Press Conference 20 September 2005
- Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs MACHIMURA Nobutaka on the adoption of the joint statement at the Fourth Round of Six-Party Talks
- Extension of the term of visa exemption measures for nationals of the Republic of Korea
- Exemption of visa for residents in Taiwan
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the voting for the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections in Afghanistan
- Fourth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
- Tokyo Donor Conference in support of the peace process in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Presentation Ceremony of Police H.Q. Equipment to the Governorate of Al-Muthanna (including Samawah), Iraq
- Statement by the Press Secretary on the serial terrorist acts in Baghdad, Iraq
- Emergency Grant Aid to the Republic of Sudan
- Humanitarian Assistance to the Republic of Cuba through the World Food Programme (WFP)
- Follow-up questions concerning adoption of the joint statement at the Six-Party Talks
- Questions concerning energy assistance to North Korea
- Question concerning gas fields in the East China Sea
- Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs MACHIMURA Nobutaka on the adoption of the joint statement at the Fourth Round of Six-Party Talks
Assistant Press Secretary Akira Chiba: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming to today's briefing. Today I have another load of announcements to make before taking your questions.
My announcements start out naturally by introducing to you the statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs MACHIMURA Nobutaka on the adoption of the joint statement at the Fourth Round of the Six-Party Talks. Foreign Minister MACHIMURA says:
I welcome the fact that at the fourth Round of Six-Party Talks an agreement was reached on the joint statement that indicates the final goal to be achieved by the Talks. I highly appreciate the efforts made by the countries concerned that have brought about the agreement, especially the efforts made by the People's Republic of China, which coordinated the Talks as the Chair.
To peacefully resolve North Korea's nuclear issues is an urgent security matter for Japan. North Korea's commitment for the first time to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a verifiable manner will provide an important ground for achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party Talks in the future. Japan takes note of North Korea's decision this time seriously, considers that it is important for the six parties concerned to implement this agreement promptly and steadily, and believes that constructive dialogues should be promoted continuously to this end.
Although there may be difficulties ahead before achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Japan intends to do its utmost to achieve the common goal-peace and stability in Northeast Asia-by maintaining a close cooperation among the countries concerned.
This ends Foreign Minister MACHIMURA's statement.
Related Information (Six-Party Talks on North Korean Issues) - Extension of the term of visa exemption measures for nationals of the Republic of Korea
Mr. Chiba: Another issue concerning the Korean Peninsula is a much more happy one, that is the extension of the term of visa exemption measures for nationals of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
In the afternoon of 16 September, the Japan-ROK foreign ministerial meeting was held in New York. Foreign Minister MACHIMURA conveyed to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon of the ROK that the Government of Japan would extend the term of visa exemption which was taken from 1 March to 30 September to coincide with the holding of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, until 28 February next year as a temporary measure for nationals of the ROK.
The Government of Japan will therefore continue to permit the entry of nationals of the ROK who wish to enter Japan as temporary visitors for a period of 90 days or less, on and after 1 October until 28 February next year, without obtaining visas. This measure, however, will not be applied to those who will work or intend to work in Japan.
With this measure, it is hoped that human exchanges will continue to increase between Japan and the ROK, and the relationship between the two countries will become closer even after the end of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi.
- Exemption of visa for residents in Taiwan
Mr. Chiba: There is another announcement I would like to make concerning visas, that is the exemption of visa for residents in Taiwan.
As the Residents in Taiwan were stipulated by a government ordinance as aliens defined in the Law on Special Cases of Landing Application by Aliens who Hold Passports Stipulated in Article 2-5-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the Tokyo Headquarters of the Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ) on 16 September notified the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan that the Government of Japan will exempt visas for residents in Taiwan.
The Government of Japan will take measures on 26 September to permit entry into Japan without obtaining a visa of residents in Taiwan who wish to enter Japan as temporary visitors for a period of 90 days or less.
This measure is expected to promote private sector exchanges between Japan and Taiwan.
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the voting for the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections in Afghanistan
Mr. Chiba: Elections were held in Afghanistan, which as is reported were completed quite peacefully. Here is the statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Japan welcomes the news that the voting for the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections in Afghanistan were conducted on 18 September, and expects that the operation to decide the winner will be smoothly carried out.
This is the statement given out on 18 September, and as you know, the elections have been smoothly carried out.
The elections will complete the political process in Afghanistan that has progressed since the Bonn Agreement in December 2001. According to the report of Japan's Election Observation Team led by Deputy Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Hideki Ito, as far as they monitored them, the elections were conducted without any major confusion to affect the result. The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) organized by the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Afghanistan also appreciates the voting in the elections as there was no major confusion. Japan regards this as a very important progress in Afghanistan's nation rebuilding.
The Government of Japan has been keenly concerned that these elections in Afghanistan should be conducted in a democratic and fair manner. In addition to the assistance for the voter registration and implementation of elections, Japan has assisted in creating an environment to enable Afghanistan to implement these elections in a democratic and fair manner through the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of former soldiers (DDR) and Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) to strengthen the examining process for candidate qualification.
The Government of Japan will continue to extend assistance to Afghanistan in a wide-range of fields such as security, humanitarian, and reconstruction aiming to realize consolidation of peace in the country.
- Fourth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
Mr. Chiba: There is a conference that will be held at the headquarters of the UN in New York City. It is called the Fourth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). It will be held from 21 to 23 September. Mr. Tatsuo Arima, Representative of the Government of Japan, will attend this conference.
At this conference, we are aiming to adopt a statement to promote the entry into force of the CTBT. As you all know, it is Japan's very important policy to promote the CTBT, which is based on the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Japan will do its best so that as many countries as possible will be signatories to this treaty.
Mr. Arima will also use this opportunity to visit the Middle East-the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel-and of course the United States of America (US) before going there, to promote talks about the promotion of peace in the Middle East. Mr. Arima is visiting the region at a time when the process of this engagement has come to an end. He will meet important people from the Palestinian Authority as well as from Israel and Egypt to discuss how to promote the peace process.
- Tokyo Donor Conference in support of the peace process in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Mr. Chiba: Another envoy from Japan will be visiting another area of the globe. Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Representative of the Government of Japan, will attend the Tokyo Donor Conference in support of the peace process in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This conference is also being held in New York City. It started on 18 September and will continue until 21 September.
This conference is aimed to promote the peace process in Sri Lanka, especially after considering the situation of the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar of Sri Lanka, and is to be held according to the idea raised by the Government of the Kingdom to be held on this topic.
- Presentation Ceremony of Police H.Q. Equipment to the Governorate of Al-Muthanna (including Samawah), Iraq
Mr. Chiba: Now a couple of announcements concerning Japan's aid to places in the world.
Japan has decided to provide police headquarters equipment to the Governorate of Al-Muthanna in Iraq. Al-Muthanna is where Samawah is located. The presentation ceremony of the police headquarters equipment was held in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna. This was provided by Japan's grassroots human security grant aid, and the presentation ceremony was held on 15 September. This grant aid came in the shape of providing police vehicles and equipment for police check points.
- Statement by the Press Secretary on the serial terrorist acts in Baghdad, Iraq
Mr. Chiba: Earlier Japan made a statement concerning the terrorist acts that took place in Baghdad. This announcement was made on 15 September, resolutely condemning the act of terrorism and also expressing condolences to the victims and wishing a quick recovery of those who were injured.
- Emergency Grant Aid to the Republic of Sudan
Mr. Chiba: Another aid project went to the Republic of Sudan to support the consolidation of peace in the country, which entered the stage of national reconstruction after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. The Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency grant aid totaling about 3,400 million yen.
- Humanitarian Assistance to the Republic of Cuba through the World Food Programme (WFP)
Mr. Chiba: The last piece of announcement I would like to make concerns the Republic of Cuba.
On 14 September, the Government of Japan decided to extend US$100,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) to assist its project to urgently distribute food among the people in Cuba afflicted by Hurricane Dennis. This assistance is in response to a request from the WFP.
The money to be given this time will be used to purchase 191 tons of rice which will be distributed in Granma Province, which was one of the most seriously affected by Hurricane Dennis. The rice will be especially used for the socially weak including women and children.
- Follow-up questions concerning adoption of the joint statement at the Six-Party Talks
Q: Perhaps you might want to update your statement from the Foreign Minister regarding North Korea. In fact he has been quoted as making some fresh comments after North Koreans basically said that what they signed yesterday is unacceptable and that they will not dismantle their nuclear facilities, saying this is our just and consistent stand as solid as a deeply rooted rock. I am wondering how the Government of Japan responds to the announcement made by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) today. I understand that the Foreign Minister earlier today was quoted as saying that he called this latest announcement from Pyongyang unacceptable.
Mr. Chiba: What is acceptable to us, as has already been made clear by the Foreign Minister, is that there was an agreement and now we are going to implement this agreement promptly and steadily. To that end constructive dialogue should be promoted continuously. This is the standpoint of the Japanese Government and it remains unchanged.
Q: What about the announcement that was made today? The Foreign Minister is saying that it is unacceptable. North Korea yesterday signed an agreement and today calls the terms of that agreement unacceptable.
Mr. Chiba: As I said now we have the agreement, and the next stage is to implement this agreement.
Q: But we do not seem to have an agreement at this point.
Mr. Chiba: Well maybe I do not share your view. We do have an agreement, and we will implement it.
Q: According to reports that I have read this morning, it says only that Japan and the US will discuss this latest development at an appropriate time. Could you give us an idea of when that will be?
Mr. Chiba: At this moment I cannot give you when and by which means our exchange is going to be held. So far there is no news that I can give you on this matter.
Q: Let's say that this is just a bump on the road and the agreement is in fact implemented. Where does that leave Japan and the issue of the abductees? Is that going to fall by the way side because the Six-Party Talks are obviously going to be now dominated by implementing this "agreement"? What is next for the abductees issue?
Mr. Chiba: I should quote precisely from the joint statement. It says that the DPRK and Japan undertook steps to normalize their relations in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration on the basis of the settlement of unfortunate past and the outstanding issues of concern.
We all know what the outstanding issues of concern are. At any rate the normalization process will be followed up according to the Pyongyang Declaration which includes the issue of the abductees, and this is also a part of the joint statement.
Q: Regarding the Six-Party Talks, there are going to be difficulties before this agreement is realized. I understand that Washington is more concerned about the measures taken against nuclear proliferation, until North Korea actually dismantles their nuclear weapons and plants. What is the Japanese Government and related countries doing in terms of preventing nuclear proliferation?
Mr. Chiba: We are of the view that this agreement will indeed, if realized as is written, promote the denuclearization of the peninsula. That is why we are looking at the complete realization of the statement, and this is how we are trying to achieve denuclearization. Of course if North Korea is denuclearized, naturally proliferation will be prevented as well.
Related Information (Six-Party Talks on North Korean Issues) - Questions concerning energy assistance to North Korea
Q: In the joint statement I understand that Japan expressed a willingness to provide energy assistance to North Korea. In the Pyongyang Declaration there is a clause that Japan would provide economic cooperation to North Korea after diplomatic relations are normalized. My question is, is Japan considering energy assistance as a form of economic cooperation?
Mr. Chiba: Your question probably consists of two issues: (1) whether or not Japan is going to take part in undertakings, to be precise, the provision of light water reactors that is mentioned, and (2) whether or not Japan is going to go on with its agenda of economic cooperation toward North Korea.
On the first point, we are of the view that there are some things to be realized before Japan can decide whether or not we will take part in the provision of light water reactors to North Korea.
For the second part, our agenda of economic cooperation is closely tied with our process of normalization with the DPRK, and especially the issue of abductees is what we consider as very important, the solution of which will enable us to go on with our plans for economic cooperation.
Q: On the first point you said that Japan will consider providing light water reactors after "some things" are realized. What do you mean by "some things"?
Mr. Chiba: We are looking at the complete dismantlement of the nuclear plants of the DPRK and that they abide to the obligations and regulations prompted by the NPT and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). All in all it is important for North Korea to win international confidence, and that is when we would like to consider whether or not we will be a part of the provision of light water reactors.
Q: Did you say that the provision of energy assistance is any way linked to the abduction issue?
Mr. Chiba: The abductees issue is an issue that we consider important for the normalization of the relations between the two countries. The issue of normalization is included in the joint statement adopted at the Fourth Round of the Six-Party Talks. The light water reactor issue is also included in the same statement. The things we would like to see clarified before we decide whether or not to take part in that I have already told you. In that sense you may say that these are included in the same joint statement. At any rate we are aiming for a comprehensive solution of the issue. I do not take the view that one specific issue is directly or indirectly connected to another specific issue. This is to be taken care of comprehensively to attain a total solution of the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.
- Question concerning gas fields in the East China Sea
Q: Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Shoichi NAKAGAWA earlier today at a news conference said that a flare had been confirmed in the gas fields in the disputed waters, meaning that the Chinese are apparently beginning output from these disputed waters in the East China Sea. He also suggests that the Government lodge a protest over the matter. What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has on this? Is a protest indeed going to be filed?
Mr. Chiba: Minister NAKAGAWA at his press conference earlier today suggested that there is a high probability that natural gas is being exploited at the gas field in the East China Sea. Foreign Minister MACHIMURA also learned that there was smoke coming out of the facilities there. Usually if there is smoke, there is fire. I cannot tell you at which level at this moment but any rate we have told the Chinese side our regret that this is being done because we have asked the Chinese side time and again to: (1) provide us with information about their findings in the area, and (2) stop exploitation. It is our hope that the Chinese side will come back to the table, provide us with information, and stop the exploitation if they are at all doing it so that it will not lead to a breach of Japan's sovereign rights concerning natural resources in the region.
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