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Press Conference 19 April 2005

1. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
2. Second meeting of the Japan-Republic of Chile EPA/FTA joint research study group
3. Statement by Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Yoshitaka Murata concerning the Chinese Embassy and related institutions in Japan
4. Questions concerning compensation for damages inflicted on Japanese institutions in China
5. Questions concerning anti-Japan demonstrations in China
6. Questions concerning visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to Beijing, People's Republic of China
7. Questions concerning possible meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Hu Jintao of China in the Republic of Indonesia

1. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
   
   Assistant Press Secretary Akira Chiba: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make a couple of announcements before I take questions from you.
   
   The first announcement concerns the Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights.
   
   On 14 April, at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, a Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which Japan drafted and submitted in cooperation with the European Union (EU), was adopted by a majority, as was last year and the year before last.
   
   This year's Resolution, whose contents are stronger than last year's, for example in requesting the immediate return of the abductee's and urging other UN bodies, in particular the General Assembly, to take up the question of the situation of human rights in the DPRK if improvement of the situation is not observed, was adopted with more votes in support than last year. Japan appreciates the adoption as it demonstrates that the international community has come to share the view that the DPRK's human rights issues including the abduction issue are what the international community in concert should request the DPRK to solve.
   
   Japan strongly hopes that the DPRK will sincerely listen to the voice of the international community indicated in the resolution and truthfully make efforts for the improvement of human rights including the solution of the abduction issue and cooperation with the Special Rapporteur.
   
   Related Information (Press Release)
   
2. Second meeting of the Japan-Republic of Chile EPA/FTA joint research study group
   
   Mr. Chiba: My second announcement concerns a piece of information concerning the Japan-Republic of Chile economic partnership agreement (EPA)/free trade agreement (FTA) joint research study group.
   
   The second meeting of the Japan-Chile EPA/FTA joint research study group will be held in Santiago, Chile on 21 and 22 April. This meeting will be attended as was the first meeting by representatives of industries and government as well as academics of both countries. They are expected to exchange opinions concerning the economic and trade systems of both countries.
   
   Related Information (Japan-Chile Relations)
3. Statement by Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Yoshitaka Murata concerning the Chinese Embassy and related institutions in Japan
   
   Mr. Chiba: The third one is for your information. This is not an announcement from the Foreign Ministry. For your information, the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Mr. Yoshitaka Murata, made a statement at the Cabinet meeting this morning concerning the intensification of the guarding of the Chinese Embassy in Japan and related institutions, and the statement is roughly translated as this. This is a provisional translation:
   
   In view of the recent developments concerning the Japanese Embassy and Japanese enterprises in the People's Republic of China, we have been intensifying guard and security of the Chinese Embassy in Japan and other institutions related to China. However, it is regrettable that an incident occurred on 15 April where a paint-like substance was sprayed on the signboard of the main gate of the Ambassador's residence. Other seemingly related incidents are taking place sporadically. Under these circumstances, in order to prevent illegal activities, I (Murata) will instruct police authorities to thoroughly guard and secure the Chinese Embassy and related institutions.
   
   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
   
4. Questions concerning compensation for damages inflicted on Japanese institutions in China
   
   Q: I would like to confirm the reports I have been hearing through the Japanese media on Shanghai City offering to compensate for the damages inflicted on Japanese shops and restaurants there during the protest and on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs appropriated real estate firm which apparently is offering compensation for damages done to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. Could you give me your comment on these?
   
   Mr. Chiba: There were two questions asked, the first concerns the damage that was done to our Embassy in Beijing, the other concerns Japanese firms and related enterprises in Shanghai.
   
   As to the Embassy in Beijing, the company that you just mentioned, the company that takes care of realty under the Foreign Ministry of China, told us that they are ready to restore the original state of the premises without any cost.
   
   As to our reaction, we are still studying the matter, and I would like to refrain from going in to the details.
   
   Now, related to this, we have obtained information that Shanghai authorities have been asking Japanese restaurants owned by Japanese expatriates and others that they would like to compensate for the damages that were done. This, as I said, is the information that we have obtained too, but as to details, I would like to refrain from commenting. It is just that we would like the Chinese authorities to deal with the matter appropriately according to domestic legislation of China.
   
   Q: One follow-up question about the latest movement by the Chinese Government. You said that the Chinese Government is ready to restore the damage to the buildings. Could you tell us if the Japanese Government will take that offer as the compensation that Foreign Minister Machimura mentioned during the foreign ministerial talks?
   
   Mr. Chiba: As I said earlier, we are considering how to react to this offer, and I shall like to refrain from details at this stage.
   
   Q: Has the Chinese Government shown any timeframe or willingness to restore the Japanese Embassy in Beijing?
   
   Mr. Chiba: Timeframe? Not that I know of. I do not have that information.
   
   Q: Could you tell us when the Chinese Government showed their willingness?
   
   Mr. Chiba: All I can say is that it was quite recently. Sorry, that is all I can tell you.
   
   
5. Questions concerning anti-Japan demonstrations in China
   
   Q: What is the scenario that you see in front of you? Are you afraid that those demonstrations will get worse? Are you afraid that the Japanese people will get hurt or be killed? The second question is, do you think the Chinese authorities are doing the maximum? - Because some people in the Japanese streets say they do not do the maximum. Finally, do you think Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura's visit will solve the crisis?
   
   Mr. Chiba: There were a number of questions asked in the same breath.
   
   As to the intensification of the demonstrations, we sincerely hope that this will not be the case. There has been unconfirmed information that demonstrations might go on in the future, but we would like to ask the Chinese authorities to prevent this from happening, especially to secure the safety of Japanese nationals and enterprises active in that country.
   
   We regard that Foreign Minister Machimura's visit had some results, and I think this is being given out through news conferences given in Beijing. We have exchanged opinions concerning the latest developments, and we have made our proposals concerning what we should take as the next step. Diplomatic efforts are progressing steadily, and we would like to further our efforts in normalizing the situation.
   
   I may have missed one question that you asked.
   
   Q: Some people in the Japanese streets say the Chinese are not making enough efforts to stop it. Actually, they say they could have stopped it like this, but they do not do it. What do you think about it?
   
   Mr. Chiba: The Chinese Government has been telling us that they have put in much effort to prevent such things from happening. We are given explanation as to what the police were doing. While I would like to refrain from revealing the details, we will continue to ask the Chinese authorities to keep up with their efforts and prevent such an affair from repeating itself.
   
   Q: Since China has not offered any apology, is Japan ready to take further steps such as boycotting?
   
   Mr. Chiba: Japan has no policy of boycotting products or any such policy. We are of the view that the Chinese side is in a position to offer us an apology and compensation for the damage that has been extended to our institutions. This standpoint is not changed.
   
   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
   
6. Questions concerning visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to Beijing, People's Republic of China
   
   Q: Can it be said that the visit by Foreign Minister Machimura to Beijing did not have favorable results?
   
   Mr. Chiba: It depends on how you define the word "favorable." As far as the Foreign Ministry is concerned, we are of the opinion that it did have some outcomes.
   
   Q: Could you elaborate on what are "favorable results"?
   
   Mr. Chiba: Both sides explained to each other what we think about the situation, and both sides have stated clearly the viewpoints of the respective governments. In the flow of the discussions, the Foreign Minister repeated the standpoint made clear by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, which reads as follows:
   
   In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology. Allow me also to express my feelings of profound mourning for all victims, both at home and abroad, of that history.
   
   This is a statement given by then Prime Minister Murayama in 1995. The Foreign Minister referred to this standpoint and reaffirmed that the position of the Japanese Government remains unchanged.
   
   Q: There were conflicting news reports between Japan and China regarding whether Foreign Minister Machimura actually apologized or not. Could we take your answer to mean that Foreign Minister Machimura did offer an official apology during this visit?
   
   Mr. Chiba: Foreign Minister Machimura referred to the statement given by then Prime Minister Murayama in 1995 and reaffirmed that the position of the Government remains unchanged.
   
   Q: According to reports, Foreign Minister Machimura was scheduled to meet with Premier Wen Jiabao of China during his visit to China, but this was later cancelled. It was reported that Foreign Minister Machimura was upset about this event. Can you confirm this?
   
   Mr. Chiba: All meetings that were scheduled were not finalized until the last moment. As an outcome, the Foreign Minister had a chance to meet with his counterpart as well as State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan of China, who is in charge of foreign affairs. This is what the Chinese offered to us, and this is what we took.
   
   If I may, since I have not responded to all the fruits that the meeting had before another intervention was made, I would like to finish my statement concerning the fruits of Foreign Minister Machimura's meeting.
   
   Among the fruits, we agreed that we will promote the joint plan of action that we have shared for a while. The discussion about the joint plan of action started this January when Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Kenichiro Sasae of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited China. This has been progressing steadily, and both sides agreed that this shall be promoted. Another thing that both sides agreed was the promotion of security dialogue between the two countries. On UN reform, both sides agreed that the UN needed reform. These are the highlights of the fruits that we had from the ministerial talks.
   
   Q: Has the Chinese counterpart in any way stated their position on Japan's bid to join the UN Security Council?
   
   Mr. Chiba: There was no clear and direct statement on Japan's candidacy.
   
   
7. Questions concerning possible meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Hu Jintao of China in the Republic of Indonesia
   
   Q: Regarding the Asian-African Summit 2005 in the Republic of Indonesia, has the date or time been set? Is there any positive light on a meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Hu Jintao of China?
   
   Mr. Chiba: During Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Indonesia and to Bandung that is coming up later this week, Prime Minister Koizumi would like to meet with President Hu Jintao, but as to the concrete schedule, we are still trying to finalize it.
   
   Q: If the meeting is realized, would Prime Minister Koizumi have as his agenda something different from Foreign Minister Machimura's? Or will it be a similar agenda?
   
   Mr. Chiba: I am not in a position at this stage to disclose to you what particular agenda they will be taking up. But having said that, it is quite natural for foreign ministers and top leaders to discuss different matters.
   
   Related Information (Press Release)