Press Conference 8 June 2001

1. Announcement on the completion of a review by the Government of the United States of America regarding its policy toward North Korea
2. Follow-up questions concerning North Korea
3. Question on a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the United States of America
4. Questions with regard to recent bilateral meetings
5. Questions on the secretaries to Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka

1. Announcement on the completion of a review by the Government of the United States of America regarding its policy toward North Korea

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have one announcement at the outset.

   This statement by Press Secretary Norio Hattori was issued last night; it concerns the completion of a review by the Government of the United States of America regarding its policy toward North Korea.

   On the evening of 6 June, President George W. Bush announced a statement that the US Government had completed a review of its policy toward North Korea. The Government of Japan supports this review by the United States, which was made in line with its exchange of views with Japan and the Republic of Korea.

   The Government of Japan intends to engage in its policy toward North Korea whilste maintaining close coordination with the Republic of Korea and the United States.

   Japan hopes that the United States and North Korea will undertake discussion following the US Government's review of its policy toward North Korea, thereby leading to the reduction of tension on the Korean Peninsula as well as the promotion of peace and stability in North East Asia.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
2. Follow-up questions concerning North Korea

   Q: In follow-up to this issue, what is the Japanese Government's reaction? Are there any measures to be taken for discussions on relations between Japan and North Korea?

   Mr. Harada: I think you remember well that we had the last round of normalization talks in Beijing last October. Both sides agreed to pursue the next round of normalization talks after completing a study of the results of the last round of negotiations and reaching readiness. At this stage the situation has not changed.

   Q: Any reaction from the North Korean side?

   Mr. Harada: No, not to my knowledge.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
3. Question on a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the United States of America

   Q: Can you please tell me what happened to Foreign Minister Tanaka's plan to visit the United States by the end of June?

   Mr. Harada: Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka wishes to visit the United States as soon as possible, if feasible before the visit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the United States. We are still coordinating with our US counterparts, but we have not come to any concrete decision yet. I understand that US Secretary of State Colin Powell made it clear at a press conference yesterday that he is also looking forward to the meeting with Foreign Minister Tanaka.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
4. Questions with regard to recent bilateral meetings

   Q: A Japanese newspaper reported today about what it calls records of Foreign Minister Tanaka's meetings with her Australian, Italian, and German counterparts. Does the Foreign Minister have any comment to make on that?

   Mr. Harada: I think we had a similar question and answer when Press Secretary Hattori gave a press conference last Tuesday. In accordance with diplomatic practice, we do not disclose the content of bilateral meetings, and therefore I cannot make any comment on the report to which you just referred. We have comments by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka, and also Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer of Australia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lamberto Dini of the Republic of Italy. I do not think I have to repeat those comments here.

   Q: The Australian and Italian foreign ministers have made comments in relation to comments reportedly made by Foreign Minister Tanaka. Have you received any comments from the German foreign minister?

   Mr. Harada: We have not received any comment from Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joschka Fischer of the Federal Republic of Germany yet.

   Related Information (Japan-Australia Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Germany Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Italy Relations)
   
5. Questions on the secretaries to Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka

   Q: I understand that the number of secretaries to Foreign Minister Tanaka has been raised to seven, including Mr. Uemura. Can you explain why she needs so many secretaries as opposed to just two, which the previous Foreign Minister had?

   Mr. Harada: It might be difficult for me to answer that question. I assume that Foreign Minister Tanaka is very active and so she needs more secretaries than was originally the case. But I have to refer you to Foreign Minister Tanaka herself.

   Q: A related question, out of the seven I understand that five of them are not officially her secretaries. Do you have any plans to change their status to her secretaries, or do you plan to retain them just as division heads and aides to the Foreign Minister?

   Mr. Harada: I am afraid I do not have concrete information on that, and since it relates to personnel affairs, I do not think we can comment on such a question, as you well know.