Press Conference 12 July 2002

1. Dispatch of mission to Afghanistan to develop demining technology
2. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the Republic of Korea
3. Questions concerning the situation in the Middle East
4. Question on Japanese Red Army members seeking return to Japan
5. Questions on travel advisory information services

1. Dispatch of mission to Afghanistan to develop demining technology

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

   The Government of Japan will dispatch a governmental mission to develop demining technology to Afghanistan from 13 to 18 July.

   The members of the mission will include officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and representatives of nonprofit organizations (NPOs).

   In light of Japan's past support for Afghanistan related to the problems of landmines, the missions will exchange opinions on the modality of future cooperation associated with the United Nations, the Government of Afghanistan, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others working on the ground. The mission also aims to obtain information necessary for developing technology to detect and remove landmines, something that Japan is pursuing. In addition, the mission will investigate whether the funds that Japan offers to international organizations to support demining measures in Afghanistan are being used appropriately and effectively.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   Related Information (Anti-Personnel Landmines)
   
2. Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Hisaeda: Second, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi will visit the Republic of Korea from 12 to 14 July. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi will have talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Choi Sung-Hong and pay a courtesy call on President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi is expected to have a frank exchange of views on policy toward North Korea in the light of recent events, including the gun battle in the Yellow Sea, and reconfirm the importance of maintaining and nourishing the atmosphere of friendship between Japan and the Republic of Korea, which has been mounting since the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

   Foreign Minister Kawaguchi will also visit Panmunjom and have an opportunity to hold a frank discussion with Korean students in Seoul.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
3. Questions concerning the situation in the Middle East

   Q: I wonder if you have any update about the visit to the United States by the Director of the Middle East Division?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Yes, I understand that Mr. Hiroyasu Ando, Director-General for the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, was in Washington DC to discuss the Middle East peace process with his counterpart, Mr. William Burns, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. But I do not know about the content of the talks.

   Q: Have they finished their talks yet?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Well, I can say that Mr. Ando has left the United States.

   Q: Is there something similar happening in London?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I know that Mr. Arata Fujii, Director of the First Middle East Division, is in London to discuss the Middle East peace process and support for the Palestinians with his counterparts from the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union, and the United Nations. I think representatives from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are also attending the meeting. That is all I have at this moment.

   Q: About two days ago, there was a speech on the Middle East by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. I would like to get some background on this.

   Mr. Hisaeda: I will check on that for you. As for Middle East peace, I would like to just briefly repeat the position of the Government of Japan on this issue. The processes of restoring security, providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, and accelerating peace negotiations must go hand in hand. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of the State of Israel and President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority that Japan is ready to play an active role in promoting these steps. In addition, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi presented Japan's road map for peace, which combines progress in the peace process with our assistance to the Palestinians and our plan for rebuilding and reforming the Palestinian Authority.

   Q: You mentioned that Japan wants to see some reforms from the Palestinian Authority. Can you give us more information about this issue? What kind of reforms does it want?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Our position is that democracy and security, the level of security, should be enhanced. That is something very important for us, in order to continue our support for the Palestinian people. We support the will of the Palestinians to carry out elections and reforms of the security and administrative apparatus of the Palestinian Authority. We believe that such reforms will help all the people concerned to achieve genuine peace in that region.

   For instance, we have extended quite a large amount of assistance to the Palestinians, but due to the fact that there have been conflicts in the region, many of the sites, including important buildings, have been destroyed. So now the Japanese people are beginning to doubt whether it is meaningful to continue such support. Now more people tend to believe that in order to continue our support for the Palestinians, it is important to improve the security situation. And of course, the responsibility lies with both the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
4. Question on Japanese Red Army members seeking return to Japan

   Q: I move to a North Korean issue: I think there were reports about Red Army members seeking return to Japan. Do you have any comments about this?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Certainly. We know that there is a report that the four hijackers who belong to the Red Army faction intend to return to Japan. However, no procedure has started yet. We cannot decisively conclude what kind of intention is behind such a move, but it is natural to believe that the intentions of North Korea played a certain role. Anyway, these four hijackers have committed the serious crime of hijacking, so when they return to Japan, measures will be taken in accordance with Japanese law.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
5. Questions on travel advisory information services

   Q: Last week, the 'Anzen Soudan Center' changed the way they disseminate news: they stopped publishing a paper bulletin and switched to Internet delivery. There has been a reduction in the amount of news. I would like you to follow up with them to see that they deliver all the news they have to the public.

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not know whether there has been such a reduction, but I will follow up on the situation. But, on our part, I doubt that there is any intention to limit the amount of news issued.

   Q: Is there any reason why the center has a separate website? The website should be combined or integrated with the website for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not know if there is any technical reason or any other explanation, but I will check that for you too.