Press Conference, 26 January 2007

Decision by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia not to stand in the election for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council
First meeting between Japan and Cambodia on development of Japan-Cambodia Investment Agreement
First meeting between Japan and India on the Japan-India Economic Partnership Agreement
Dispatch of two civilian police officers and three liaison and coordination officers to UNMIT
Questions concerning a report in the press of an unusual event having occurred in North Korea
Question concerning the possible start date of the next round of Six-Party Talks
Question concerning today's foreign policy speech by Foreign Minister Taro Aso

I. Decision by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia not to stand in the election for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Thanks for joining me.

My opening statements go as follows, with four points to make.

First off let me remind you that based on the agreement between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the President Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia, the Mongolian government has decided not to stand in the election for a non-permanent membership for the United Nations Security Council, to be held next year in 2008.

President Enkhbayar, citing the longstanding friendly relationship that binds the two countries together as a reason to decline, told Prime Minister Abe that he would hope that Japan would make it to become a non-permanent member and then do its best at the Security Council.

Prime Minister Abe then appreciated President Enkhbayar very much for the decision and the expression of goodwill on the part of President Enkhbayar.

This being a tremendous piece of evidence of the good relationship between the two countries, the Government of Japan is resolved to do whatever it takes to get elected.

II. First meeting between Japan and Cambodia on development of Japan-Cambodia Investment Agreement

Mr. Taniguchi: Secondly, the governments of Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia are holding a two day meeting, today and tomorrow, 26 and 27 January, in Phnom Penh.

It is the first meeting in the run up for the investment agreement both governments are working on.

Mr. Hideaki Mizukoshi, Director, the First Southeast Asia Division, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, from the Japanese side and Mr. Sok Chenda, Secretary General, Council for the Development of Cambodia will be the chief negotiators.

Both governments have already agreed on the desirability of the investment accord, and that it should be made available as soon as possible.

III. First meeting between Japan and India on the Japan-India Economic Partnership Agreement

Mr. Taniguchi: Thirdly, the governments of Japan and the Republic of India will hold the first meeting in New Delhi, from 31 January to 2 February, in order to make the Japan-India Economic Partnership Agreement.

The delegations will be headed, respectively, by Mr. Masaharu Kono, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and by Mr. Gopal Krishna Pillai, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce of India.

IV. Dispatch of two civilian police officers and three liaison and coordination officers to UNMIT

Mr. Taniguchi: Fourth and last, today, 26 January, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch two civilian police officers and three liaison and coordination officers to the UNMIT, which is the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste.

Related Information (Press Release)

V. Questions concerning a report in the press of an unusual event having occurred in North Korea

Q: We have seen a report this morning that there is some unusual event which has taken place, or that might have happened, in North Korea regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. It could have been a coup attempt, or it could have been a health issue. We do not know what that is, but I was wondering if you have any information related to this.

Mr. Taniguchi: I do not have any clue at all. I have been aware of the Jiji Press report, but beyond that I have no clue to judge about it whatsoever.

Q: Is there any information that you might have to deny this report, or you just cannot comment?

Mr. Taniguchi: The best I can say is that we do not have any clue yet, so I can make no comment at all.

Q: Did you discuss this issue with your South Korean counterparts, or ask South Korean officials about the credibility of this?

Mr. Taniguchi: This remains a report published by the Jiji Press, and it seems no other following report has been published, so I do not know whether the Japanese Government or the members of this Ministry have been in touch with their counterparts in the Republic of Korea, but again I should repeat what I have just said ? no clue is available.

VI. Question concerning the possible start date of the next round of Six-Party Talks

Q: Do you have any update you can possibly give us regarding the starting date of the Six-Party Talks?

Mr. Taniguchi: It is still an ongoing process. I have to say as soon as possible, but when it comes to when exactly the next round of the Six-Party Talks is going to be held, I do not know yet.

VII. Question concerning today's foreign policy speech by Foreign Minister Taro Aso

Q: Foreign Minister Taro Aso delivered his foreign policy speech today. He talked about the United Nations Security Council (UNSC); he talked about North Korea. In his speech what is the main message that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs really wants to convey to the public or to the international community.

Mr. Taniguchi: Thank you for that question, because I should have said about it at the beginning of my statements. This has been an important day to open the current diet session, and as usual Foreign Minister Aso delivered a comprehensive policy speech about the directions of Japanese foreign policy first at the House of Representatives.

I can say, as is seen in the text which is going to be available soon in both languages, in Japanese and English, that we are obtaining the fourth pillar that sustains the overall directions of Japanese foreign policy.

Mr. Aso said that Japan's foreign policy has been sustained by three pillars since the end of the Second World War, namely the US-Japan Alliance, international cooperation, and thirdly Japan's close relationships with neighboring nations, notably Asian neighboring nations.

Those being the three important pillars, Foreign Minister Aso said that Japanese foreign policy is now being sustained by four feet, if you like. Added to those three pillars is the fourth one, which is what we call a policy to create an Arc of Freedom and Prosperity.

The policy to create an Arc of Freedom and Prosperity is based on core universal values, such as human rights, rule of law, democracy, and a market-oriented capitalist economy.

We are stressing those universal values and Foreign Minister Aso also said that the Japanese Government is going to continue to be very much enthusiastic in supporting fledgling democracies along the rim of the Eurasian continent.

I think that is the new element that you can find in Foreign Minister Aso's speech, as evincing a new direction of Japanese foreign policy.

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