Internet Press Chat Conference, 8 June 2006

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso on the situation in Timor-Leste
Notices and announcements
Question concerning abduction issue
Questions concerning situation in Timor-Leste
Questions concerning upcoming EEZ talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

I. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso on the situation in Timor-Leste

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Let me start today's Regular Internet Press Chat Conference.

Firstly, the Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the situation in Timor-Leste, which was announced an hour ago:

Japan is concerned about the deteriorating security and political situation in Timor-Leste.
Japan hopes for the country's early resumption of law and order through a democratic process in accordance with the Presidential Statement made by President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao on Tuesday, 30 May.
Since before the independence of Timor-Leste, Japan has been proactively contributing to the consolidation of peace and nation-building in the country. For the current situation, Japan intends to offer its utmost cooperation for the goal taking into account the United Nations (UN) appeal for humanitarian assistance for Timor-Leste currently being compiled.
As a lead country to UN's discussion on Timor-Leste, Japan also intends to take the initiative in the Security Council on the ideal involvement of the UN for Timor-Leste.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Notices and announcements

Mr. Taniguchi: The following items are already up on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:

Let me show you the titles of the following announcements for your information:

Grant Aid to Tanzania for the Project for Widening of Kilwa Road (up to 1,152 million yen in total)
Grant Aid to Tanzania for the Project for Zanzibar Urban Water Supply Development (up to 1,230 million yen in total)
The Fourth Economy and Society Working Group Meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) (7 and 8 June, Mita House in Tokyo)
Grant Aid to Laos for the Project for the Improvement of the Vientiane No.1 Road (up to 2,553 million yen in total)
Grant Aid for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship and the Project for Afforestation for Conservation of Middle Stream of Huang He (Phase II) (up to 821 million yen in total)

Related Information (Japan's ODA)

III. Question concerning abduction issue

Q: According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Young Nam, a ROK man who Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) say became the husband of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota after being kidnapped by North Korea, is living in the North. This marks Pyongyang's first admission of the man's existence. Has the Foreign Ministry verified this fact? Could you please update me on this? If that is true, does the Foreign Ministry think it may affect the Japan-ROK cooperation with regard to this issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: We have yet to confirm the report you cited.

We are still working to verify if that is really the case.

The position of the Japanese Government about the necessity to cooperate between ROK and Japan on the abduction issue has not changed and cannot change. That is to further enhance the cooperation so that the issue can be solved sooner rather than later.

IV. Questions concerning situation in Timor-Leste

Q: Regarding the Timor-Leste situation, you mentioned that "Japan also intends to take the initiative in the Security Council on the ideal involvement of the UN for Timor-Leste." What kind of initiative is Japan aiming for? In the form of the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), for instance?

Mr. Taniguchi: The situation on the ground is very much in flux. As a nation that takes highly the importance to maintain order and stability in this part of the world, we are thinking very hard about what we can do and how best we can achieve the peace and stability in Timor-Leste. In order for us to better do that, we have to do many things like consulting our friends and allies, collecting information, and so on. It is too early to say we are thinking of dispatching SDF personnel over to Timor-Leste.

Q: Sir, another follow-up on the Timor-Leste situation. About the ideal involvement of the UN for Timor-Leste, could you possibly give me an idea on what could be a possible scenario (that Japan is envisioning) for an "ideal involvement of the UN for Timor-Leste"?

Mr. Taniguchi: If you already have an idea as to what could be an ideal involvement for the UN it would be terrific. The fact of the matter is many nations including Japan have to think hard and move quick while seeking what could make the ideal scenario. This is not the kind of situation that enables you to lay back and spend time scenario-making.

V. Questions concerning upcoming EEZ talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

Q: I believe Japanese officials and ROK officials are meeting in Tokyo next week to discuss the territorial issues. Would you elaborate on the agenda and who the participants are and the schedule of the talks?

Mr. Taniguchi: On 12 and 13 June, we are going to discuss exclusive economic zone (EEZ) issues. It should be reminded that ten years ago when leaders of both nations met, an agreement was reached that in future discussions we should look at the EEZ issue proper, separately from any other issue. However, with regard to the agendas for the upcoming meeting, I should refrain myself from making any comment at the moment.

Q: Just a clarification on your comment, sir, on the Japan-ROK meeting on EEZ. That would mean that the Foreign Ministry would like to see the EEZ talks as entirely separate from the Takeshima issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: On Takeshima, our position has not changed and will not change. If you want to see what our position has been, I should perhaps recommend that you visit our website and key in Takeshima in the search section.

With regard to the EEZ talks, I understand both leaders came to an agreement ten years ago that we could talk on them without spending so much time on the territorial issue.

Q: I understand that Japan had proposed, as one way to resolve this issue, the establishment of a so-called "prior notification" system in which either country when conducting survey near the Takeshima islets will inform each other before taking the move. I would like to reconfirm the stance of the Foreign Ministry with regard to this proposal. Do you see this as one effective way or probably the more effective way to resolve the Takeshima issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: The system you are referring to has more to do with risk management and less to do with sovereignty issues. I think it is a good idea for nations like the ROK and Japan that have unresolved border issues to establish a system like that.

Q: Still on Japan-ROK talks, I believe there is a fishery agreement between the two countries. This I believe involves the disputed EEZ between the two countries. Do you aim to form a new agreement or to confirm the past agreement?

Mr. Taniguchi: The short answer is I do not know. They are going to talk obviously about many issues and I do not really think that this is going to be a one-off event. The ROK and Japan will have to continue to talk. But you can perhaps agree with me that continuing to talk is the best way for two of the closest neighbors to maintain a good relationship.

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