• Register Email Updates

• >> Advanced Search
• Help

Press Conference 26 February 2002

1. Establishment of the preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development
2. Commencement of the 9th Asian Export Control Seminar
3. Announcement of the Seminar on Energy Security in Asia
4. Question concerning the popularity of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
5. Questions concerning North Korea
6. Question on the name change of Bahrain

1. Establishment of the preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

   Assistant Press Secretary Daisuke Matsunaga: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have three announcements to make.

   First, there is the establishment of the preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This preparatory committee was set up yesterday, 25 February. Perhaps you are aware that the United Nations will hold a major international conference on sustainable development in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit. The World Summit on Sustainable Development will be held in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, from 26 August through to 4 September.

   This preparatory committee in Japan is made up of Director-General level members. The chairman is Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Oshima and the vice chair is Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs Hironori Hamanaka of the Ministry of the Environment. The committee is comprised of representatives from the relevant ministries and agencies within the Government of Japan. The committee will work very hard to prepare for Japan's contribution and participation in the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

   The Summit is going to cover many international environmental issues including climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (dealing with such questions as genetically modified organisms), as well as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. This is going to be a very important international conference, and the Government of Japan is seriously addressing itself to the related challenges.

   Related Information (Climate Change)
   
2. Commencement of the Ninth Asian Export Control Seminar

   Mr. Matsunaga: My second announcement is on the Ninth Asian Export Control Seminar. This seminar started today, 26 February, at the Capital Tokyu Hotel and will continue through to 28 February. The seminar has been organized by the Center for Information on Security Trade Control, and it is being attended by 14 countries and regions in Asia, plus the United States of America, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea.

   The seminar addresses the role of export control in the post-September 11 world and how the international community should address issues concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles. If you are interested in covering this seminar, please direct your enquiries to either the Non-Proliferation Division or the International Press Division.

   Related Information (Japan-Asia Relations)
   
3. Announcement of the Seminar on Energy Security in Asia

   Mr. Matsunaga: Lastly, I would like to announce the holding of another seminar, the Seminar on Energy Security in Asia, which is being organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The seminar will be held on 4 March at the Akasaka Prince Hotel and attended by the ASEAN+3 countries, that is, the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the People's Republic of China.

   The Energy Resources Division is handling the seminar, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi will make opening remarks at the event. The seminar will cover a wide-ranging agenda, including issues such as the international energy situation, the energy situation in Asia, the Asian Energy Community Initiative, and the development of an emergency response system, as well as ASEAN+3 energy cooperation.

   If you are interested in covering or attending this seminar, please let us know. You will have to complete an application, but you will most probably get a seat in the seminar. So if you are interested in covering the seminar, please contact either the International Press Division or the Energy Resources Division. If you have any problem participating in the seminar, please let me know.

   Related Information (Seminar on Energy Security in Asia)
   
4. Question concerning the popularity of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

   Q: The Japanese media are now making constant announcements on Mr. Koizumi's support rate. Are you concerned about this, or does it have something to do with your ministry?

   Mr. Matsunaga: This is a political question. As a Government official, I am not in an appropriate position to make any comment on that. I just want to note that when President George W. Bush of the United States visited Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his firm resolve to pursue his reform agenda no matter what. In turn, President Bush expressed his wholehearted support for Prime Minister Koizumi's reform agenda. Furthermore, President Bush expressed his confidence in the success of Prime Minister Koizumi's efforts.

5. Questions concerning North Korea

   Q: I would like to ask two questions regarding North Korea. Since President Bush made his "axis of evil" comment, North Korea has rejected negotiation with the United States so far. I was wondering if Japan was worried or concerned about the deteriorating relationship between the United States and North Korea. What kind of role does Japan intend to play?

   Mr. Matsunaga: First, we understand that President Bush wanted to express his firm stance and concern about the development of weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation. It is always Japan's intention to get North Korea to the negotiation table and keep the window of dialogue open. It is also a constant in Japan's policy to coordinate closely among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States on North Korea.

   I would like to note that Korea.net, a very good website by the Government of the Republic of Korea, carries the gist of President Bush's meeting with President Kim Dae-Jung. Korea.net says that President Bush renewed his offer of dialogue and that the offer was real. Indeed, President Bush said that he had reiterated the offer on the day of his meeting with President Kim Dae-Jung. It is our sincere hope that the dialogue will be resumed. There will not be a change in our policy to keep the window of dialogue open with North Korea.

   Incidentally, I have to correct what I said about the phrase "Sunshine Policy" in my previous briefing. I mistakenly said that the phrase "Embracing Policy" had replaced the phrases "Sunshine Policy" and "Engagement Policy," but that is not true.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
6. Question on the name change of Bahrain

   Q: I understand that the name of Bahrain changed recently. Could you let us know the correct English name?

   Mr. Matsunaga: As far as I understand there was a constitutional amendment and thus the official country name was changed. But please come to the International Press Division after the conference and we can provide the information you require. (Note: Bahrain has changed its official name from "the State of Bahrain" to "the Kingdom of Bahrain.")

   Related Information (Japan-Bahrain Relations)