Press Conference 24 December 2004

1. Upcoming visit to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of the Republic of Zambia and Mrs. Mwanawasa
2. Grassroots human security grant aid to Afghanistan
3. Report of the Council on the Movement of People across Borders
4. Questions concerning abduction issue
5. Questions concerning visit to Japan by Mr. Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan

1. Upcoming visit to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of the Republic of Zambia and Mrs. Mwanawasa

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make three announcements before I take questions.

   The first one is about the visit of the Zambian President to Japan.

   President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, and his wife will pay an official working visit to Japan from 17 to 21 January 2005.

   During their stay in Japan, the President and Mrs. Mwanawasa will make a State Call on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan who will host a Court Luncheon in honor of the President and his wife. The President will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

   The Government of Japan sincerely hopes that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of His Excellency Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of the Republic of Zambia and Mrs. Mwanawasa (Announcement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs))
   
2. Grassroots human security grant aid to Afghanistan

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the assistance for Afghanistan.

   The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant aid of up to a total of US$3.3 million for the projects to construct vocational training centers for former combatants in various regions in Afghanistan.

   Based on the recognition that it is extremely important to proceed with the demobilization of the ex-national army and armed factions in Afghanistan by Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) to consolidate peace in Afghanistan, Japan, as the leading country for the DDR of 100,000 ex-national army combatants has proactively provided assistance for that purpose. In light of the importance of supporting the DDR, in particular, Japan is conducting specific measures in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

   A total of ten vocational training centers will be constructed, and through these centers, former combatants will be able to acquire technical skills such as mechanical, welding, metal and carpentry techniques. It is expected that these former combatants will engage in economic activities so that the local society will be rehabilitated and stabilized, the DDR process will be accelerated and the consolidation of peace in Afghanistan will be further promoted.

   Related Information (Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid to Afghanistan)
   
3. Report of the Council on the Movement of People across Borders

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the report of the Council on the Movement of People across Borders.

   The English translation of the full report submitted by the Council on the Movement of People across Borders to the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been completed, and it is uploaded on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. I hope those who are interested will visit our website.

   Related Information [PDF]
   
4. Questions concerning abduction issue

   Q: My question is on North Korea. Today, I believe that the Government will announce what measures to take regarding their investigation on the materials it received from North Korea during the meeting last month. Based on the reports so far, there have been a lot of false documents. What sort of measures are you intending to take from now on? Can you specify what procedures?

   Mr. Takashima: Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda is planning to make an announcement at 16:00 this afternoon. I would rather like to refrain from speculating the content of the announcement at this moment.

   The basic policy of Japan is that firstly, we are very much disappointed with the initial result of the official tests conducted on the remains handed over to the Japanese delegation in Pyongyang as those of Ms. Megumi Yokota turned out to be false. We have already made a protest to the North Korean side and urged them to give us a full explanation on this incident. Other than that, I would like you to wait for the announcement to be made at 16:00.

   Q: Regarding this same issue, the North Korean media seems to be saying that the bones do belong to Ms. Megumi Yokota and that her husband wants the bones back. What is your reaction?

   Mr. Takashima: Our view will be given at 16:00.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
5. Questions concerning visit to Japan by Mr. Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan

   Q: Regarding the visit to Japan by former President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan, I believe he will arrive on Monday. Will the Foreign Ministry, the Government or the police in anyway be involved with the security of Mr. Lee?

   Mr. Takashima: Necessary measures will be taken, but since this will be a completely private visit of a private citizen, we would rather like to refrain from making any further comments.

   Q: May I ask what you mean by "necessary measures?"

   Mr. Takashima: Necessary measures are the measures necessary to protect Mr. Lee from being threatened, injured or attacked.

   Q: I heard reports that the Government has been asking the media to refrain from covering Mr. Lee's visit. Can you confirm this?

   Mr. Takashima: What I can confirm is that since this visit will completely be that of a private citizen, there is no political purpose at all. Any heavy coverage by the media might cause a kind of misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the visit. Therefore, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hosoda asked for the cooperation of the Japanese media to exercise self-restraint in their coverage. Also, Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura urged his fellow Diet members, especially members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), to not make appointments to meet with Mr. Lee.

   Related Information (Taiwan)