Press Conference, 29 September 2006

Telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Mr. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia
Japan's recent official development assistance (ODA) activities
Questions concerning bilateral meetings between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)
Questions concerning the Japan-US economic relationship
Questions concerning Japan-People's Republic of China relations
Questions concerning the Azadegan oil fields
Follow-up question concerning the Japan-Australia FTA

I. Telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Mr. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon.

It has been another slow week, and I have only two items to touch on. Later in the afternoon today there is scheduled a press conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso.

Now, firstly, as has already been reported, there was a telephone conversation between Mr. Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth of Australia and Foreign Minister Aso, on Thursday 28 September. It was for Mr. Downer to give his congratulations to Mr. Aso for his reappointment as Foreign Minister. In reply, Foreign Minister Aso said that he was gratified and that he would like to further the already existing strategic relationship with Australia by strengthening the bilateral ties on security and strategic dialogues between the two. He also appreciated the Australian Government's cooperation and collaboration with the Japanese side on matters related to North Korea, and both reconfirmed that they would continue to do so. They also told one another that the joint study on the Japan-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or economic partnership agreement (EPA), which is near its final stage, should gain even more speed.

II.Japan's recent official development assistance (ODA) activities

Mr. Taniguchi: Second, I would like to introduce what Japan has done lately on the official development assistance (ODA) front.

Number one is a grant aid of up to 891 million yen to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for its project for the improvement of the Safety Laboratory for the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. That is to help support Vietnamese struggles on avian flu.

Number two is a grant aid of up to 341 million yen to the United Republic of Tanzania, which is to help the Tanzanian government to cope with HIV/AIDS.

Those are the ODA projects we have decided upon of late and are implementing.

Related Information (Japan's ODA)

III. Questions concerning bilateral meetings between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)

Q: I am wondering if there are any updates on the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) summit meeting

Mr. Taniguchi: It was agreed when the telephone conversation took place between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ROK President Mr. Roh Moo-Hyon that the bilateral summit meeting should take place as soon as possible, but in terms of the scheduling, nothing has been decided concretely yet.

Q: So there is still a possibility that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could go to the ROK next week?

Mr. Taniguchi: In terms of the place as well, it is not decided yet.

IV. Questions concerning the Japan-US economic relationship

Q: What is the possibility that President George W. Bush of the United States will visit Japan?

Mr. Taniguchi: I have heard nothing as of yet on that. I don't think there is anything decided yet.

Q: Is there anything going on following the cabinet change in Japan as to enhancing Japan-US economic relationship possibly as a sophisticated economic harmonization agreement?

Mr. Taniguchi: I am afraid I have nothing to say on that question at present.

Q: Are there any preparations going on to that direction?

Mr. Taniguchi: It is almost self-evident that the two countries, Japan and the US, should never cease to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship. That said, Japan and the US are both huge nations in the size of their respective economies. One must be wise and careful in thinking what fruit not only the two countries but also the global village can envisage by Japan and the US forging an EPA-like framework agreement that is appropriate.

V. Questions concerning Japan-China relations

Q: Did Mr. Dai Bingguo meet Mr. Shinzo Abe and Mr. Taro Aso when he was in Tokyo?

Mr. Taniguchi: Yes, he met Mr. Aso.

Q: Did he meet Mr. Abe?

Mr. Taniguchi: I think I have seen a report or two suggesting just that, but I must check if that was really the case and if I can confirm or deny.

Q: I would like to confirm whether or not he has met with Mr. Abe.

Mr. Taniguchi: I cannot confirm. I must check the facts.

Q: What about the possibility of meeting with the Chinese leader around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit?

Mr. Taniguchi: As far as we are concerned, the possibility is dependent on the decision of the Chinese side. We are still waiting for a reply.

Q: Do you think that the Chinese have a positive stance?

Mr. Taniguchi: Because we think that they are giving indications of a positive stance to our side, we are negotiating to hold a talk between the two leaders.

Q: Foreign Minister Aso has never visited Yasukuni Shrine...

Mr. Taniguchi: In the past? Yes.

Q: When was this?

Mr. Taniguchi: Regarding Yasukuni Shrine, Foreign Minister Aso as an individual lawmaker, not as Foreign Minister, has made available a long paper about what is to be done with the shrine. If you take a look at that, you will be able to understand fully what Mr. Aso thinks about the Yasukuni Shrine issue.

Q: Is that included on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website?

Mr. Taniguchi: That is on Mr. Aso's own web site.

Q: As far as progress on talks with China goes, does it remain the case that if Mr. Abe does not clearly indicate that he will not visit Yasukuni Shrine, the talks will not resume?

Mr. Taniguchi: There are negotiations over a possible visit actually going on now. As to what terms and conditions there may be, I cannot say. I should say, however, that Japan-China relations are not so narrow and shallow that the stipulation of a single condition would prevent it from happening.

VI. Questions concerning the Azadegan oil fields

Q: This is about the Azadegan oil fields in Iran. According to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, there was a deadline at the end of this month. I understand there have been discussions between private companies, but is there any government exchange on this issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: No there is not. That is a matter between private enterprises. There will have to be a scientific research on the amount of oil supposed to be underground before setting off the drilling. Yet in order for the research to start, numerous land mines have got to be gotten rid of. I understand the venture has not come to that survey stage yet. And the Japanese government is making no interference into the private to private business relationship, whose crux really is how much risk and reward who will take. We are paying close attention to the situation anyway.

VII. Follow-up question concerning the Japan-Australia FTA

Q: About the FTA with Australia, there has been a joint study going on, but do they have any timeframe for concluding the negotiations?

Mr. Taniguchi: Their discussion has not gone so far as to suggest goals in terms of the timeframe. However, they have already agreed to conclude the negotiations as early as possible, and both sides confirmed their positions once again.

Back to Index