Press Conference 13 November 2001

1. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia
2. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Muratbek Imanaliev of the Kyrgyz Republic
3. Question regarding a plane crash in New York City
4. Question regarding a possible visit to Pakistan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka
5. Question on Taiwan's securing admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO)

1. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia

   Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon. I would like to announce the upcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Habib Ben Yahia of the Republic of Tunisia. Foreign Minister Ben Yahia will visit Japan from 14 to 18 November as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia will meet with counterparts and other dignitaries.

   Related Information (Japan-Tunisia Relations)
   
2. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Muratbek Imanaliev of the Kyrgyz Republic

   Mr. Hattori: I would also like to announce the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Muratbek Imanaliev of the Kyrgyz Republic. Foreign Minister Imanaliev will arrive in Japan on 14 November and stay until 18 November. While in Japan, Foreign Minister Imanaliev will meet with Government counterparts and other distinguished persons.

   Related Information (Japan-Kyrgyz Republic Relations)
   
3. Question regarding plane a crash in New York City

   Q: Can you update us on the possibility of Japanese nationals being affected by yesterday's plane crash in New York?

   Mr. Hattori: It is my understanding that we have not yet obtained the passenger list; and with regard to the area of the crash--Queens, New York--our most recent enquiries have located no Japanese nationals living in the immediate area. Although we have not yet confirmed details of the passenger list, there have been no reported Japanese casualties.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
   
4. Question regarding a possible visit to Pakistan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka

   Q: I understand the Foreign Ministry is preparing for a visit by the Foreign Minister to Pakistan, but are there any other countries that she might visit?

   Mr. Hattori: A visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to that region, including Pakistan, is still being coordinated, and thus the arrangements are not yet complete. So, unfortunately, at this point in time I am not in a position to announce where and when she will go.

   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
5. Question on Taiwan's securing admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO)

   Q: Do you have any comment about Taiwan's approval to join the World Trade Organization (WTO)? Secondly, Japan has been pressed to sign an agreement for a free trade area with Taiwan. Do you have any comment about this?

   Mr. Hattori: With regard to the accession of Taiwan to the WTO, as a member nation, Japan warmly welcomes the recent approval for Taiwan's entry into the WTO. In response to your second question, given that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, I wonder if it is possible to consider any possibility of a free trade area with Taiwan similar to that which we have recently negotiated with Singapore.

   Related Information (WTO)