Press Conference 5 March 2002

1. Visit to Japan of President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
2. Statement on the situation in Kosovo
3. Question regarding demonstrations against members of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in East Timor
4. Follow-up questions regarding the agenda for Japan-Pakistan summit meetings
5. Questions on the campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan
6. Questions concerning personnel changes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7. Questions concerning investigations into internal oversights
8. Question on the situation in the Middle East
9. Question on a visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen

1. Visit to Japan of President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

   Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have two announcements to make this afternoon. My first announcement is on the visit to Japan of President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Mrs. Musharraf.

   President Pervez Musharraf, accompanied by Mrs. Musharraf, will pay an official working visit to Japan from 12 to 15 March.

   During his stay in Japan, President Musharraf and Mrs. Musharraf will make a state call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.

   Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will host a court luncheon in honor of President Musharraf and Mrs. Musharraf.

   President Musharraf will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the visit of President Musharraf, which will further strengthen the friendly ties existing between Japan and Pakistan.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of His Excellency General Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan)
   
2. Statement on the situation in Kosovo

   Mr. Hattori: My second announcement today is on developments in Kosovo.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that the Kosovo Assembly has elected a President and a Prime Minister, a significant step toward substantial autonomy in Kosovo, based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Although the negotiations to launch a coalition government have been facing difficulties since the Kosovo Assembly elections held in November last year, Japan appreciates the agreement by the main parties in Albania to form a coalition government under the guidance of Mr. Michael Steiner, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and that Kosovo has taken the first step to establish an interim self-government.

   The Government of Japan hopes that Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, newly elected President of Kosovo, will exercise appropriate leadership to construct a democratic and multiethnic society in Kosovo in cooperation with UNMIK.

3. Question regarding demonstrations against members of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in East Timor

   Q: I saw a report this morning that Japanese peacekeepers in East Timor were confronted with a demonstration against Japan's behavior during World War II. Do you have any comments on that?

   Mr. Hattori: We have sent the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in order to help the people of East Timor to construct their country, and that has been done at the request of East Timor as well as that of the United Nations. We understand that Mr. Xanana Gusmao, former head of the National Council of Timorese Resistance, welcomes the dispatch of the SDF to East Timor by Japan. We know that there are many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) of East Timor welcoming the contribution by the Japanese Government in the form of the dispatch of the SDF. Furthermore, as the East Timorese people are enjoying democracy and free expression, we are not surprised that some East Timorese NGOs have demonstrated, protesting the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces. However, we do not understand this to mean that the people of East Timorese do not welcome the contribution of Japan's SDF.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation (Archives))
   
4. Follow-up questions regarding the agenda for Japan-Pakistan summit meetings

   Q: Do you have any details about the topics to be discussed during the Musharraf visit? What are the main issues that Japan wants to raise?

   Mr. Hattori: As we have previously stated, the Government of Japan appreciates very much the proactive contribution and participation of the Pakistani Government and people in the campaign against terrorism. Since the campaign against terrorism is one of the most pressing issues, it will, of course, be one of the top priorities to be talked about between the two leaders. We have also made it clear that we would like to help Pakistan democratize, as has been pledged by President Musharraf himself. Including that point, we would like to take up bilateral issues, as well as cooperation with Pakistan, at the summit level. I think those issues will formulate the agenda for the summit talks.

   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
5. Questions on the campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan

   Q: With regard to the campaign against terrorism, there were some reports yesterday mentioning American casualties in Afghanistan. Does Japan feel worried that the campaign has not really been successful even though it has been continuing for many months?

   Mr. Hattori: Since we are not directly involved in the combat in Afghanistan, we are not in a position to make any comments on the progress in terms of the fight against terrorism in that country. Of course, we would like to extend our condolences regarding the causalities suffered by US forces.

   Q: Do you usually have discussions with the United States about such operations, or do you obtain some details from the US side?

   Mr. Hattori: I do not think there is any exchange of details or conversations between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States about the combat taking place in Afghanistan.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   
6. Questions concerning personnel changes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

   Q: Regarding your Ambassador in the Netherlands, Ambassador Togo, since last Thursday newspapers have been writing that he might be moved to a different job. Is there any decision yet on that? Also, he was formerly head of Oua Kyokucho. What is your translation for Oua Kyokucho, and when was Ambassador Togo head of that department?

   Mr. Hattori: As for the personnel changes, at this point in time I have no comment. On the second question, Ambassador to the Netherlands Kazuhiko Togo held the position of Director-General of the European and Oceanic Affairs Bureau for two years from 1999. That post no longer exists, as that section has become the Oushyu Kyokucho, that is, the European Affairs Bureau.

   Q: The four northern islands fall into Oceania?

   Mr. Hattori: No, they fall into Russia and hence Europe.

7. Questions concerning investigations into internal oversights

   Q: Referring to yesterday's report on the difficulties that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had, on the one hand, it explains a lot, but on the other hand, to me, it does not explain anything. For instance, on the matter of the identification card for the Congolese diplomat, it says that the Ministry was influenced by Mr. Muluaka, and the measure the Ministry will take is not to be influenced anymore in the future. Can you explain this? Why would the Ministry be influenced by the secretary of a Diet member who has no formal relationship with the Ministry? Foreign Minister Kawaguchi herself has said that there was an 'atmosphere' that had to be worked through the realization of the wishes of Mr. Suzuki. Concerning the issuance of an identification card for a diplomat, it seems to me that there are very clear rules and that there is no 'atmosphere' involved. Can you explain how a certain 'atmosphere' apparently led to a certain procedure?

   Mr. Hattori: With regard to that issue, not everything has yet been clarified. If you go through the report issued yesterday about the matters pertaining to the Congolese gentlemen in question, also involving some diplomats dispatched by the Congolese Government, not everything has been cleared up. There are so many people that are involved in that matter internally in this Ministry. I understand that the relevant people have been interviewed, but, again, I do not think that everything has been clarified.

   To my understanding, Mr. Muwete Muluaka is actually out of reach. I believe there are still some points that need clarification. With regard to atmosphere, well since it is 'atmosphere' it is very difficult to explain.

   Q: I think it is something different than atmosphere. The Vice Minister gave an interesting hint, he used the word "jubaku." The last time that this word was often in the newspapers was with sokaiya problems with the banks. There is even a movie called "jubaku." Is there any intimidation involved in creating this certain atmosphere?

   Mr. Hattori: I personally have not had that kind of experience with the parliamentarian in question, so I am not in a position to say anything about whether there is any kind of intimidation or not.

   Q: Japan is supposed to be a country under the rule of law, but this seems to indicate that it is not the rule of law but the rule of atmosphere. What exactly are the measures that are going to be taken to create this system so that the expressions of a certain person will not have an influence anymore?

   Mr. Hattori: You mean the relationship between the legislature and the administration?

   Q: Yes, what are the concrete measures that the Ministry is going to take to create that new system?

   Mr. Hattori: Several days ago, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi announced a robust reform plan for the Ministry containing 10 points, amongst which the relationship between parliamentarians, or rather the legislature, and the administration forms one of the top priority areas for reform. Tomorrow morning there will be the first meeting of a committee whose terms of references are to come up with detailed measures on each of the 10 points for reform, and of course the terms of reference do not exclude other points, should there be need.

   I would like to say that this problem is not unique to the relationship between this Ministry and the legislature; it is a relationship between Kasumigaseki and Nagatacho. There have already been some views expressed by parliamentarians on this issue. This is a very important issue-the number one priority that we have to resolve so that the administration can perform on a merit basis and so the legislature can perform its role. Of course, we do not intend to come up with something that is going to divide two branches of the state. As you know, there are three branches, and each of them is supposed to exercise check and balance functions. Our view is that the relationship, particularly between the legislature and the administration, should be streamlined. That is the aim of our exercise, which will start as of tomorrow. That committee is supposed to come up with an interim report, within three months at the latest, and so we hope that the members of that committee will produce workable ideas on this issue. At this point in time I have nothing further to say regarding what kind of relationship between ourselves and the parliamentarians is most ideal.

   Q: You refer to checks and balances. Do you mean there are no proper systems of checks and balances between Kasumigaseki and Nagatacho?

   Mr. Hattori: Of course, there are such systems. In that sense, Japan is the same as your country. Although there are check and balance systems, there is always room for improvement. Moreover, not only checks and balances, but cooperation is also necessary.

8. Question on the situation in the Middle East

   Q: You issued a statement on the escalation of the situation in Palestinian areas. Despite all of these calls by the Government of Japan for the parties involved to cease the violence and return to negotiations, the situation is escalating. Do you think there should be more measures implemented, such as sending in international observers or applying international embargoes on arms, so that the international community can see the situation calmed?

   Mr. Hattori: Very recently we saw Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announce a new proposal for the peaceful solution of the problem, and I issued a statement welcoming that proposal. At this point in time, yes, there is an escalation of violence in the region, and we are very much worried about that. To that end, in order to solve the problem, we hope that the Saudi proposal will be able to form a very viable basis for talks between the parties concerned.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
9. Question on a visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen

   Q: Do you have any details about the visit of the Foreign Minister of Yemen?

   Mr. Hattori: I do not have anything on that matter. Please follow it up with my staff after this conference.

   Related Information (Japan-Yemen Relations)