Press Conference 2 July 2002

1. Entry into Force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
2. Successful closing of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan
3. Follow-up question regarding reportage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan
4. Questions in relation to the visit to Japan by President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea

1. Entry into Force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

   Assistant Press Secretary Daisuke Matsunaga: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have a few handouts, which probably have already been distributed to you, and I have a few announcements as well. First, on the International Criminal Court (ICC):

   The Government of Japan welcomes the entry into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the first of its kind in world history.

   Japan has consistently supported the establishment of the ICC and has played a constructive role in the preparatory process.

   Japan is now examining the articles of the ICC Statute and legal measures taken by other states in accepting the instrument, so as to ensure the compatibility between the Statute and Japan's domestic law. Japan intends to accelerate this process.

   Related Information (Transnational Organized Crime)
   
2. Successful closing of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan

   Mr. Matsunaga: My second announcement is about the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea.

   We are very pleased that the World Cup tournament successfully came to a close. The historic joint co-hosting by Japan and the Republic of Korea also brought the two countries even closer together. It was good to see Japanese young people cheering for the Korean team.

   I have already passed out copies of the "Joint Message Toward the Future" by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Kim Dae-Jung put out yesterday that was subtitled "Beyond the Successful Co-hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan".

   In this connection, I also lightheartedly inserted copies of an article from a Japanese-language edition of Newsweek. The article praises the way Japanese supporters enjoyed the soccer games. The writer of the article says that he was moved when he saw Japanese supporters applaud the Turkish team that beat the Japanese team-a kind of scene that is rarely seen anywhere.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
3. Follow-up question regarding reportage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan

   Q: This is an interesting article, but why are you sharing it with us?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Well, people often pay attention to newspaper articles that portray Japan in an unfair or biased manner, though it is really unusual to single out articles that describe Japan in a favorable light. This is something that we Japanese are not aware of, but someone that is looking at Japan from a fresh viewpoint points out Japan's strengths and something we can be proud of, and that is something quite reassuring. We often think about how to make rebuttals against unfavorable treatment of Japan and the Japanese people in the media, but we rarely pay attention to favorable articles, and so, lightheartedly, I decided to share this article with you.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
4. Questions in relation to the visit to Japan by President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea

   Q: I could not find out news about the arrival of President Kim Dae-Jung on the website. I could not get the schedule of his visit. Is there any reason you did not post information about the arrival of President Kim Dae-Jung on the website?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Sometimes for security reasons not all the details of the schedules of visiting dignitaries are disclosed. However, with respect to this specific case, I am sorry but I do not know why the detailed schedule was not available on the website.

   Q: What section is responsible for putting all the news on the website?

   Mr. Matsunaga: The Japanese-language website is handled by the Domestic Public Relations Division while the English-language website is handled by the Overseas Public Relations Division.

   Q: Because recently the 'Anzen Sodan Center' announced that they would stop publishing a paper bulletin and they would put all the news on the website.

   Mr. Matsunaga: According to my colleague, the detailed schedule of President Kim Dae-Jung's visit was not announced-neither in English nor in Japanese-although the visit itself was announced sometime last week. Thus, except for President Kim Dae-Jung's attendance at the World Cup closing ceremony and his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, further details were not disclosed, even in Japanese. However, I can be helpful to you if you have any further questions about the meeting between the leaders.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of His Excellency President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea and Mrs. Kim Dae-jung)