Press Conference 12 February 2002

1. Announcement regarding phone calls by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the foreign ministers of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom
2. Question concerning telephone calls by Minister Kawaguchi to counterparts in other countries
3. Questions regarding deterioration in relations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
4. Questions on the upcoming visit to Japan by President George W. Bush of the United States of America
5. Question regarding the view of the Japanese Government on relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America

1. Announcement regarding phone calls by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the foreign ministers of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom

   Assistant Press Secretary Daisuke Matsunaga: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to make one announcement. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, over the long weekend, talked on the phone with her counterparts in the People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. Minister Kawaguchi had telephone conversations with Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan of the People's Republic of China and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Choi Sung Hong of the Republic of Korea on 9 February and made a telephone call to Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw of the United Kingdom on 11 February.

   First, Minister Tang congratulated Minister Kawaguchi on her assumption of the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister Kawaguchi answered by saying that on the basis of the Japan-China Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development, which was agreed upon in 1998, she would like to promote cooperative bilateral relations in wide ranging areas. Minister Tang said that the further promotion of a bilateral relationship is contributive to the peace and development of Asia and the rest of the world. Minister Tang also said that he would like to further promote exchanges at various levels between the two countries. Then, Minister Tang asked Minister Kawaguchi to consider a visit to the People's Republic of China, and in response, Minister Kawaguchi said that her diplomatic schedules have not yet been decided, but she would like to visit the People's Republic of China soon.

   With Minister Choi, Minister Kawaguchi said that this year the two countries will cohost World Cup soccer games and, therefore, she would like to see a successful World Cup and also a successful holding of the Year of Japan-Korea National Exchange between our two peoples. Minister Choi said that the meeting in October between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea has greatly advanced Japan-Korea relations. And, on the basis of the Japan-ROK Joint Declaration, Minister Choi would like to further strengthen our bilateral relationship and promote exchanges between our two countries. Minister Choi continued to say that, with respect to policy on North Korea, trilateral cooperation and coordination between the Governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States is very important. Minister Kawaguchi, in response to Minister Choi's remarks, said that the Japanese Government supports President Kim Dae Jung's engagement policy with respect to North Korea, and Minister Kawaguchi also emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation in this respect. Minister Choi asked Minister Kawaguchi to visit the Republic of Korea, and Minister Kawaguchi thanked him for his invitation. Minister Kawaguchi said that her diplomatic schedules are yet to be worked out, but that she hopes to visit the Republic of Korea soon.

   With Secretary Straw, Minister Kawaguchi had a telephone conversation on 11 February and thanked Secretary Straw for his message of congratulations that she received right after assuming the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister Kawaguchi said that she wants to maintain close contact with Secretary Straw through such telephone conversations. Secretary Straw said he is looking at the possibility of visiting Japan seriously, and he thanked Japan for its assistance in connection with Afghanistan. He did not say anything more specific, but it could mean the Maritime Self-Defense Force's fuel supply for a British ship, which was conducted on 29 January.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
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2. Question concerning telephone calls by Minister Kawaguchi to counterparts in other countries

   Q: Is Foreign Minister Kawaguchi planning to have more phone calls with other counterparts, or is she receiving phone calls?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Perhaps I am not in a position to make any speculation, but you can see how vigorously Minister Kawaguchi is taking advantage of her opportunities. I can also remind you of a telephone conversation that Minister Kawaguchi had with Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States of America on 3 February. Minister Kawaguchi made a telephone call to Secretary Powell on 3 February. Secretary Powell welcomed Minister Kawaguchi to the "club of foreign ministers" and said that Minister Kawaguchi should feel free to contact him anytime.

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3. Questions regarding deterioration in relations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority

   Q: The situation in the Palestinian occupied territories deteriorated yesterday with the Israeli air campaign against civilian targets. Do you have any comment on that latest development, namely yesterday's Israeli bombing of targets in Palestinian territories?

   Mr. Matsunaga: We are very much concerned about the situation in Palestinian areas and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Our position remains the same. We are very much concerned about the situation, and we urge self-restraint on both sides. We encourage both sides to conduct dialogue with each other. We are seriously concerned about the situation.

   Q: Please allow me to go back to your comment about tension in the Palestinian Authority. You mentioned that you want both parties to exercise self-restraint. How do you expect this from the Palestinian side exactly, because they do not have bombers, unlike Israel, while just the opposite is going on?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I understand that there are some terrorist attacks from the Palestinian side. You said they do not have bombers?

   Q: They do not have airplanes.

   Mr. Matsunaga: I meant the exercising of self-restraint. The Japanese Government is urging the Palestinian side to restrain from any extreme acts and control any extremist behavior that may worsen the vicious cycle. That is what we meant by urging self-restraint. In the meantime we are also urging the Israeli side to exercise self-restraint.

   Related Information (Japan-Israel Relations)
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4. Questions on the upcoming visit to Japan by President George W. Bush of the United States of America

   Q: Is there any arrangement for United States President George W. Bush's itinerary?

   Mr. Matsunaga: We are working on the press document to show on which occasions you have opportunities to cover what events. Hopefully we will be able to make available the press document through which you will know what kind of press opportunities you will have during President Bush's visit to Japan.

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5. Question regarding the view of the Japanese Government on relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America

   Q: I have a question about Iran-American relations. How does Japan look at the high tension between these two countries, especially after President Bush announced Iran is a member of the "Axis of Evil"? I heard last week that there was tension. Especially on the Iranian side there have been a lot of demonstrations against the United States. Japan has been supportive of Iranian reforms. Is there any change toward this policy?

   Mr. Matsunaga: There is no change in this policy. I think the Government of Japan and the Islamic Republic of Iran have maintained friendly relations with each other, and I do not see any change in our policy toward Iran.

   Regarding President Bush's State of the Union Address, we understand that President Bush expressed his concern about the development of weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation.

   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
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