Press Conference 30 January 2004

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on recent suicide bombing in Israel
2. Measures to prevent further spread of avian influenza
3. Upcoming visit by Mr. Yukio Okamoto, Special Advisor of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, to French Republic and Federal Republic of Germany

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on recent suicide bombing in Israel

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon. Today I have three announcements I would like to make.

   The first announcement is the statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on the suicide bombing in Israel, in which she said as follows:

   Japan was gravely shocked by the suicide bombing that occurred in central Jerusalem on the morning of 29 January and caused many deaths and injuries. I extend my sincere sympathy for those who died in the incident, condolences to the bereaved families, and heartfelt sympathy to the many injured persons. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan reiterates its firm condemnation against brutal terrorist attacks that victimize the lives of many innocent people.

   Japan is deeply concerned that the Middle East peace is making little progress. It is regrettable that the armed attack carried out by the Israeli forces on the Gaza strip on 28 January killed and injured civilians. Japan is strongly concerned that the situation will worsen if the cycle of violence continues.

   To avoid further deterioration of this situation, Japan urges the Palestinian Authority to quickly launch a crackdown on the extremists, which is the most urgent issue facing it, and to produce results steadily. Japan also strongly expects Israel to exercise utmost self-restraint to calm down the situation.

   Serious efforts are being made by the international community to promote peace. Part of these international efforts is the current visit to the Middle East of Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, Japan's Special Envoy for Peace in the Middle East. Japan strongly hopes that both parties concerned will resume dialogue, in response to the concern of the international community, and promote their efforts in accordance with the "Roadmap".

   Related Information (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Suicide Bombing in Israel)
   
2. Measures to prevent further spread of avian influenza

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is on the avian influenza.

   In the wake of the rapid spread of the avian flu, or bird flu, in East Asia, the Government of Japan is determined to actively participate in the international effort to prevent the further spread of this disease.

   We will implement the measures called upon at the international conference on avian flu held in the Kingdom of Thailand on 28 January, that include securing transparency, efforts to help countries which are less capable of coping with the bird flu, and constant and rapid information exchange.

   Japan has already provided the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam with medical goods and equipment, and dispatched experts to a survey team of the World Health Organization (WHO). Japan will assist the needs of the countries affected to cooperate with them while coordinating the related ministries and agencies to take every possible measure.

   Related Information (Japan Donates Medicine to Vietnam against Avian Influenza)
   
3. Upcoming visit by Mr. Yukio Okamoto, Special Advisor of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, to French Republic and Federal Republic of Germany

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is on the visit of Special Advisor of the Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Okamoto.

   Special Advisor of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Mr. Okamoto, will visit the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany from 1 to 5 February to hold consultations with the officials of each government on the cooperation with Japan for the reconstruction of Iraq.

   These consultations and joint cooperation between Japan and France and between Japan and Germany are part of Japan's effort to strengthen the international effort to assist Iraq and are intended to follow up the understanding to start talks on this issue between Japan and these two countries.

   This understanding was reached between the leaders of France and Germany and former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto when he visited the two countries last month as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Japan.

   Related Information (Japan-France Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Germany Relations)