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Press Conference 21 June 2002

1. Decision taken by the Cabinet to salvage unidentified sunken ship off the southwest coast of Kyushu
2. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announces new initiative regarding solidarity between Japan and Africa
3. Question on why Africa is so important to Japan

1. Decision taken by the Cabinet to salvage unidentified sunken ship off the southwest coast of Kyushu

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have a few announcements to make today.

   First, an important decision was made in the Cabinet meeting this morning concerning the salvage of the ship of unidentified nationality that was sunk in waters southwest of Kyushu. I will announce the policy of the Government of Japan in this regard, which was determined this morning.

   This incident, which occurred at sea in the southwest of Japan in December 2001, has convinced the Government of Japan that we are in a situation where unidentified ships operate in the seas surrounding Japan and that Japan's safety could be under serious threat.

   Since the occurrence of the incident, investigations have been made by the relevant authorities. In order to fully uncover the truth, however, it is necessary to salvage the sunken ship.

   In order to discharge this, the most important duty of the Government, namely securing the safety of Japanese nationals, and to respond to the commitment toward the Japanese people, the Government of Japan has decided to swiftly act toward salvaging the unidentified ship.

2. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announces new initiative regarding solidarity between Japan and Africa

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: Secondly, yesterday, in a meeting with the African diplomatic corps in Tokyo, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced a new initiative regarding solidarity between Japan and Africa. I believe you have some handouts in front of you on this matter.

   The reason why Prime Minister Koizumi made this announcement is that he will be attending the G8 Summit next week in Kananaskis, Canada, at which the most important item on the agenda is scheduled to be Africa.

   At the Summit, the leaders will discuss how the G8 countries will collaborate with African countries. This idea developed from dialogues conducted between the G8 leaders and leaders of developing countries on the occasion of previous G8 Summits, a practice that was first initiated by Japan at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in 2000.

   The Government of Japan has conducted a serious study on what the needs of the African countries are and has compiled a paper entitled "Solidarity Between Japan and Africa -- Concrete Actions."

   I would like to draw your attention to some of the highlights in the Initiative. First, Japan attaches much importance to human-centered development, recognizing that the development of human resources is the foundation of nationbuilding. Japan has been extending its assistance with emphasis upon education and health in this spirit.

   In particular, Japan announced its Basic Education for Growth Initiative, or BEGIN. In addition, Japan announced its decision to extend assistance in the field of education worth more than US$2 billion over the next five years to low-income countries, including those in Africa.

   Second, Japan believes that in order to reduce hunger and poverty and to achieve sustainable development in Africa, it is necessary not only to utilize Official Development Assistance (ODA) but also to mobilize a wide variety of financial resources, including domestic capital, trade, and investment.

   In this regard, Japan is trying to improve market access for products from developing countries. Currently, almost all industrial products of Less Developed Countries (LDC) are offered duty-free and quota-free access -- a result of an expansion of product coverage in April 2001.

   Japan has decided to consider immediately expanding coverage under duty-free and quota-free treatment of products of LDCs through revisions of tariff-related laws for the next fiscal year, which begins on 1 April 2003.

   Third, Japan is determined to support African countries recovering from conflict so that they will not slacken in their efforts for conflict resolution and peace-building.

   Japan, for instance, has recently decided to extend US$3.09 million in assistance, through the Trust Fund for Human Security, to the project for reintegration of ex-combatants in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

   Japan is also considering taking measures to support the Republic of Angola, which has just recovered from a long civil war.

   Related Information (Japan-Africa Relations)
   
3. Question on why Africa is so important to Japan

   Q: Since Africa is going to be one of the most important topics at the G8 Summit, I would like to ask you if Japan is planning to make efforts to explain why Africa is so important to the general public in Japan, so that they can understand why the government is planning to contribute to their cause.

   Mr. Hisaeda: Yes, we have been trying and will continue to try our best to make our people understand why it is so important now for us to think seriously about our support for Africa. We will try to take every opportunity to explain that to our people. In this regard, if you have any further questions, I would suggest that you contact the First African Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   By the way, during yesterday's meeting that I just spoke about between Prime Minister Koizumi and the African diplomatic corps in Tokyo, 29 Ambassadors and Charges d'Affaires attended. I understand that there are 30 African embassies in Tokyo, so I think that turnout was very good.

   Related Information (Japan-Africa Relations)