Press Conference 6 April 2001

1. Communication between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Israeli and Palestinian ministers
2. Question on the issuance of a visa to former President Teng-hui Lee of Taiwan
3. The approval of the Diplomatic Bluebook
4. Question on the situation following the recent collision between the American and Chinese aircraft
5. The authorization of junior high school history textbooks
6. Questions on the upcoming diplomatic schedule

1. Communication between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Israeli and Palestinian ministers

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon.

   Q: Yesterday I read some reports saying that Mr. Kono contacted the Israeli and Palestinian sides and encouraged them to negotiate or maintain peace. Do you have any background about this recent move?

   Mr. Harada: Yes, you are correct. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono had telephone conversations with Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Peres of the State of Israel and the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Sha'ath of the Palestinian Authority, yesterday. I will give you the substance of those conversations.

   In the conversation with Foreign Minister Peres, Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan is deeply concerned with the increased tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and he requested Israel to exert self-restraint. Foreign Minister Kono also explained Japan's position on the Middle East peace process, including Japan's political approaches to Palestine. In addition, Foreign Minister Kono requested that Israel lift the economic blockade against the Palestinians.

   In response, Foreign Minister Peres noted that there had been positive movements recently, such as high-level talks in Athens and the resumption of consultations between the security organizations of Israel and Palestine. Foreign Minister Peres went on to say that Israel believes that the issue can be solved only through negotiations, not by the use of force. In that vein, Israel is now requesting President Yasser Arafat to appeal publicly for the cessation of violence, which will lead to the resumption of negotiations and the restoration of trust.

   As for the Palestinian economic situation, Foreign Minister Peres explained that Israel does not want the collapse of the Palestinian interim self-government: this would not be in the interest of Israel. Foreign Minister Peres maintained that if the Palestinians prepare the conditions for the realization of peace, Israel would lift the blockade against the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

   Foreign Minister Kono recounted Japan's concerns with the current situation in his telephone conversation with Minister Sha'ath, and also relayed the content of his earlier telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Peres. Moreover, Foreign Minister Kono informed Minister Sha'ath that Japan welcomes and supports the positive movements, such as the high-level talks in Athens and the resumption of consultations between the security authorities of Israel and Palestine. Foreign Minister Kono stated that Japan would continue assistance to the Palestinian Authority in cooperation with other governments.

   Minister Sha'ath expressed the appreciation of the Palestinian Authority for Japan's involvement in the Palestinian situation, assistance to Palestine, and approaches to Israel.

   Finally, Foreign Minister Kono notified Minister Sha'ath that Japan would dispatch Director-General Toshinori Shigeie of the Middle East and African Affairs Bureau to exchange views with officials of Israel and Palestine in the near future.

   Q: The near future means next week or next month?

   Mr. Harada: Consultations are now underway with both the Israeli and Palestinian sides, but as you know, Passover will be taking place in Israel in one week. If consultations go smoothly, we hope that we can send Director-General Shigeie sometime during the week after next.

   Q: Does Japan consider Israel more responsible for the violence, because Israel has such an advanced army, and the Palestinians are merely policeman and they are getting more damage than the other side from this violence? Do you think Israel should be approached with a sterner attitude by Japan?

   Mr. Harada: I think increased tensions have been perpetuated by a vicious circle. Consequently, I do not think it is appropriate to assert that one side should exert more self-restraint than the other side I think both sides should exert self-restraint.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
2. Question on the issuance of a visa to former President Teng-hui Lee of Taiwan

   Q: What is the stance of the Foreign Ministry on granting a visa to former Taiwanese President Teng-hui Lee?

   Mr. Harada: I am aware of media reports on this issue. However, as a matter of fact, we have not yet received an application for a visa. Therefore, at this stage I do not want to make any conjecture. If an application for a visa is received, it will be considered and subsequently decided upon. But at this stage, since we do not have any application, I cannot make any concrete comment on that.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
3. The approval of the Diplomatic Bluebook

   Q: Regarding the Diplomatic Bluebook that the Foreign Ministry is preparing right now, I understand that officials of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday expressed opposition to some of the content. Do you know when the process is expected to end, that is, when the final draft will come out?

   Mr. Harada: Well, we have to go through a certain process to publish the Diplomatic Bluebook. Yesterday we explained the content of the Diplomatic Bluebook to the LDP committees concerned, and we received some comments. I think the divisions concerned within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are now considering how to accommodate these comments. I do not believe it will take a long time to work out how these comments can be accommodated. We hope that the Diplomatic Bluebook will be published in the near future.

   Related Information (Diplomatic Blue Book)
   
4. Question on the situation following the recent collision between the American and Chinese aircraft

   Q: Concerning the spy plane crisis in China, between China and the United States, what is Japan's stance regarding the plane itself? Do you think it should be returned immediately? Do you support the American side or China's side?

   Mr. Harada: You said "spy." I do not think that is an appropriate word. The EP3 aircraft was engaged in a routine surveillance operation.

   Our basic position is that we do not want to see any escalation of tension because of this incident. We have expressed that we strongly hope that this case will be settled in a smooth and quick manner, and we are watching carefully the situation.

   We believe that a stable relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China is vital for the stability and peace of the Asia-Pacific region. This position has been conveyed to both sides Foreign Minister Kono had a telephone conversation with Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States of America on Wednesday; and yesterday Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Yutaka Kawashima met Ambassador to Tokyo Chen Jian of the People's Republic of China and conveyed the same position.

   Since this is an incident between both countries and we do not know the detailed facts of the incident, Japan is not in a position to make a direct comment on whether the aircraft should be given back to the United States or not.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
5. The authorization of junior high school history textbooks

   Q: I have a question concerning the textbooks. I noticed that there is a protest in Asian countries regarding the Japanese textbooks that have been approved. So what is Japan's action against these protests?

   Mr. Harada: We are aware of the concerns expressed by certain countries. Our position on history textbooks is fully reflected in the comments made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, which I think you have received. I can only reiterate major elements of Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda's statements.

   "Japan's textbook authorization system is founded on the basic principle that a diverse range of textbooks employing the creativity and originality of private-sector authors and editors will be published, and without the Government defining specific historical perspectives or outlooks. Historical perspectives or outlooks represented in textbooks should not be identified as those of the Japanese Government.

   "What the text authorization system considers fundamental is to ensure that flaws, such as obvious mistakes or a lack of balance, are to be eliminated and remedied in light of objective academic research and appropriate reference material at the time of authorization.

   "The authorization was carried out impartially based on the Regulations of Textbook Authorization, including the Course of Study and the 'Provision Concerning Neighboring Countries.'

   "The Japanese Government's basic recognition of its history is reflected entirely in the Prime Minister's statement issued on 15 August 1995." There is no change, with regard to this point, in the present Cabinet.

   We have been making efforts to get certain countries to understand correctly the Japanese system of textbook authorization, and we will continue to do so if necessary.

   Q: So do you consider that their reaction or protest is interference in Japanese domestic affairs?

   Mr. Harada: Interference in domestic affairs is a notion of international law. In light of how that notion is defined within international law, we have not said that the concerns expressed by neighboring countries represent interference in internal affairs.

   Q: What is Japan's evaluation of the textbooks in China and North Korea, for example?

   Mr. Harada: I do not think that the Government has a specific position on Chinese or North Korean history textbooks. But private-sector actors that are involved with textbooks have been researching how the textbooks of foreign countries introduce Japanese affairs. I understand that when necessary, they get in contact with authors or experts on textbooks to convey comments, and in certain cases corrections have been made.

6. Questions on the upcoming diplomatic schedule

   Q: Does Mr. Kono have any plans to travel or do some diplomatic activity, such as diplomatic trips or diplomatic meetings?

   Mr. Harada: There are meetings in Japan. For example, next week a European Union (EU) Troika mission will visit Japan for discussions concerning the Kyoto Protocol. Foreign Minister Kono will meet this delegation to exchange views on the Kyoto Protocol. I do not think that there is any plan for him to travel abroad in the near future.

   Q: Do you have a detailed schedule for the EU Troika meeting?

   Mr. Harada: The details of the schedule are now being worked out, so I cannot give you the concrete schedule. However, as far as I know, Foreign Minister Kono will meet with the delegation next Monday.