Internet Press Chat Conference 9 March 2006
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on bomb blasts in Varanasi, India
- Japan's reaction to comments by Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, in his press conference on the occasion of the National People's Congress of China
- Dinner banquet hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso inviting Ambassadors of African countries to Japan
- Telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Aso and Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Gordon MacKay of Canada
- The 4th World Water Forum
- Grant aid for underprivileged farmers in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Bolivia and Republic of Nicaragua
- Follow-up questions concerning Japan's reaction to comments by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
- Question concerning comment by Foreign Minister Aso at the Japan National Press Club
- Question concerning EPA/FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- Questions concerning comment by Foreign Minister Aso on Taiwan
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on bomb blasts in Varanasi, India
Assistant Press Secretary Akira Chiba: Let me start today's regular Internet press chat conference. Today, I would like to make several announcements before I take questions.
The first is about the statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the bomb blasts in Varanasi, Republic of India.
We are deeply shocked by the series of bombings against places including a Hindu temple in Varanasi, India, on 7 March which has resulted in many deaths and casualties. The Government of Japan expresses sympathy for those killed by bombs and sends condolences to the bereaved families. We also express sympathy for those injured and pray for their early recovery.
We strongly condemn these bombings which constitute inexcusable terrorist acts targeted at innocent people. Such terrorist acts cannot be justified by any reason, and the perpetrators of the attacks should be brought to justice.
The Government of Japan will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the Government of India to tackle international terrorism.
- Japan's reaction to comments by Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, in his press conference on the occasion of the National People's Congress of China
Mr. Chiba: The next is about Japan's reaction to the comments made by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Zhaoxing in his press conference on the occasion of the National People's Congress of China.
On 8 March, on behalf of the Government of Japan, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi expressed strong protests to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi regarding the inappropriate comments made by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in his press conference on the occasion of China's National People's Congress session on 7 March. Mr. Yachi also stated that even if there is difference of views, appropriate expressions should be used in conveying one's opinion.
- Dinner banquet hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso inviting Ambassadors of African countries to Japan
Mr. Chiba: The next is about a dinner banquet hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso on 7 March, inviting Ambassadors of African countries to Japan. Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Ito were among the participants in this dinner banquet.
At the dinner banquet, Foreign Minister Aso briefed the participants on the outcome of the TICAD Conference on Consolidation of Peace, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16 and 17 February.
He also expressed his intention to continue to cooperate closely with African countries, including on the reform of the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council.
The banquet was conducted in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, and Foreign Minister Aso also touched upon episodes during his tour of duty in Sierra Leone.
- Telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Aso and Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Gordon MacKay of Canada
Mr. Chiba: The next is about the telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Gordon MacKay of Canada, held on 8 March, as an opportunity for Foreign Minister MacKay to exchange greetings with Foreign Minister Aso following Foreign Minister MacKay's assumption of office.
During the conversation, Foreign Minister MacKay stated that while there are many Japanese Canadians in Canada, he is pleased that Ms. Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, whom he personally knows well, became the first Japanese Canadian to be appointed as a minister. Among other things he said that some day he hopes to visit Japan with Minister Oda.
- The 4th World Water Forum
Mr. Chiba: The 4th World Water Forum will be held in Mexico City from 16 to 22 March.
From Japan, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony on 16 March and to give a keynote speech the day after. Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, a former Prime Minister of Japan and the Chairman of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, is also scheduled to attend the forum.
- Grant aid for underprivileged farmers in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Bolivia and Republic of Nicaragua
Mr. Chiba: The last item is about Japan's decision to extend grant aid of 448 million yen (approximately US$3.8 million) to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 250 million yen (approximately US$2.1 million) to the Republic of Bolivia, and 380 million yen (approximately US$3.2 million) to the Republic of Nicaragua, as assistance for underprivileged farmers in these countries, and notes to this effect were exchanged on 7 March in the respective capitals.
With the implementation of these grant aid programs, it is expected that the food production by small-scale farmers in these countries will increase, thereby contributing to the improvement of the food self-sufficiency rates of the recipient countries.
Today happens to be Barbie Doll's birthday. Happy Birthday, Barbie! You are 47.
Related Information (Japan-Ethiopia Relations)
Related Information (Japan-Bolivia Relations)
Related Information (Japan-Nicaragua Relations) - Follow-up questions concerning Japan's reaction to comments by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
Q: Regarding Japan's protest to Chinese Foreign Minister Li's comments, I understand this was made by phone. Why was this not a personal meeting? Did Mr. Yachi invite the Chinese Ambassador to come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to relay Japan's protest and the Ambassador refused?
Mr. Chiba: It was our view that the substance of our protest be conveyed to the Chinese side as soon as possible, and considering Ambassador Wang Yi's availability at the moment, it was decided that the message be conveyed via telephone at the both sides' earliest convenience.
Q: So there is no truth to a report that Mr. Yachi had asked Mr. Wang to come to the Foreign Ministry and Mr. Wang had refused?
Mr. Chiba: To repeat what I have said, it was a matter of availability and timing.
- Question concerning comment by Foreign Minister Aso at the Japan National Press Club
Q: Regarding Foreign Minister Aso's news conference at the Japan National Press Club yesterday, Foreign Minister Aso mentioned the issue of separately enshrining war criminals. His comments were interpreted by several media as suggesting that the war criminals must be enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine since Yasukuni Shrine is a place where all the war dead are enshrined. Is this how the Foreign Ministry interprets his comments? How are his comments in relation to the Foreign Ministry's official stance?
Mr. Chiba: We have noticed that the nuance of coverage differed from one paper to another on this matter. The official stance concerning enshrinement of certain individuals at Yasukuni Shrine is a matter in which the Government is in no position to interfere. Foreign Minister Aso's statement should be taken as it was originally made.
Related Information (Prime Minister's Visits to Yasukuni Shrine) - Question concerning EPA/FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Chiba (and Happy Birthday to Barbie). Let me ask you about Japan's free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation process with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Foreign Minister Aso reiterated Japan's intention to conclude an FTA with the GCC and he has given instructions to relevant officials to promote talks for signing a FTA with those countries. Have both the Japanese and GCC sides decided when to launch the formal FTA negotiations or hold preparatory meetings, on which sectors the Governments will focus first, and by when they seek to conclude the negotiations?
Mr. Chiba: Japan's policy to establish EPAs/FTAs with our economic partners is to promote trade and investment and to secure a stable procurement of natural resources and food. Their contribution to the promotion of structural reform in our country is also an important point. Based on these viewpoints, Japan would also like to consider the possibility of EPA/FTA with GCC, but at this stage nothing has been decided yet and we are still trying to coordinate necessary matters.
- Questions concerning comment by Foreign Minister Aso on Taiwan
Q: I have seen a report mentioning that Foreign Minister Aso on Thursday hailed Taiwan as a law-abiding "country." Are you doing anything to retract that comment? Also, have you received any reaction from China regarding this?
Mr. Chiba: The standpoint of the Japanese Government concerning Taiwan is spelled out in the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972, and this standpoint remains unchanged. We are unaware of any reaction from China at this stage.
Q: How does the Foreign Ministry plan to deal with Foreign Minister Aso's comment if and when China issues a protest?
Mr. Chiba: It is not imaginable that China should file any protest, as the Foreign Minister clearly stated in his response at the Diet session that Taiwan is a region, and reiterated the Japanese Government's position of abiding by the said Joint Communique. At any rate, I should like to refrain from answering hypothetical questions.
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