Press Conference 12 June 2001
- Questions in relation to a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the United States of America
Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Q: There were news reports this morning that the Foreign Minister will be going to the United States this weekend. Can you confirm that, more or less? I understand that it is still to be approved by the Diet, but if so, what would her schedule be?
Mr. Hattori: Unfortunately, I am not yet in a position to confirm that news report, and the only thing I can say is that the visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the United States of America is still under coordination. I hope that we will be able to announce the visit soon.
Q: If she were to go, what would likely be the topics of discussion? She would be meeting Powell, I assume. What would they be discussing?
Mr. Hattori: Again, I am not in a position to speak on Foreign Minister Tanaka's behalf, because as the Foreign Minister, and as a politician, I think she has a certain number of points that she wants to discuss with her US counterpart, starting with the confirmation of the Japan-US alliance, and there are, as you know, several issues that both sides should exchange views on. Thus, I cannot speculate on the issues that will be taken up by the two foreign ministers.
Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
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