Press Conference, 12 May 2006

Dispatch of a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Haiti
Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon of the Kingdom of Thailand
Question concerning search of a North Korean vessel
Questions concerning Japan-China talks
Question concerning Japan-China relations
Follow-up question concerning Foreign Minister Kantathi's visit

I. Dispatch of a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Haiti

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon. I have got just two items to announce today.

The first one is about the dispatch of a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Haiti.

The Government of Japan will dispatch Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Vice-Minister (Parliamentary) for Foreign Affairs, as Special Envoy of Japan to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. René Garcia Préval, to be held on 14 May at its capital, Port au Prince.

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II. Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon of the Kingdom of Thailand

Mr. Taniguchi: From 12 to 15 May, Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, will visit Japan informally.

Dr. Kantathi will attend the opening ceremony of Thai Festival 2006, which will be held on 13 and 14 May.

During his stay in Japan, Dr. Kantathi will have talks with Mr. Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary, and Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

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III. Question concerning search of a North Korean vessel

Q: The Japan Coast Guard and the police in Tottori Prefecture are carrying out a raid against a North Korean vessel that is suspected of carrying amphetamines to Japan. I am wondering what you have on this. Perhaps there is a paucity of information at this point, but this is not the apparent first report that we have heard about North Koreans smuggling drugs into Japan. How serious of an incident could this be?

Mr. Taniguchi: I can give you only general remarks. The narcotics trade has been known for some time to be done by a group associated with the North Korean government. As a member of the international community, Japan has been concerned about it, especially given the proximity of the nation to North Korea. I understand the activities conducted by the Japan Coast Guard are something they usually always have to do. In terms of the details, I must say I do not have any knowledge.

IV. Questions concerning Japan-China talks

Q: My first question is about Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei of the People's Republic of China. He made a statement yesterday concerning the East China Sea. Do you have any comment on this?

Secondly, a Japan-China dialogue is to be held next week. Can you confirm this?

Mr. Taniguchi: I understand that you asked for my comment about what the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China is reported to have said, but I must say that I am aware of only a couple of reports that say that that was what he actually said. I am not yet able to confirm exactly what he said. But in general, both nations have agreed to schedule a foreign ministerial meeting, and I understand his remark has also confirmed the intention and willingness of the Chinese Government to hold this talk soon. That is the answer to the first part of your question.

To the second part of your question, it has also been agreed by both nations that the next round of meetings about the East China Sea gas field is going to be held in the week of 15 May. When exactly that is going to be held is still under discussion between the two Governments. In terms of the place, we are not yet able to announce where exactly that will be, but you might remember that it is going to be Tokyo's turn.

Q: I believe a Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue is to be held next week. What sort of agenda do you envisage? Will Japan come up with a new proposal concerning the East China Sea?

Mr. Taniguchi: You said that it is going to be the Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue. First of all, it is not going to be that dialogue. That was what was held already between the two vice ministers in Beijing of late. On that occasion it was agreed between both nations that Japan and China would have this upcoming meeting focused on the East China Sea problem. What sort of policy proposals Japan is going to bring to the discussion table is not something that can be revealed at the moment for a very good reason because the discussion has not yet started. So I must ask you to wait another week or so until the discussion has been held.

V. Question concerning Japan-China relations

Q: So we basically have two upcoming discussions taking place, one on the East China Sea, and the other, the foreign ministers' meeting in Doha. Would you characterize then that the Japan-China relationship is making a slight improvement compared to how it has been in the past months and years, considering that there is some sort of diplomacy discussion going on at this point?

Mr. Taniguchi: I must say it had been unusual that the foreign ministers of these very important neighbors could not meet. So this meeting scheduled pretty soon has been long overdue.

I must also remind you that as I have said a number of times on this occasion, the door on the Japanese side has been very much wide open. For the Chinese side it has not been necessary even to knock on that door. In that sense it has returned to normalcy if you like. Aside from that, the bilateral relationship between Japan and China has been deepened, broadened, and enriched economically and in terms of people-to-people exchanges.

One of the evidence of that is that next week, on 16 May, the first wave of visitors which will amount to 200 people will be coming from China to Japan. They are all high school students, and they are going to spend an entire week in Japan with a stint at host families' homes. They are also supposed to spend time visiting schools. I must say that this is just the first wave to be followed by waves of other visits. This shows that the bilateral relationship overall is in a not so bad shape, and it is to be hoped that the next upcoming foreign ministerial meeting will play a role to reaffirm the strengthened relationship between the two nations.

VI. Follow-up question concerning Foreign Minister Kantathi's visit

Q: I understand that the Thai Foreign Minister is coming to Japan on an unofficial visit from today. I was wondering if the Foreign Minister has arrived or is arriving. I understand he is meeting with Foreign Minister Aso, and I was wondering if you can tell me what they will be discussing.

Mr. Taniguchi: I am sorry, I do not have detailed knowledge about the itinerary-whether or not he has already arrived and when he is meeting Foreign Minister Aso. I can tell you about that later on.

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