Internet Press Chat Conference, 25 January 2007

Results of the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue
Second Japan-China Press Secretary Consultations
Second "Central Asia plus Japan" Intellectual Dialogue (Tokyo Dialogue)
Question concerning the Discussion of the Territorial Issue in the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue
Question concerning Telephone Conversation between Foreign Minister Aso and South Korean Foreign Minister regarding Cooperation in the Six-Party Talks
Question concerning the Meeting between Foreign Minister Aso and a Representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

I. Results of the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Let me start today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. Today, I have three items to introduce before I take questions.

First let me inform you of the result of the "Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue".

The first round of Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on 23 and 24 January. It is an opportunity to discuss urgent international issues and important bilateral issues from a broader perspective between Mr. Shotaro Yachi, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Denisov, First Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Russia.

At this strategic dialogue, taking into account the view point of what are common strategic interests between Japan and Russia, bilateral issues including territorial issues and trade and economic relations, the current situation of the Asia-Pacific region including Central Asia, and ensuring energy security were discussed. In principle both sides agreed to have the next round in Japan within this year.

II. Second Japan-China Press Secretary Consultations

Mr. Taniguchi: Mr. Mitsuo Sakaba, Press Secretary and Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is participating in the Second Japan-China Press Secretary consultations in Beijing today. At these consultations, Mr. Sakaba is exchanging views with his counterpart, Mr. Liu Jianchao, Director-General, Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, on more positive provision of information for the media and wide-ranging publicity for Japan-China exchange programs, based on the last consultations, for further development of Japan-China relations.

Related Information (Press Release)

III. Second "Central Asia plus Japan" Intellectual Dialogue (Tokyo Dialogue)

Mr. Taniguchi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the Second "Central Asia plus Japan" Intellectual Dialogue (Tokyo) on Tuesday 30 January with the cooperation of the Japan Foundation.

The Tokyo Dialogue is being held as part of the "Intellectual Dialogue", one of the five pillars of "Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue", which is a framework of dialogue and cooperation that Japan has been promoting with Central Asian countries. The Tokyo Dialogue aims to expand intellectual exchange between Central Asia and Japan and come up with outcomes which could be useful inputs to governmental talks.

At the Tokyo Dialogue, in which five experts in the energy and policy-planning fields from five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and those from Japan will participate, it is expected that a frank exchange of opinions will take place on the theme of "Energy in Central Asia". At the opening session, Mr. Takeshi Iwaya, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, will deliver a keynote speech as the representative of the host.

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Question concerning the Discussion of the Territorial Issue in the Japan-Russia Strategic Dialogue

Q: In the strategic dialogue between Japan and Russia, was the territorial issue discussed?

Mr. Taniguchi: Given the nature of the dialogue where two leaders are supposed to talk to one another in a very frank fashion I should be restrained from introducing the details to you.

V. Question concerning Telephone Conversation between Foreign Minister Aso and South Korean Foreign Minister regarding Cooperation in the Six-Party Talks

Q: On a different topic. I understand Foreign Minister Aso and his South Korean counterpart talked on the phone today and they are said to have reaffirmed bilateral cooperation as well as trilateral cooperation with the United States over the Six-Party Talks. What specific ways of cooperation did they mean or agree to?

Mr. Taniguchi: I have said before it is always important to try to make the unified front as unified as possible when it comes to dealing with North Korea in the Six-Party Framework. They had the phone conversation exactly for that purpose.

VI. Question concerning the meeting between Foreign Minister Aso and a representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Q: Later in the day, Foreign Minister Aso will be meeting with a representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and discussing wide-ranging issues related to human rights. I suppose the North Korean abduction issue will be discussed as well? If so, what does Japan intend to relay to the visiting representative? What requests or calls for cooperation would Japan raise to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the North Korean abduction issue at a time Japan is intent in widening international recognition and solidarity in addressing the North Korean abduction issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: I cannot tell you what exactly Foreign Minister Aso will be saying to the representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights but I should remind you that when Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano met his counterparts from the Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, there was a stronger than ever support explicitly expressed even from the Cambodian minister whose nation had long been one of the closest to the Pyongyang regime. I am not going to be surprised if Foreign Minister Aso will be touching upon such latest developments as the above when meeting the representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Thanks for joining me, and see you soon later.

Related Information (Press Release)

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