Press Conference 30 June 2000

1. Schedule of Kyushu-Okinawa Summit events
2. The establishment of the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit NGO Center
3. Announcement by the Republic of Korea relaxing restrictions on cultural imports from Japan
4. Fact-finding mission to Cambodia on the issue of small arms and light weapons
5. Parliamentary election in the Republic of Zimbabwe
6. Questions on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
7. Questions on topics for discussion at the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit
8. Question on official development assistance (ODA) to Myanmar
9. Developments in the foreign policy of North Korea
10. Other issues

1. Schedule of Kyushu-Okinawa Summit events

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have five announcements to start with.

   I would like to share with you the schedule of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, on 12-13 July and the Okinawa Summit in Nago City on 21-23 July. As you know we also have the Finance Ministers' meeting in Fukuoka City on 8 July. However, I have to refer you to the Ministry of Finance for the schedule of that meeting.

   First, to the schedule of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Please note that the schedules that I am giving you are provisional and subject to change. At this stage, the schedule starts on the afternoon of Wednesday 12 July with a group picture and a tea gathering, followed by a Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the World Convention Center. There is then a break featuring cultural events at the Miyazaki Prefectural Arts Center, and then a welcome reception hosted by the Miyazaki G8 Summit Promotion Council, followed by a working dinner. On 13 July, in the morning there is the Foreign Ministers' Meeting and in the afternoon the G8 Foreign Ministers' Press Conference, both of which will be held at the World Convention Center.

   Next, the Summit Meeting in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. On 21 July, there is a G8 working dinner, after a working session earlier that afternoon. On 22 July, there is a welcome reception and group picture in the morning followed by a G8 working session. That afternoon there is a working lunch and then a reception hosted by the Okinawa G8 Summit Support Council. Prime Minister and Mrs. Mori will then host a dinner for the leaders and their wives. On the morning of 23 July there will be a working session, followed by a press conference by the Chair of the G8 countries, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

   I would also like to share with you the main points of discussion of the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. The three key phrases in the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit are: "greater prosperity," "deeper peace of mind," and "greater world stability". Under these key phrases we will endeavor to set our approach in tackling together the issues listed below and convey a hopeful message so that each and every individual can have an expectation that the 21st century will be even better than this century.

   Under "greater prosperity" we are considering the following issues: world economy; information technology - information technology is the key issue to be addressed for the prosperity of humankind, and this will be a central theme for the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit; development, including health issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; and cultural diversity as a source of dynamism.

   In connection to "deeper peace of mind" are issues such as crime, aging, food safety, environment, and the human genome.

   Under "greater world stability" are the issues of conflict prevention, disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control. The leaders will also discuss the international situation, though we do not know which aspects of the international situation they will address at this point. Consultations with other G8 countries are still in progress.

   Related Information (G7/G8)
   
2. The establishment of the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit NGO Center

   Mr. Harada: As part of the promotion of dialogue with NGOs about the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, the Government of Japan has decided to establish, from 20-24 July, an NGO Center in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture.

   To make the Summit broad-based and fruitful, the Government has been exchanging views with NGOs through its officials concerned and inviting opinions on the Summit from the public and NGOs in Japan and abroad through the Internet. In response to requests from NGOs for a place for dialogue with the Government on the occasion of the Leaders' Meeting, obtaining information on the Summit, and expression of their opinions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a series of discussions with the NGOs, and both sides reached basic agreement on the functions of the Center and the rules for its use. Accordingly, the Government of Japan has decided to establish an NGO Center.

   The NGO Center will provide a venue for exchanges of views between NGOs and the Government, the Government briefings for NGOs, press conferences by NGOs, among others. The Center will be managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the cooperation of the Liaison Group of the NGO Center, which has been set up to facilitate the operation of the Center.

   NGO personnel will be able to use the Center (with a seating capacity of about 150) by following the necessary procedures, including registration through the Provisional Secretariat of the NGO Center Liaison Group. (Contact: Okinawa Environmental Network, tel and fax: 098-832-2962/c/o Dr. Ui's Office, Okinawa University, e-mail: ui@mail.okinawa-u.ac.jp).

   Related Information (G7/G8)
   
3. Announcement by the Republic of Korea relaxing restrictions on cultural imports from Japan

   Mr. Harada: The Government of the Republic of Korea announced a third measure relaxing restrictions on Japanese culture. The Government of Japan deems this measure to be part of the opening policy toward Japanese culture conducted by the Government of the Republic of Korea since the visit to Japan by President Kim DaeJung. We believe that deepening mutual understanding will further strengthen the friendly, cooperative relationship between the two countries. The Government of Japan will continue to make efforts to promote cultural exchanges and other diverse exchanges with the Republic of Korea.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
4. Fact-finding mission to Cambodia on the issue of small arms and light weapons

   Mr. Harada: The Government of Japan will dispatch to Cambodia a fact-finding mission from 4-8 July on the issue of small arms and light weapons. The mission will be headed by Mr. Toshio Sano, Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   The mission members are planning to survey the actual situation in Cambodia relating to the problems of small arms and light weapons through exchanges of views with officials and staff members of the Government of Cambodia, international assistance organizations, NGOs, and others.

   Recognizing that an excessive and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons had been hampering social and economic development in Cambodia, former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi informed Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia last January that Japan would send a fact-finding mission on the issue. Japan had already agreed with the European Union that both would consider possible concrete cooperation between them in addressing the issue in Cambodia. Based on the outcome of the survey by the mission, the Government of Japan will examine how it can contribute to solving the problems in Cambodia.

   Related Information (Japan-Cambodia Relations)
   
5. Parliamentary election in the Republic of Zimbabwe

   Mr. Harada: At my last press conference I announced that Japan would dispatch six officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to observe the election in the Republic of Zimbabwe. We did indeed dispatch the mission. On 24-25 June the parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe, and the results were announced on 27 June. The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that the voting was well organized in general with a high turnout, despite the political violence and intimidation throughout the country during the campaign period.

   Japan strongly hopes that both the ruling and opposition parties of Zimbabwe accept the results of the election and join forces to address economic problems and promote democracy.

   Related Information (Japan-Zimbabwe Relations)
   
6. Questions on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Q: Concerning the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, is Mr. Kono participating in this meeting?

   Mr. Harada: As you know the Cabinet is going to be reshuffled. I know there are press reports that it is likely that Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono will be re-appointed. However, at this stage, since we have to wait until the reshuffle, I can only say that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan will attend.

   Q: I heard a report that Mr. Kono expressed his wish to visit a foreign country in September?

   Mr. Harada: Maybe you are referring to his remarks concerning a visit to the People's Republic of China. At a press conference he mentioned that he would like to visit China before the visit to Japan of Premier Zhu Rhongji of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Foreign Minister Kono did not mention the concrete timing of such a visit, only his desire to make the visit before the Chinese Premier visits Japan.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
7. Questions on topics for discussion at the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit

   Q: You mentioned that there are consultations with other G8 members on the international situation. What will Japan raise in these meetings, especially regarding the Middle East Peace Process?

   Mr. Harada: As I told you, we have not come to any final decisions on which region or international situation the G8 leaders will discuss. However, I could speculate that in light of the recent movements in the Korean Peninsula, where the very important North-South Summit occurred, the leaders may well discuss the issue of the Korean Peninsula. You referred to the Middle East Peace Process, which is also a very important issue for the international community. Although we have not come to any final decisions, I can easily imagine that issue will be discussed. But at this stage I am not in a position to comment on what Japan will raise in relation to the Middle East Peace Process.

   Q: Japan is going to raise the issue of United Nations reform at the Okinawa Summit, although both Italy and Canada are against United Nations reforms, and other permanent Security Council members do not want new Council members, new permanent members, to have veto power. In view of this, what are you going to gain?

   Mr. Harada: Firstly, I have to repeat that we are still consulting and coordinating on what issues should be raised and discussed by the G8 leaders. So I cannot confirm that United Nations (UN) reform will be discussed, and consequently I cannot make a complete comment on your question. Although since the Millennium Summit of the United Nations will be held this September, I would not be surprised if the G8 leaders do discuss UN-related issues, but I cannot make any further comment.

   Related Information (G7/G8)
   
8. Question on official development assistance (ODA) to Myanmar

   Q: Is it true that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is thinking of resuming special ODA for Myanmar? Can you tell us anything about this?

   Mr. Harada: We are encouraging the Myanmar Government to proceed with political and economic reform. When the late Prime Minister Obuchi attended the meeting with ASEAN leaders in last November, he said to the Myanmar leader that Japan would provide assistance to Myanmar's reform efforts. We have not changed our basic policy towards Myanmar, so at this stage I am not informed that we have decided to provide new special ODA to Myanmar.

   Related Information (Japan's ODA)
   
9. Developments in the foreign policy of North Korea

   Q: According to a report by Kyodo, there is a delegation from North Korea that will visit Kuwait next week to normalize relations. What is Japan's comment on this?

   Mr. Harada: I am aware of that press report. I can give you a general comment on that. The Government of Japan welcomes the conduct of an open policy by North Korea toward the international community, establishing diplomatic relations. We welcome the recent establishment of diplomatic relations by North Korea with the Italian Republic and others. By pursuing an open policy, we hope that North Korea will be more engaged in the international community.

   Q: Do you think this will help improve relations between Japan and North Korea?

   Mr. Harada: I do not see a direct influence on the Japan-North Korea relationship, but as I said, generally speaking, we welcome such an open policy by North Korea towards the international community.

   Q: Do you usually communicate with the countries that have made contact with North Korea?

   Mr. Harada: We maintain constant contact with those countries with which we have friendly relations, including Italy and the State of Kuwait.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
10. Other issues

    Q: There are some reports that Vice President Gore of the United States had a meeting with some Iraqi opposition members, and he pledged that he would help topple the government of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. What is Japan's position on this issue?

    Mr. Harada: I am aware of the press report, but I do not have enough information on that to make a comment, so I have to refrain from commenting.

    Q: In general, does Japan support other governments trying to topple certain governments?

    Mr. Harada: Japan does not have such a practice.