comment to make on that. Thank you very much.

    Related Information (Japan-Iraq Relations)
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