Press Conference 7 May 2002
- Statement concerning the situation in the Union of Myanmar and the lifting of restrictions on the movements of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
- Questions concerning status of Taiwan
- Questions on Government of Myanmar's lifting of restrictions on foreign journalists
- Questions on Baluchanung No. 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project
- Question concerning travel to the Republic of India
- Questions on travel advisory changes
- Statement concerning the situation in the Union of Myanmar and the lifting of restrictions on the movements of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. In light of the significance of what has happened in Myanmar over the last few days I would like to express the position of the Government of Japan on this issue.
The Government of Japan greatly welcomes that the Government of the Union of Myanmar has lifted the restrictions on the movements of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 6 May as a result of the confidence-building that has accumulated between the two sides.
This move presents evidence that a significant step has been taken towards democratization by the Government of Myanmar and we would like to express our respect for this decisive step taken by the leaders of the Government. Furthermore we would like to praise most highly the role played by United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy H. E. Razali Ismail in promoting confidence-building between the Government of Myanmar and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Government of Japan has expected to see concrete progress without delay in the dialogue between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. At every opportunity we have conveyed this view to the Government of Myanmar. We expect that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as now being ensured to engage freely in political activities, will play a constructive role towards national reconciliation in Myanmar together with all the relevant parties, including ethnic groups.
Our stance is to support efforts towards democratization and nation-building in Myanmar, and from this perspective we will implement cooperation for the Baluchanung No. 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project. Should it be the case that the democratization process is further accelerated, the Government of Japan will support the efforts towards nation-building in a more active manner.
Related Information (Japan-Myanmar Relations)
- Questions concerning the status of Taiwan
Q: The Democratic Party's Secretary General Naoto Kan in Shanghai stated that Taiwan should be permitted to join United Nations and that this is not contray to the one China policy. What is your comment about that?
Mr. Hattori: I have no particular comments to make on a statement made by a political leader. We have no comments on that.
Q: Is this contrary to the Japanese Government's policy of one China?
Mr. Hattori: On my part, I do not have the full text of that statement made by Mr. Kan in Shanghai, so I have no basis on which to make comments. I do not think it is necessary for me to reiterate our position on the one China policy.
Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
- Questions on Government of Myanmar's lifting of restrictions on foreign journalists
Q: I just returned from Myanmar and I had a heck of a time with the visa, and I wonder if they said anything about lifting the peculiar attitude toward journalists?
Mr. Hattori: I understand that over the last few days preceding the lifting of the restrictions enforced on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that the Government of Myanmar has eased a little the procedures and restrictions imposed on foreign journalists.
Q: That was just for the announcement. Did you hear anything else?
Mr. Hattori: No, I have not heard anything on that.
Related Information (Japan-Myanmar Relations)
- Questions on Baluchanung No. 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project
Q: Can you give us any details about the government's plans for cooperating for the Baluchanung Project in Myanmar?
Mr. Hattori: About the Baluchanung No. 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project, I think the details have already been announced. To my understanding, this project is going to be carried out through grant assistance and, in order for the Government to deliver any particular grant assistance, that must be approved in a Cabinet meeting. I understand, however, that the Cabinet has already approved this project. I do not have the details on the amount and where or when the project will be carried out, but, as I said at the outset, this is something that has already been decided.
Q: So the decision has been made and now is at the stage of implementation?
Mr. Hattori: I understand that there was a significant amount of research undertaken before the Government made its decision, so the procedure that should follow is to enter into a bilateral agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Myanmar.
Q: Do you know which district it is in?
Mr. Hattori: I do not know exactly where it is. I will ask my staff to provide you with that information.
Related Information (Japan-Myanmar Relations)
- Question concerning travel to the Republic of India
Q: Recently India cut visas on arrival for entering India for the citizens of more than half of 50 nations, and I was wondering if there was any effect on Japan? I did not see the list, they only mention a couple of the countries, but Japan still is free, there is no problem for entry?
Mr. Hattori: I do not have that information. If, as you said, Japan should happen to be one of the countries listed for further restrictions, there may have been some problems, but this is the first I have heard of that.
Related Information (Japan-India Relations)
- Questions on travel advisory changes
Q: And also the advisory, you have lifted that completely, the travel advisory?
Mr. Hattori: To India?
Q: No, to every country. Do you still do that?
Mr. Hattori: Yes, we still have the travel advisory system, which we just improved before entering the Golden Week holidays. So we have changed to a new system, and information on what the new system is all about is available in English. If you would like, I will also ask my assistant to provide you with that information. So we still have an advisory system, but it has changed a little.
Q: And improved?
Mr. Hattori: Yes, that is our intention, to improve it, to make it clearer and more understandable. Also, the principle that we have tried to implement is that, with regard to security problems, wherever Japanese nationals travel abroad, we are asking them to take responsibility. That is the most important thing.
Q: I know the American Embassy has a travel advisory, but that is our own responsibility.
Mr. Hattori: Yes. That is something that has been lacking with our previous travel advisory system, and that is something we wanted to add.
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