Press Conference by the Press Secretary 29 February 2000

1. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's statement at the informal discussion group on the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit
2. Outline of Japan's peace initiatives for the Republic of Tajikistan
3. Report of the European Heads of Missions meeting
4. Signing of an agreement on social security relating to the avoidance of double pension fees between Japan and the United Kingdom
5. Issues relating to G8 and Japan's efforts to involve other Asian countries in the process
6. Question on the negotiations between Japan and the Russian Federation on science and technological cooperation
7. Issues concerning Japan's bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the loss of drilling rights
8. Questions relating to Japan's position in response to reports of massacres in Chechnya
9. Other issues

1. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's statement at the informal discussion group on the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit

   Press Secretary Ryuichiro Yamazaki: Good afternoon. At the outset I have several announcements that I would like to make.

   My first announcement is on what Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said in addressing the informal discussion group on the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. I think most Japanese newspapers carried his statement this morning, however, I would like to deliver this to you, quoting some paragraphs from my unofficial translation of what he said, because I think this was the first time that he addressed in detail some of the substance of what he saw coming up at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit.

   The Prime Minister first of all took a quick overview of how he saw the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit not only because it is being held in 2000, but also because at the same time it happens to be the twenty-sixth time that the Summit is being held, and it would be very useful to take stock of the role the Summit has played in the past and what role we see it playing in the 21st century. He mentioned several pillars of interest. The first of which was the Information Technology (IT) revolution, because on the one hand it has very positive effects, as can be seen in countries such as the United States of America, but then we also see the negative sides, such as high-tech crime and other IT related problems. Also in this connection, is the so called "digital divide" which means that disparities among developed and developing countries, as well as disparities among developed countries, can arise due to differences in the speed and depth of the Information Technology revolution.

   The second area that he showed interest in was development, especially against the background of globalization and the advancement of the information society. For instance, in coping with the further increase in population below the poverty level due to the Asian economic crisis, the Prime Minister noted that there is an even greater need to provide these countries with social safety nets.

   The third area was health, especially how to cope with infectious diseases. Although polio has more or less been conquered, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS as well as tuberculosis, which happens to be the biggest single cause of fatalities among patients who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Prime Minister Obuchi hopes to place this whole area of health as one of the main themes of the G8 Summit.

   The fourth area he mentioned was culture. In fact, it was at the Cologne Summit last year that he stated the cultural importance of globalization in the context of recognizing cultural diversity. This is an area he hopes to follow up.

   Other areas Prime Minister Obuchi mentioned, although not in detail but just as important, were trans-border crimes, problems pertaining to ageing societies and also conflict prevention. Prime Minister Obuchi said that he christened the 21st century as a century of peace. That was the gist of his statement at this informal group discussion and I hope that gives you some idea of how Prime Minister Obuchi is thinking of addressing the various topics at the coming G8 Summit. The English translation of his statement is contained in the Foreign Ministry website (http://www.mofa.go.jp).

   Related Information (G7/G8)
   
2. Outline of Japan's peace initiatives for the Republic of Tajikistan

   Mr. Yamazaki: I announced a couple of weeks ago about Japan's participation in observing the elections of the Lower House in the Republic of Tajikistan which was led by former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Keizo Takemi. The elections were successfully held on Sunday 27 February. Although the detailed results of the elections have yet to be confirmed, I wanted to distribute some information to you on Japan's peace initiatives for Tajikistan.

   Japan's peace initiatives are comprised of four main pillars, the first being assistance for the peace process and democratization under which former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Takemi's group went to observe the elections. The second pillar is assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The third is assistance for social and economic development at grassroots level. The fourth is assistance in human resources development. Under this fourth pillar is the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) training program for up to 500 trainees for five years. This pillar also includes a seminar on democracy and good governance for Tajikistan and it is under this item that we have invited the Minister for Foreign Affairs Talbak Nazarov of Tajikistan to Japan on a bilateral visit and also to attend the seminar on democratization where about ten of his colleagues from Tajikistan, including the Advisor to the President of Tajikistan Karim Yuldashev have all been invited to participate. The Foreign Minister will come on 5 March and will leave on 12 March and in between they will have the opportunity of not only seeing and being briefed about Japan per-se, but also they will be able to meet with Foreign Ministry officials on Japan's cooperation to central Asia, people from the Supreme Court on Japan's judicial system and Police Agency officials on how to control international drug trafficking and domestic law and order. They will also have meetings with the Secretariat of the Lower House and will be briefed on Japan's parliamentary system. (Reference document attached).

   Related Information (Japan-Tajikistan Relations)
   
3. Report of the European Heads of Missions meeting

   Mr. Yamazaki: Last week I briefed you on the outcome of the recent Heads of Mission meeting involving Japan's ambassadors stationed in the Middle East region. Today, I would like to briefly give you an overview of the outcome of the European Heads of Mission meeting which took place last week.

   There were two main themes. One was the situation in Europe and how Japan's relations with Europe should develop, and the other was the Russian Federation. Last year was indeed a great year for Europe with many developments related to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Euro. Based on that, it was more or less the feeling of the ambassadors stationed in Europe that Japan must strengthen more its political dialogue with countries in Europe, both European Union (EU) member and non-EU member countries. Some of the topics to be taken in that context would be human rights, the Asian situation, the declining youth population, the growing ageing population, and other themes of that sort. The other underlying theme was that Japan should strengthen political cooperation with Europe, and the reconstruction of Kosovo was one area that was mentioned in this regard.

   As for the twelve aspirants to the EU, there was the opinion that Japan should be able to encourage these countries in some way; not necessarily to help them financially, but more in terms of technical cooperation. For instance, when these aspirants to the EU have to meet some of the environment standards, perhaps Japan could offer intellectual cooperation.

   On the economic side, one year has passed since the introduction of the Euro, and most of the ambassadors agreed that things were moving fairly smoothly. However, they expressed concern over what would happen if the European economy went into a downward phase. Disparities among the economic performance of various countries could widen, and be faced with the problem of how to effectively coordinate such situations.

   There were some discussions on the effect of EU expansion on Japanese enterprises working in Europe. The ambassadors tended to look at this aspect in a positive light -- as a business opportunity and they felt that embassies and consulates could help indirectly these Japanese enterprises in their endeavors.

   As far as Russia was concerned, there was basic recognition that Japan should maintain the present course with Russia with a new president soon to be elected. The ambassadors perceived that the feeling of European countries toward Russia was mixed, with both expectation and concern. The ambassadors viewed Russia as basically moving toward a market economy based both upon universal values and some tradition Russian values. The ambassadors were also of the opinion that it was important to maintain the present track of bilateral relations with Russia.

   Related Information (Japan-Europe Relations)
   
4. Signing of an agreement on social security relating to the avoidance of double pension fees between Japan and the United Kingdom

   Mr. Yamazaki: This morning an agreement was signed between Japan and the United Kingdom on social security relating to the avoidance of double pension fees. For example, if a Japanese person was working either on his own or employed by a Japanese company in the United Kingdom, the person would be exempt from paying a compulsory pension to the United Kingdom pension fund. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce in London made a calculation in 1995 estimating that for the three year period between 1995-1997 approximately GBP30 million will be paid by Japanese companies to the UK pension fund. Under this new agreement Japanese companies would be exempted from such pension fees.

   Related Information (Japan-U.K. Relations)
   
5. Issues relating to G8 and Japan's efforts to involve other Asian countries in the process

   Q: Since Japan is the only country in Asia to participate in G8, what is it doing to involve other Asian countries in the process?

   Mr. Yamazaki: It is clear that Japan is the only Asian country in G8. Japan is very much aware of this and that is why at past Summits, either before or after or both, Japan has been in touch with major Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China and other Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to make sure that they are kept abreast of what the G8 Summit is doing. Since Japan is hosting the Summit this year and it is going to be taking place in Asia, we are even more keen that there is an Asian perspective injected into the Summit. That is why Prime Minister Obuchi himself has been visiting various Asian countries holding direct discussions with their leaders and attending international conferences, most recently in Bangkok on the occasion of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 10 (UNCTAD).

   Q: How about China's perspective?

   Mr. Yamazaki: Regarding China's perspective as a country of Asia, we are, of course, very much interested in what China's views are vis-a-vis G8 and we have always kept close contact with them in the past, both before and after G8 Summits.

   Related Information (Japan-Asia Relations)
   
6. Question on the negotiations between Japan and the Russian Federation on science and technological cooperation

   Q: Could you explain about the negotiations between Russia and Japan concerning the nature of science and technology cooperation?

   Mr. Yamazaki: The third round of negotiations concerning the Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation between Japan and Russia started yesterday and has been going on today in order to explore ways in which we can make a new agreement in place of the present one. The present bilateral agreement signed in 1973 has been carried over from the Soviet Union days. I can confirm that negotiations are going on. I am not sure that the third round of these negotiations will conclude the agreement or whether there will be further rounds yet to come.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
7. Issues concerning Japan's bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the loss of drilling rights

   Q: Japan and Saudi Arabia did not reach an agreement on oil. Do you think that this will lead to a change in policy in Japan?

   Mr. Yamazaki: First of all, we did send out a press statement that we were very disappointed that we could not reach agreement, but that our relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is of great importance to us, not only because it is a major supplier of crude oil in the region, but also because it is a very important political player in the region. In that context, we have had high level mutual visits. In 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and in 1997, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visited Saudi Arabia and in 1998, His Highness Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul visited Japan. Other visits at various ministerial levels have also taken place. Japan also has a Japan-Saudi Arabia Cooperation Agenda. Since the per capita income of Saudi Arabia is very high it is not a recipient of Official Development Assistance (ODA), but under this Japan-Saudi Arabia Cooperation Agenda, Japan has identified five areas, namely (1) human resources development, (2) the environment, (3) health/medicine and science and technology, (4) culture and sports and (5) investment and joint venture. These are five sectors in which we intend to have cooperation with Saudi Arabia over the coming years. I hope our bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the recent developments in this issue of the Arabia Oil company extending its contract, will continue to move forward.

   Q: Japan imports more than 80% of its oil. Do you think that this recent decision will result in a change of policy?

   Mr. Yamazaki: Although our contract was not renewed, it does not prevent us from continually purchasing oil from Saudi Arabia. The bilateral share is mostly from Middle Eastern countries. The United Arab Emirates had a share of 27.7% of Japan's import in 1998. Saudi Arabia is a close second with 23.7%. After these follow countries such as the Islamic Republic of Iran at 10%, the State of Qatar at 9% and the State of Kuwait at 8%. The Republic of Indonesia has a share of 5.5% and the Sultanate of Oman has 4.9%. It is difficult to answer your question because things related to energy do not happen over night and it is very important to have a stable supply of oil and that is why we look forward to continued and favorable bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

   Q: There were some reports that Foreign Minister Kono might visit Saudi Arabia soon. Can you confirm this?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I cannot confirm this.

   Q: Will there be an exchange of dialogue?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I just described the dialogue at the highest level over the last few years. The Minister for International Trade and Industry and the Minister for Education from the Japanese side have been to Saudi Arabia and we have had some other distinguished guests from Saudi Arabia visit Japan. There will be an ongoing high level dialogue with Saudi Arabia, but I am afraid that I cannot give you any specific dates of any ministerial visits right now. We are taking stock of the situation and we will see how we can proceed forward.

   Related Information (Japan-Saudi Arabia Relations)
   
8. Questions relating to Japan's position in response to reports of massacres in Chechnya

   Q: Can you offer some information on the discussions that took place regarding the reports of massacres in Chechnya?

   Mr. Yamazaki: This meeting took place last week. Timing wise, I am not quite sure whether it overlapped with the rather shocking photograph that was carried in the international press. I am afraid that I do not have any detailed information on the discussions on Chechnya at this time.

   Q: What is the Japanese Government's position on this issue?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I think this is basically a domestic issue, but the whole world is looking very keenly at it, and I can only say that. I cannot go into details at this time.

   Q: Do you mean that massacres in other countries are always domestic issues?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I do not want to get into semantics. This would depend on the situation of the individual country. I have been posted from the United Nations (UN) where humanitarian intervention was debated all last year as to what situations the UN with the agreement of its member countries, can intervene. It is very difficult to set up criteria before hand and can only be done in ad hoc situations. I think you are aware of the underlying difficulties depending on which country is involved in that sort of situation.

   Related Information (Japan-Russia Relations)
   
9. Other issues

   Q: Could you give me some information on America's position regarding the Euro candidate for the IMF?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I am not quite sure what the American official position is on this because according to reports there is an American gentleman who is now the acting executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and I do not know what the Government of the United States of America thinks of that gentlemen being elected. As far as former Vice-minister of Finance for International Affairs Eisuke Sakakibara is concerned, we have placed him as a candidate and my government intends to do its best to campaign on his behalf. That is all I can say at this time.

   Q: Is there any news on Japan and North Korea?

   Mr. Yamazaki: In the past weeks there has not been much news even in the Japanese press and that reflects the reality that there is no development at this time.