Press Conference, 16 October 2007

Visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera to the Islamic Republic of Iran
Visit to Japan by Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Far East Region Victor Gorchakov
The 4th Japan-United States of America Trade Forum
Visit by Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, to the Kingdom of Tonga
Questions concerning the Union of Myanmar
Questions concerning the Russian Federation and the Missile Defense System
Questions concerning the visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera to the Islamic Republic of Iran
Questions concerning the Japan-North Korea informal talks
Question concerning the forthcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation

I. Visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera to the Islamic Republic of Iran

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon, and thanks for coming.

Four points, to begin with:

First, the kidnappers in Iran have yet to release the Japanese national. They must do so now and the young man from Japan must return home at once and in good shape. To that end, from today, 16 October to Friday, 19 October, Mr. Itsunori Onodera, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is visiting Iran to make a request to the Iranian Government for their cooperation.

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II. Visit to Japan by Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Far East Region Victor Gorchakov

Mr. Taniguchi: Second, on the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Victor Gorchakov, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Far East Region came to Japan on Sunday, 14 October. He will return to Vladivostok, Russia next Sunday, 21 October.

While in Japan, Mr. Gorchakov will meet officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; and members of the Diet.

He will also visit Shimane Prefecture, a coastal prefecture facing the Sea of Japan in the western part of Honshu. In Shimane, he will meet the Governor of the prefecture and other key leaders.

Just to remind you, Japan and Russia are working on what is called the "Initiative for the Strengthening of Japan-Russia Cooperation in the Far East Russia and Eastern Siberia." That is what Japan initiated when then Prime Minister Abe met Russian President Mr. Putin back in June this year. Visits such as that of Mr. Gorchakov are a good part of that initiative.

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III. The 4th Japan-United States of America Trade Forum

Mr. Taniguchi: Third, on Thursday, 18 October, in Tokyo, Japan and the U.S. will hold the 4th Trade Forum. Mr. Yoichi Otabe, Director General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will head the Japan side, and Ms. Wendy Cutler, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. side.

IV. Visit by Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, to the Kingdom of Tonga

Mr. Taniguchi: Last, tomorrow, Wednesday, 17 October, Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, will visit Tonga to join the 19th Post-Forum Dialogue Partners' Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum to be held on the following day. Climate change will be among the issues to be discussed.

V. Questions concerning the Union of Myanmar

Q: First of all, Myanmar. I believe Foreign Minister Komura had mentioned something along the lines that Japan is intending to cut 552 million yen of aid to Myanmar. Could you elaborate on this?

Mr. Taniguchi: It is about building a facility in one of the universities in Yangon, and to that end negotiations were ongoing between the two nations, but the exchange of notes has not materialized. Given the current situation, the Japanese Government thought it inappropriate to give this kind of amount of money to Myanmar. But I should also add, when it comes to helping women and children who are suffering from ill-nutrition, bad conditions in healthcare, and so on, the grassroots-level assistance is ongoing, and will likely continue.

Q: Regarding this decision, has the Myanmar Government or the Embassy here in Japan reacted?

Mr. Taniguchi: I have heard no response yet.

Q: Continuing with that, UN envoy Mr. Gambari is traveling right now throughout Asia. I believe he is in Malaysia at this point. Could you let us know when he is intending to arrive in Japan, and what is on the agenda?

Mr. Taniguchi: The agenda part is obvious, that Mr. Gambari's effort should be much appreciated by the international community, and it is Japan's position to work in tandem with the international community in order to bring about more democracy (in Myanmar), more reconciliation between the Government of Myanmar and the people. When Mr. Gambari comes to town, it will be important for Japan and Mr. Gambari to share the views about what is happening in Myanmar, and what sort of "roadmap" can be envisioned for the future of Myanmar. But when it comes to the scheduling part, I cannot reveal when Mr. Gambari is going to come to Japan.

Q: I believe that the Japanese Government has been mentioning the importance of working together with the international community to pressure Myanmar, but I was wondering, given that Mr. Gambari is visiting some countries which have pretty good relationships with Myanmar, would there be consideration of something along the lines of a Six-Party Talks which Japan has with North Korea? A framework of such?

Mr. Taniguchi: The Japanese Government has proposed nothing like that so far, along the line you suggested, something like the Six-Party dialogue. But as you know, Myanmar is a trading nation, which trades a considerable amount of goods among the countries in the region. When it comes to foreign direct investment there are many countries that have invested a considerable amount also into Myanmar, so it is very much important for countries in the region and beyond to have a unified voice towards the country.

Q: Just to follow up on that, is Japan considering any further measures, aside from the 552 million yen project, given that European Union Foreign Ministers decided, yesterday in Luxembourg, to step up their sanctions, banning more timber, gemstones, and precious metals? Is Japan considering anything like sanctions in that direction?

Mr. Taniguchi: At the moment at least, I can tell you that the Japanese Government is not thinking of measures that could be called as part of sanctions toward Myanmar. But let me just remind you that among the G8 nations, Japan's position is rather unique in that the Japanese Government has a pretty functioning access towards the Myanmar Government, and at the same time, the Japanese Government can tell the Myanmar Government something that they may not want to hear.

VI. Questions concerning the Russian Federation and the Missile Defense System

Q: Could you please comment on the latest statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation about Russian concerns regarding the Missile Defense System which has been created by the United States and Japan?

Mr. Taniguchi: The Missile Defense System that the Japanese Government is working on together with the United States should be of no concern whatsoever for the Russian Government.

Q: Do you think it could be one of the issues of the upcoming talks between Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Japanese Foreign Minister Komura?

Mr. Taniguchi: The answer is, frankly speaking, I don't know. Obviously I cannot tell whether Foreign Minister Lavrov is going to raise that issue, but I don't think the Japanese Government is going to touch on that.

VII. Questions concerning the visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera to the Islamic Republic of Iran

Q: One question on Mr. Onodera's visit to Iran. How hopeful is the Japanese Government that the issue will be resolved while he is there in Iran, since I know he is leaving Iran on 18 October? Will his stay be extended if there is no progress?

Mr. Taniguchi: That is a very difficult question to answer from me, because the situation is very much unpredictable. One important thing that I should mention is that the Iranian Government told us on the Japanese side that the Iranian Government is going to do its utmost to solve this issue, and they do not want to have multiple measures aside from what their Government is now doing. We are very much hopeful that the Iranian Government is going to do a maximum amount of effort on their part to solve this issue as soon as possible.

Q: While Mr. Onodera is there, is he not going to contact the kidnapping group? He is only going to meet the Iraqi women?

Mr. Taniguchi: I don't think Mr. Onodera himself is going to try to contact the kidnappers.

Q: Regarding the same issue in Iran, I have been seeing on TV Asahi, and also reading in Asahi Shimbun, that according to their reports, the man who was kidnapped is going to be released within a few days. Is that the kind of information you have been receiving on your side as well?

Mr. Taniguchi: I can't say yes to you. I have been aware of many reports such as those. But as I said, the situation is still very much unpredictable, and it would do no good if I were to make a prediction about what could happen.

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VIII. Questions concerning the Japan-North Korea informal talks

Q: One question on the Japan-North Korea informal talks finishing, hopefully, on the weekend. Can you tell us what came out from the talks?

Mr. Taniguchi: I don't think it is appropriate for me to go into the details of the talks that are going on.

Q: So they are still ongoing?

Mr. Taniguchi: The diplomatic channel is vitally important for North Korea and Japan to continue discussions.

Q: When can we expect the next round of bilateral?

Mr. Taniguchi: It is still very much too early for me to make a prediction about that, either.

IX. Question concerning the forthcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation

Q: Returning to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov's visit, what issues is the Japanese side going to raise in the talks?

Mr. Taniguchi: As I mentioned in my opening statement, there is a wide-ranging agreement between Russia and Japan, about the importance of jointly working to enhance the bilateral relationship, especially in the fields of economy and business, and region-wise, in the far eastern part of Russia. There is no question that how to widen and further strengthen the economic and business ties is going to be among the top priorities when the Foreign Ministers will meet sometime later in Japan.

As has been the case, the territorial issue, of course, is going to be covered, and the two governments have to work hard to cut out a deal that could be accepted by both countries. With that in mind, Foreign Minister Komura is obviously going to raise that issue, as well, to Foreign Minister Lavrov. Also, they are going to make a review of some of the positive steps that have been taken between the two nations in terms of energy cooperation.

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