Press Conference 21 November 2003

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on bombing incidents in Istanbul, Turkey
2. Question concerning regional security situation
3. Question concerning dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq
4. Questions concerning security precautions in Japan

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on bombing incidents in Istanbul, Turkey

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to this briefing. Today I would like to make one announcement before taking questions.

   In the wake of terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey again, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi issued a statement condemning this incident, in which she said as follows:

   "I am terribly shocked and deeply indignant at the bombing incidents that occurred in the city of Istanbul, Turkey, on 20 November, which followed the two previous bombing incidents on 15 November. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families and heartfelt sympathy for those who were killed and injured in these incidents.

   Japan firmly condemns terrorist acts that victimize innocent people and expresses strong solidarity with the people of Turkey who are facing these serial terrorist attacks. Japan is determined to continue working with the international community for the elimination of terrorism.

   The Government of Japan will also continue to do its utmost to secure the safety of Japanese residents and travelers overseas."

   I would like to add that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued another travel advisory on this terrorist attack for the Japanese travelers who are going to this area urging them to take utmost caution not to be victimized in this kind of terrorist attack by taking precautionary measures such as avoid going to crowded areas.

   Related Information (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Bombing Incidents in Istanbul, Turkey)
   Related Information (Message from Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom Jack Straw concerning the bombings in Istanbul)
   
2. Question concerning regional security situation

   Q: In connection with this war on terrorism, is Japan willing to take a bigger role in securing this region of Southeast Asia and this part of East Asia?

   Mr. Takashima: We are supporting the idea of the international anti-piracy arrangement which is now being considered by the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and neighboring countries including Japan and the Republic of Korea. That is one of the major activities which would be related to the prevention of terrorism or counterterrorism actions.

   In addition, various measures are being taken. For example, Singapore and Japan will soon conduct joint maritime safety exercises to prevent any sort of transportation or communications smuggling of materials and technologies related to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and other hazardous materials as well as narcotics.

   At the time of the Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, the Basic Document will be adopted in which all nations participating in this special meeting would join in condemning the terrorism and express their determination to combat this emergence of terrorism in today's world.

   We - and by this I mean all the participating countries - will express our determination to fight against terrorism by whatever means available to us.

   Related Information (Counter Terrorism)
   
3. Question concerning dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq

   Q: The violence is escalating and the bomb last night is a strong message from the terrorists. With this, will Japan review its decision to send Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan is still studying how to utilize the ability of the SDF to assist in Iraq's reconstruction and rehabilitation. We have already sent study teams to Iraq and its vicinity.

   Based upon those reports from them as well as other information to be collected by the Government, the Government of Japan will decide when and how and in what size, the Self-Defense Forces would be dispatched for the assistance of the humanitarian and reconstruction effort in Iraq. However, no date has been set yet.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
4. Questions concerning security precautions in Japan

   Q: In the wake of the Turkey attack, do you think that there will be an attack on Tokyo?

   Mr. Takashima: We are aware that some alleged terrorist group made some kind of pre-warning saying that the "heart of Tokyo" would be a target of terrorist attack. Since this kind of warning has been given to us, the Government of Japan has taken necessary precautions against it. However, we do not know exactly what organization filed this warning or what it might mean. Therefore, we are conducting the necessary analysis of the warning and studying the possibility of the connection with existing terrorist groups to this.

   Q: Could you give us an idea of what these precautionary measures are? Would they be something like the ones adopted in the United States with the entry forms? And what about the movement of people around Japan?

   Mr. Takashima: There are no specific measures that can be announced to anybody, but we are strengthening our activities, for example, surveillance and checks at entry points all over Japan. However, there is no restriction being applied to the movement of people in the country.

   Q: Would visa rules be tightened?

   Mr. Takashima: So far there is no plan for such.