Press Conference 17 December 2004

1. Upcoming visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa to New York, United States of America
2. The Third Japan-China Economic Partnership Consultation
3. Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005
4. Question concerning possible visit to the Russian Federation by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura
5. Questions concerning visit to Japan by former "President" Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan

1. Upcoming visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa to New York, United States of America

   Assistant Press Secretary Akira Chiba: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming to this briefing session. Today, I would like to share with you three pieces of information.

   The first one, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa will visit New York from 19 to 22 December of this year. In New York, Mr. Aisawa will meet Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan to discuss about cooperation vis-a-vis the realization of UN and Security Council reform. They will also discuss about matters such as Iraq.

   At the same time, Mr. Aisawa will attend a meeting composed of nations interested in UN and Security Council reform on 21 December as one of the efforts to cooperate broadly with countries interested in strengthening the UN, in particular, reforming the Security Council.

   During his stay, Mr. Aisawa will also meet people like President of the UN General Assembly Jean Ping as well as dignitaries from the Group of Four (G4), meaning the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of India and the Federative Republic of Brazil to discuss about UN and Security Council reform.

   Mr. Aisawa is scheduled to leave on 19 December and come back on 23 December.

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2. The Third Japan-China Economic Partnership Consultation

   Mr. Chiba: The second piece of information concerns the People's Republic of China.

   The Third Japan-China Economic Partnership Consultation will be held in Beijing, China on 21 December. The Japanese delegation will be headed by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Fujisaki, accompanied by officials from various ministries of the Government of Japan.

   From the Chinese side, Vice Minister of Commerce An Min of the People's Republic of China will lead the delegation. At the discussion, they will discuss about bilateral economic relationship and also, cooperation in the East Asian region within the multilateral framework.

   Prior to the Partnership Consultation, there will be a working-level meeting between Deputy Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Shinichi Nishimiya of the Foreign Ministry and his counterpart to discuss about matters concerning trade and investment.

   The Japan-China Economic Partnership Consultation was agreed upon between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the then-Premier Zhu Rongji of China. It was agreed in April 2002 to discuss the future of Japan-China economic relations centering on trade and investment in order to find problems as early as possible, to prevent disputes from arising and at the same time, to strengthen the mutual complementarity of the two economies.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
3. Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005

   Mr. Chiba: The third and final piece of information concerns the Republic of Korea (ROK).

   The committee for the Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005 announced today that the theme song for the events taking place next year is going to be "Dance With Me," Korean/Japanese version, sung by Chemistry on the Japanese side and Lena Park on the Korean side. This song will be launched next year on 28 January at a pop concert that will be held by the two countries in Seoul. Information concerning the events that will take place in the Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005 is available at www.jkcf.or.jp/friendship2005/.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
4. Question concerning possible visit to the Russian Federation by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura

   Q: Can you confirm the report that Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura plans to visit the Russian Federation, possibly from 30 January to meet his Russian counterpart?

   Mr. Chiba: President Vladimir Putin of Russia is scheduled to visit Japan next year, and it is agreed upon between the two countries that there will be a foreign ministers' meeting prior to President Putin's visit to Japan. As to when this will take place, we are still trying to consolidate with the Russian side. No date has been set at this stage.

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5. Questions concerning visit to Japan by former "President" Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan

   Q: Regarding former "President" Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan's visit to Japan on 27 December, there are some voices from China. What is your reply to this?

   Mr. Chiba: Mr. Lee Teng-hui expressed his intention to visit Japan at the end of this month. After considering his request, under the conviction that his visit will not concern any political activities, the Japanese Government decided that if he applies for a visa, the Japanese Government is ready to provide him with one. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi visited Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi yesterday, and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei of China talked with Japanese Ambassador to China Koreshige Anami. They expressed their views concerning this issue. The Japanese side responded by reiterating more or less what I said now, that concerning the characteristic of this visit being that of sightseeing, Japan is ready to issue a visa when an application is made.

   Q: I want to make sure. Has the Japanese Government received any formal application?

   Mr. Chiba: To date, no formal application has been issued.

   Related Information (Taiwan)