Press Conference 15 July 2005
- Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to the United States of America (New York) and Singapore
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the decision to list "Shiretoko" in the World Heritage List
- Recommendation of a candidate for the next Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Japan's grant assistance
- Third meeting of the joint study group on Japan-Republic of Chile EPA/FTA
- Guests and national/special days of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (16 - 22 July)
- Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura to the United States of America (New York) and Singapore
Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura will visit the United States of America (New York) from 16 to 17 July to attend a Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the G4 (Japan, Germany, India and Brazil) on the Reform of the United Nations (UN) and other meetings. After that Foreign Minister Machimura will visit Singapore on 19 July.
The forthcoming G4 meeting under the auspices of the Government of India will exchange views on the current perceptions of and future plans for UN reform, taking account of such factors as the submission of the African Union's original resolution and the start of deliberations on a framework resolution in the General Assembly. If possible, Foreign Minister Machimura will create an opportunity for an exchange of views between representatives of African countries and G4 Foreign Ministers to enable the latter to explain future plans for UN reform and thereby obtain the African countries' understanding and cooperation.
In Singapore, Foreign Minister Machimura will exchange views with his counterpart and other leaders of Singapore on bilateral relations, regional cooperation in East Asia, UN reform, and the regional and global situations.
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the decision to list "Shiretoko" in the World Heritage List
Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan welcomes and highly appreciates the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee to list "Shiretoko" in the World Heritage List. The Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement:
Japan is delighted to hear the news that on 14 July, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held its 29th session in Durban, Republic of South Africa, and decided to list "Shiretoko" in the World Heritage List as a property of the whole of mankind. "Shiretoko" is Japan's thirteenth world heritage and its third natural heritage following "Yakushima (Yaku Island)" and "Shirakami-sanchi (Shirakami mountain area)."
It is important to protect world heritage sites to maintain cultural diversity. Japan is of the view that it is not the final goal to merely register world heritage sites but to preserve and make continuous use of them as long into the future as possible.
Taking the opportunity of "Shiretoko" being put on the World Heritage List, the Government of Japan intends to make further efforts to preserve Shiretoko's natural heritage, a treasure that belongs to the world, in cooperation with the organizations and people concerned in Shiretoko.
- Recommendation of a candidate for the next Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan has decided to recommend Dr. Sawako Takeuchi as a candidate for the next Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and will so notify the dean of the diplomatic corps today, 15 July.
Dr. Takeuchi is a very famous researcher who specializes in investment engineering and urban development. She currently holds several positions including that of Adjunct Professor for Management of Technology (MOT) at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo; President and CEO of Urban Design 21 Co. Ltd; and Consultant to the World Bank. Before assuming her current posts, she served as Vice President and Professor at the Graduate School of International Business, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris, France.
The Government of Japan has set up a task force to promote her candidature, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura instructed his ministry to make utmost efforts to have Dr. Takeuchi elected as the next OECD Secretary-General.
- Japan's grant assistance
Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan decided on the following grant assistance.
First, the Government of Japan will extend a grant assistance of 866 million yen or approximately US$8.0 million to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for the Project for the Improvement of the Meteorological Radar System at Cox's Bazar and Khepupara to improve the monitoring of cyclones which often inflict severe damage.
Secondly, the Government of Japan will extend a grant assistance of 866 million yen or approximately US$8.0 million to Burkina Faso for the Project for the Construction of Primary Schools. This project aims to improve the school enrollment rate in this country. This assistance is part of the support to Africa Prime Minister Koizumi announced at the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) in 2003.
Thirdly, the Government of Japan decided today, 15 July, to extend emergency assistance of 856 million yen or US$8.0 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist the 2004-2005 Afghan Elections Project PHASE II in Afghanistan. Japan is extending this emergency assistance in light of the importance of assistance for the implementation of these elections which culminate Afghanistan's political process.
Fourthly, the Government of Japan will extend a grant assistance of 723 million yen or approximately US$7.0 million to the Government of Samoa for the Project for Upgrading and Extension of Samoa Polytechnic. Samoa Polytechnic is the only institution in this country that offers high-level vocational training. It is expected that this project will generate more skilled workers, and thereby, contribute to the economic development of this country.
Fifthly, the Government of Japan decided today, 15 July, to extend emergency grant aid of about 167 million yen or US$1.56 million through the World Food Programme (WFP) to the Republic of Indonesia for a serious malnutrition problem caused by drought. The implementation of this project is expected to alleviate malnutrition in the two provinces and save as many lives of undernourished children as possible.
- Third meeting of the joint study group on Japan-Republic of Chile EPA/FTA
Mr. Takashima: The third meeting of the joint study group on the feasibility of an economic partnership agreement (EPA) and free trade agreement (FTA) between Japan and the Republic of Chile will be held in Los Angeles on 21 and 22 July.
This meeting will be attended by representatives of government, businesses and academic circles of Japan and Chile to exchange views on the state of industry in both nations as well as on trade rules, investment, services and government procurement.
- Guests and national/special days of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (16 - 22 July)
Mr. Takashima: The following guests and national day events are expected during the period 16 to 22 July in connection with the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Sylvia Tembo Masebo of the Republic of Zambia will visit Japan from 15 to 23 July to attend the National Day event on 19 July at the Expo site. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E. V. K. S. Elangovan of India will visit Japan from 20 to 21 July to attend the National Day event on 20 July at the Expo site. Minister for Economy Gaudencio Luis de Costa of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe will visit Japan from 20 to 23 July to attend the National Day event on 21 July at the Expo site. Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry Eng. Rachid Mohamed Rachid of the Arab Republic of Egypt will visit Japan from 20 to 24 July to attend the National Day event on 22 July at the Expo site.
The Government of Japan is pleased to welcome the dignitaries who will visit Japan as Guests of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, to attend their own national days to be held at the Expo site.
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