Internet Press Chat Conference, 14 September 2006

Entry into force of the Japan-UK Tax Treaty
Japanese official development assistance (ODA)
Question concerning North Korea
Question concerning the meeting on the joint radioactivity survey between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)
Question concerning Japan's representative at the UN General Assembly
Follow-up questions concerning North Korea

I. Entry into force of the Japan-UK Tax Treaty

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Let me start today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. Today, I would like to make several announcements before I take questions.

The Exchange of Notes for the entry into force of the Japan-UK Tax Treaty (signed on 2 February (Thu), 2006) took place in London on 12 September (Tue) between Mr. Yoshiji Nogami, Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK), and Mr. Scott Wightman, Director of Global and Economic Issues Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The new Convention will enter into force on 12 October (Thu) 2006 and will be applied to the following cases in Japan:

Concerning tax withheld at source, it is applied to the amount on which taxes are imposed on and after 1 January 2007. Concerning income tax not withheld at source and corporation tax, it is applied to the income of each taxation fiscal year that begins on 1 January 2007.

Reflecting the close economic relations between Japan and the UK, the new Convention contains extensive revisions in content for the first time in 35 years, with a view to positively promoting mutual investments while taking measures to prevent fiscal evasion.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Japanese official development assistance (ODA)

Mr. Taniguchi: On 13 September the Government of Japan decided to extend Grant Aid to the Kingdom of Nepal for the Project for the Improvement of Short Wave and Medium Wave Radio Broadcasting Stations (up to a total of 937 million yen) and the Project for Urban Water Supply in Debub Region to the State of Eritrea (up to a total of 350 million yen).

Related Information (Japan's ODA)

III. Question concerning North Korea

Q: There has been a news report in today's evening newspaper that Japan intends to impose additional sanctions on North Korea by the end of this month (September). How true? Are there really discussions going on within the Japanese Government to impose new sanctions on North Korea (the new sanctions being a new freeze on entities or individuals with links to North Korea's WMD)?

Mr. Taniguchi: Thanks very much for your question. I have to remain silent, given the nature of the issue involved. But I can tell you there is still room for further attempts in some of the legislations that are normally used for imposing sanctions onto a foreign country.

IV. Question concerning the meeting on the joint radioactivity survey between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

Q: Sir, may I ask you a question on another topic? I understand that there is a working-level meeting on the joint radioactivity survey between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) tomorrow in Tokyo. What time and where would this be? What is expected to be discussed here?

Mr. Taniguchi: I would rather make no comment on the timing and venue of the meeting.

V. Question concerning Japan's representative at the UN General Assembly

Q: Due to the timing of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) race and the UN General Assembly session, it looks like neither Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi nor Foreign Minister Taro Aso will be attending the UN General Assembly to deliver a speech. Has there been any decision as to whom Japan will send? There is a report that it could be Japan's UN envoy Mr. Kenzo Oshima who will read the speech on their behalf? If neither the Prime Minister nor Foreign Minister goes to the UN, how would this affect Japan's diplomatic efforts to place importance on UN affairs?

Mr. Taniguchi: We have not come to any conclusion. It is still being discussed who will represent the Japanese Government on the UN floor.

VI. Follow-up questions concerning North Korea

Q: Thank you Sir. Sir, I understand it must be hard to answer the North Korean question, but just a follow-up. When you say "some of the legislation," that would refer to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law? I suppose the Japanese Government does not think that the current sanctions imposed on North Korea are enough (generally speaking?), that there is a need to be stronger against North Korea?

Mr. Taniguchi: I cannot specify what kind of legislation I am talking about. I have to say, though, given the fact that North Korea is dragging its feet before coming back to the Six-Party Talks, it is obvious the international community has to send an even more powerful signal by pressurizing Pyongyang yet further.

Q: Given North Korea's adamant stance at the moment, would "an even more powerful signal" to pressurize Pyongyang likely take place within this month? The sooner the better, Sir?

Mr. Taniguchi: Generally speaking, it is always the sooner the better, but I am not sure at the moment if it will take place within this month.

Q: Just to clarify, Sir. The stance of the Japanese Government or Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that the international community must pressure North Korea more. Japan's unilaterally imposed sanctions and the UN resolution against North Korea are not sufficient to bring North Korea back to the Six-Party Talks or change its attitude on its nuclear programs is this the view that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Government holds?

Mr. Taniguchi: The UN resolution passed in July in the aftermath of the multiple launches of North Korean missiles continues to be the guiding principle, not just for Japan, but for the international community to deal with North Korea. Pyongyang has to come back to the Six-Party Talks without any condition, immediately. If that is the goal, what each nation ought to do has already been made clear, in my view. And, as I have said previously, the Japanese Government has been dealing with Pyongyang on a double-track, which is to seek dialogues while pressurizing Pyongyang. The pressure part, given what is going on at the moment, is more important than dialogues for the obvious reason that no dialogue is taking place at present.

Q: Sir, as for additional sanctions, generally speaking, what could perhaps be envisioned are strict sanctions against any activities related to the buying and selling of North Korea's WMDs and maritime interdiction of North Korean ships? I have heard that Japan's additional sanctions, in line with the U.N. resolution on North Korea's missile launches, have already been communicated to the United States. Is this true?

Mr. Taniguchi: I can tell you that the Japanese Government has been in close contact with the US Government about how to deal with Pyongyang in order to achieve a maximum effect so that Pyongyang would not do anything adventurous again, and rather come back to the discussion table as soon as possible.

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