Top > Announcement > Press Conference by The Press Secretary of MOFA > 26 May 2000

Press Conference 26 May 2000

  1. Announcement on the hostage situation in the Republic of Fiji
  2. Statement on the accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the People's Republic of China and permanent normal trade relations to China
  3. Speech by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at the ceremony of the celebrations of the 37th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)
  4. Visit to Japan of Minister for Foreign Affairs Youcef Yousfi of Algeria
  5. Question concerning the visit to China of Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Tetsuma Esaki
  6. Questions on the situation in Fiji
  1. Announcement on the hostage situation in the Republic of Fiji

    Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have few announcements to make at the outset.

    In the early morning of 26 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono delivered the following message to President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara of the Republic of Fiji on the hostage situation in Fiji: "I was extremely shocked and concerned about the takeover of the Fijian Parliament by a group of armed men which was followed by a spurt of violence and looting in the city of Suva. I consider as deplorable any attempt to overthrow by force a democratically elected government. The international community, including Japan, supports the efforts by President Mara to normalize the situation. I hope that the situation will be resolved quickly under your leadership."

    Again this morning, Foreign Minister Kono held talks by telephone with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Philip Goff of New Zealand to exchange views on the hostage situation in Fiji, where one week has passed since the incident started. Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Goff, while paying tribute to Foreign Minister Kono's statement of 19 May, explained the background of the incident, the present situation, and its outlook. He also expressed his views that the case should be solved within the context of the constitution, that the international community should continue its support for President Mara and make a strong appeal to those concerned in Fiji to maintain the democracy and constitution of Fiji. Foreign Minister Kono expressed his concern over the present situation, which is already one week old, saying that he is very much worried about the safety of the hostages, including Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry of the Republic of Fiji. He also observed that it is important for the international community to support President Mara so that the incident can be solved under President Mara's leadership. Foreign Minister Kono said that the message from him has been sent to President Mara today. Foreign Minister Kono and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Goff confirmed that they would keep in close contact for a settlement of the situation.

    Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)
  2. Statement on the accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the People's Republic of China and permanent normal trade relations to China

    Mr. Harada: Foreign Minister Kono issued a statement on the accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the People's Republic of China and permanent normal trade relations to China as follows: "The Government of Japan has been consistently supporting the early accession of China to the WTO. From this point of view, I would like to welcome the fact that the plenary session of the United States House of Representatives has adopted a bill granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to China on 24 May. I believe the adoption of the bill will give significant impetus to the process of China's accession to the WTO. I hope that the passage of this bill will further accelerate the move toward China's accession to the WTO."

    Related Information (WTO)
    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
  3. Speech by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at the ceremony of the celebrations of the 37th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)

    Mr. Harada: Yesterday, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Foreign Minister Kono attended the reception hosted by the African Diplomatic Corps on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

    Japan is the chair of the G8 Summit, and possible issues of the Summit, such as information technology (IT), development, and conflict prevention, relate to Africa. Against this background, Prime Minister Mori wished to demonstrate the importance which Japan attaches to Africa. Prime Minister Mori made a speech, and I would like to introduce the main elements of the speech as follows: Japan will not only continue to show its initiative in the field of development, but also make positive contributions in the area of political stability, which serves as the foundation of development. Japan intends to cooperate on these areas, development and political stability, as the two pillars of our diplomacy toward Africa. As for the development of Africa, we have recently received a variety of opinions, many of which are related to debt problems. Concerning these debt issues, the Cologne Summit Agreement should be implemented as soon as possible, and in this connection, Japan has recently announced supplementary measures. At the same time, development problems are not only those of debt. It is necessary to take an approach that can cover the entire economic and social group development, and Japan wishes to promote cooperation based on this viewpoint. Moreover, as the host country for the upcoming Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and as a friend of Africa, Japan believes it is important to listen to the voices of African countries before the G8 Summit. In order to ensure political stability in Africa, Japan would like to strengthen its efforts at conflict resolution in Africa. Japan also intends to continue its support for the OAU.

    Related Information (Japan-Africa Relations)
  4. Visit to Japan of Minister for Foreign Affairs Youcef Yousfi of Algeria

    Mr. Harada: Minister for Foreign Affairs Youcef Yousfi of Algeria will visit Japan from 28-31 May as the guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Algeria is currently the chair of the OAU.

    During his stay in Japan, Foreign Minister Yousfi will meet with Foreign Minister Kono on 30 May, and others, to have a wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral relations, the regional situation, and the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit.

    This will be the first visit to Japan by an Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs since the country became independent in 1962.

    Those are the announcements I wanted to make, and I would be delighted to answer any question you might have.

    Related Information (Japan-Algeria Relations)

  5. Question concerning the visit to China of Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Tetsuma Esaki

    Q: What was the primary objective of the visit to China by Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Esaki? What was the readout of his meetings with his Chinese counterpart?

    Mr. Harada: Senior State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Tetsuma Esaki visited Beijing from 21-22 May. This is a part of the continuing high-level political dialogue to promote bilateral and friendly relations and follows the recent visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan of the People's Republic of China. Foreign Minister Tang's visit was extremely fruitful, and we are satisfied with the outcome of that visit.

    Senior State Secretary Esaki's visit coincided with the visit of the Minister of Transport Toshihiro Nikai, accompanied by the exchange mission of 5,000 Japanese. Senior State Secretary Esaki met Foreign Minister Tang and his counterpart, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Yang Wenchang of the People's Republic of China. At the meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Yang, Senior State Secretary Esaki said that Prime Minister Mori's Cabinet would continue to make efforts to further develop the Japan-China bilateral relationship based on the Japan-China Joint Communiqué of 1972, the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1978, and the Japan-China Joint Declaration of 1998.

    Vice Foreign Minister Yang responded that the Chinese leaders of the third generation, including President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China, attach great importance to the development of the bilateral relationship. He also mentioned that the preparations for the visit to Japan of Premier Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China are now being made, and through this important visit he believes that bilateral relations will further develop.

    On the issue of Taiwan, Senior State Secretary Esaki said that Japan's position is embodied in the Japan-China Joint Communiqué of 1972 and this position will not change, and Japan hopes that the issues relating to Taiwan will be solved peacefully through dialogue between the parties concerned on both sides of the Strait.

    Regarding the meeting with Foreign Minister Tang, they also reviewed the current good bilateral relations and discussed the upcoming visit to China by the secretary generals of the three respective coalition parties of Japan, which is going to take place shortly. Foreign Minister Tang said that China would indeed welcome that visit and that the delegation would probably be meeting with very high-level people in Beijing. Foreign Minister Tang also explained the Chinese views on the recent speech made by Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan.

    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
  6. Questions on the situation in Fiji

    Q: Do you have any information on the situation in Fiji?

    Mr. Harada: I think President Mara is making strenuous efforts at this moment. As far as I know, they have not come to a final settlement. That is all I have at this moment.

    Q: Is the Japanese Government providing aid or support for Fiji?

    Mr. Harada: We had provided assistance to Fuji, but at this moment I think we would first like to watch carefully how the situation develops and then consider what we can do.

    Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)
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