Press Conference 14 November 2003

1. Recent trip by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to Malaysia and Lao People's Democratic Republic
2. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's meetings with Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo of the People's Republic of China and with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran
3. Signing of Japan-Viet Nam Investment Agreement
4. Inauguration of new Cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie of the Palestinian Authority (PA)
5. Upcoming visit to Japan by President Natsagiyn Bagabandi of Mongolia
6. Upcoming visit to Japan by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly of the United States of America
7. Election of Mr. Yukio Takasu, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, as next Chairperson of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

1. Recent trip by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to Malaysia and Lao People's Democratic Republic

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon. Today I have several announcements to make.

   Firstly, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi returned to Tokyo yesterday from her four-day trip to Malaysia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. During this trip, she met with the Foreign Ministers of both countries, in addition to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia and Vice President Choummaly Saiyasone of Laos.

   Foreign Minister Kawaguchi discussed a wide range of topics including bilateral issues, the Iraqi situation, the North Korean situation and the forthcoming Japan-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Commemorative Summit scheduled to be held in Tokyo next month. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi was pleased to learn that there were high expectations to this historic summit among the leaders of ASEAN countries and expressed her determination to make this meeting a successful one.

   Related Information (Japan-Malaysia Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Laos Relations)
   
2. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's meetings with Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo of the People's Republic of China and with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran

   Mr. Takashima: Upon her return, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi has a very busy day today in Tokyo. She met with Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo of the People's Republic of China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for about an hour earlier today. They discussed Sino-Japan relations, the North Korean situation, six-party talks, and Taiwan.

   Foreign Minister Kawaguchi is scheduled to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran this afternoon in this building. They are expected to discuss the issues related to the Iranian nuclear development program, the international situation including Iraq, and bilateral relations between Japan and Iran.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Iran Relations)
   
3. Signing of Japan-Viet Nam Investment Agreement

   Mr. Takashima: In between these meetings, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi attended the signing ceremony of the Japan-Viet Nam Investment Agreement.

   The Agreement between Japan and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for the Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment was signed today between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc.

   The Agreement, in principle, guarantees national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment to the investors and their investments of both countries at the stage of pre-investment. This Agreement prohibits the respective authorities from imposing a so-called "performance requirement" to provide the rules in terms of liberalization, promotion and protection of investment in a comprehensive manner. The Agreement is expected to contribute to creating a more transparent and favorable environment for the investors in each country and thereby even further reinforcing their bilateral economic relationship.

   Related Information (PDF)
   Related Information (Signing of Japan-Viet Nam Investment Agreement)
   
4. Inauguration of new Cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie of the Palestinian Authority (PA)

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the inauguration of Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and his Cabinet.

   Prime Minister Koizumi has sent a congratulatory note to Palestinian Prime Minister Qurie on the occasion of the inauguration of Prime Minister Qurie and his Cabinet on 12 November. Japan welcomes the inauguration of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Qurie is one of those Palestinians who have made efforts for a peaceful solution of the Middle East peace process with Israel.

   The "Roadmap" which indicates a path toward co-existence of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, is now at a critical stage. The Government of Japan strongly hopes that Prime Minister Qurie will work proactively, in accordance with the "Roadmap", to end violence and promote the reform of the Palestinian Authority. Japan will continue its active support and assistance to Prime Minister Qurie's efforts toward the success of the "Roadmap" and nation building.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Inauguration of a New Cabinet of the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie)
   
5. Upcoming visit to Japan by President Natsagiyn Bagabandi of Mongolia

   Mr. Takashima: Then, an announcement about the visit to Japan by President Natsagiyn Bagabandi of Mongolia.

   President Bagabandi and his wife will pay an official working visit to Japan from 3 to 8 December.

   During their stay in Japan, President Bagabandi and his wife will make a State Call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. The President will also have a meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi.

   The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Bagabandi and his wife which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and Mongolia.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. N. Bagabandi, President of Mongolia, and Mrs. A. Oyunbileg (Announcement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs))
   
6. Upcoming visit to Japan by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly of the United States of America

   Mr. Takashima: Another announcement is the visit to Japan by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly of the United States of America.

   US Assistant Secretary of State Kelly will be visiting Japan from 16 to 18 November. He will be meeting with Mr. Mitoji Yabunaka, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, to hold an unofficial consultation on North Korean issues. He will also be meeting with other Japanese high officials during his stay in Tokyo.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
7. Election of Mr. Yukio Takasu, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, as next Chairperson of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

   Mr. Takashima: Finally, an announcement in conjunction with nuclear disarmament.

   At the 21st session of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) held on 13 November, Mr. Yukio Takasu, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, was elected as the next Chairperson of the Preparatory Commission. He will assume the post for a year from January 2004.

   Ambassador Takasu's election resulted from the high appreciation of his contribution to and achievements for the Preparatory Commission.

   Japan welcomes and takes very seriously this election as a reflection of great expectation from the Commission for Japan's further contribution. As the only country in the world to have suffered the tragedy of atomic bombing, Japan has been working for the CTBT's early entry into force and to promote nuclear disarmament and to improve Japan's security environment, and has therefore been consistently and strongly supporting the activities of the Preparatory Commission.

   Taking the opportunity of Ambassador Takasu's election, Japan intends to make further contributions for the early entry into force of the CTBT.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Election of Mr. Yukio Takasu, Japanese Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, as the Chairperson Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization)