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Press Conference 26 March 2002

  1. Visit to Japan by Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)
  2. Letters from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Arab leaders on the eve of the Arab Summit Meeting
  3. Symposium on Japan's Economic Structural Reform
  4. Questions concerning a visit by Prime Minister Koizumi to the People's Republic of China
  5. Question concerning dialogue between the Japanese Red Cross Society and the North Korean Red Cross Society
  6. Question regarding a visit to Japan by Vice Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China
  1. Visit to Japan by Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)

    Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I have three announcements, starting with an announcement on the visit to Japan by Mr. Abu Ala, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

    Mr. Abu Ala will visit Japan from 27 to 30 March at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    During his stay in Japan, Mr. Abu Ala will meet high-ranking officials of the Government of Japan and relevant figures of the Diet to explain to them the current situation in the Palestinian territories and the position of the Palestinians on peace in the Middle East. Mr. Abu Ala will carry a letter from President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

    Related Information (Japan-Palestinian Authorities Relations)
  2. Letters from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Arab leaders on the eve of the Arab Summit Meeting

    Mr. Hattori: Yesterday, Prime Minister Koizumi sent personal letters to some of the Arab leaders, as well as to President Arafat. Prime Minister Koizumi wrote of his strong wish that a constructive message would be sent out in one voice for peace in the Middle East at the Arab Summit to be held on 27 and 28 March in Beirut.

    I think you have a document that explains the gist of the letter.

    Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
  3. Symposium on Japan's Economic Structural Reform

    Mr. Hattori: Secretary-General Donald Johnston of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will visit Japan from 3 to 8 April.

    During Secretary-General Johnston's stay in Japan, and in his honor, Keidanren, the OECD, and Nihon Keizai Shimbun will jointly host the "Symposium on Japan's Economic Structural Reforms".

    At this symposium, distinguished guests, such as Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Heizou Takenaka and also, of course, Secretary-General Johnston, will deliver keynote speeches, and the participants will discuss the current state of Japan's economy, particularly focusing on economic structural reform of the Japanese economy.

    There will be a simultaneous interpretation service provided, and you are very welcome to attend the symposium.

    Related Information (Japan and OECD)
  4. Questions concerning a visit by Prime Minister Koizumi to the People's Republic of China

    Q: There have been some reports that Prime Minister Koizumi will visit China next month, 12 and 13 April specifically. Can you say anything about that?

    Mr. Hattori: No, unfortunately, I have no comment on that.

    Q: But is he going? Is that possible?

    Mr. Hattori: On what occasion?

    Q: I am not quite sure what the occasion is. This would be 30 years of relations, and I suppose a visit might be connected to that.

    Mr. Hattori: Yes, since this is the thirtieth anniversary of the normalization of relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China, the idea of an eventual visit by Prime Minister Koizumi to China has been floated. That is what I can say at this moment.

    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
  5. Question concerning dialogue between the Japanese Red Cross Society and the North Korean Red Cross Society

    Q: Do you have any comment on the recent developments between Japan and North Korea? The North Korean Red Cross is saying that they will search for the so-called abductees. What are Japan's views on this? What might this lead to?

    Mr. Hattori: We have been informed by the Japanese Red Cross Society about the statement made by the North Korean Red Cross Society regarding the talks between the two Red Cross organizations. So, we would like to welcome that.

    As we have said previously, we see dialogue between the parties concerned as very much important for the normalization of relations, and we would like to welcome every opportunity to that effect. This is going to be a dialogue between the two Red Cross organizations and we would like to observe developments with great attention. The door for dialogue with the North Korean side is always open and we would like to see developments happen.

    When Prime Minister Koizumi visited the Republic of Korea last week, he had very good talks with President Kim Dae Jung. In particular, the leaders exchanged views about their respective policies toward North Korea. They have agreed that dialogue for the peaceful solution of the issues pending both between the Republic of Korea and North Korea and between Japan and North Korea is very important. So, we would like to pursue this path.

    Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
  6. Question regarding a visit to Japan by Vice Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China

    Q: Has it been finally decided where Wen Jiabao will travel outside Tokyo?

    Mr. Hattori: The details of the schedule have still not been finalized. It is still under consideration.

    Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
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