Internet Press Chat Conference, 14 June 2007

Visit to Japan by H.M. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam
Courtesy Call Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso by members of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century
Questions concerning reports on the possible transfer to North Korea of funds from Banco Delta Asia

I. Visit to Japan by H.M. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam

Assistant Press Secretary Noriyuki Shikata: Let me start today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. Today, I would like to make two announcements.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam will visit Japan from Sunday, 17 June to Tuesday, 19 June.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will have summit talks with the Sultan on Monday, 18 June.

Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress will host a luncheon for H.M. the Sultan on Tuesday, 19 June.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso by members of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century

Mr. Shikata: In the afternoon of 13 June, Japanese and Chinese members of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century made a courtesy call together on Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso.

Mr. Aso said:

1. The atmosphere of Japan-China relationship has changed considerably since I met you at the Fourth Meeting last March. I am informed that the meeting this time has taken place successfully in Akita Prefecture, where environmental issues and other matters were discussed.

2. The environmental issue was a key topic at the Heiligendamm G8 Summit Meeting, and it was agreed, based on Japanese proposals, to cut global emissions of greenhouse gases in half by 2050. The environmental issue will again become a main subject at the G8 Summit in 2008 to be held in Toyako Town, Hokkaido.

3. In China, which has been experiencing rapid economic growth, this issue of the environment cannot be neglected. Japan has had similar challenges in the past, which led the country to encourage the people to raise environmental awareness and improve related technology.

4. Japan and China can work cooperatively on this issue, utilizing Japan's advanced technology and experience. I would like the Committee to keep deepening the discussion on environmental issues as a main subject.

In response, Mr. Zheng Bijian, head of the Chinese side, stated:

1. We were able to wrap up the Sixth Meeting successfully and, at the same time, experience the wonderful nature, water, air and scenery of Akita Prefecture. In particular, we were able to see the cutting-edge technology of waste processing that extracts gold and silver from electronic wastes at the Kosaka Smelter and Refinery.

2. Such industry and technology are promising. In China, the related market is expanding more than ever, and awareness of environmental preservation is also improving. Having heard Foreign Minister Aso's future-looking concept for environmental issues, I feel it is important for both Japan and China to further deepen cooperation in this field.

3. China also announced its program on the issue of climate change just before the G8 Summit Meeting. It aims to cut the amount of greenhouse gases by 20% in comparison with GDP by 2010. We intend to make serious efforts to realize this goal.

Now, I would like to take questions.

III. Questions concerning reports on the possible transfer to North Korea of funds from Banco Delta Asia

Q: Macau authorities said Thursday that procedures to transfer North Korea-related funds once frozen at a Macau bank are scheduled to begin later in the day. Do you have any updates on this? Has there been any information of that sort to the Japanese Government?

Mr. Shikata: I am fully aware of the reports from Macau along those lines. However, the Japanese Government is not in a position either to confirm or deny the reports. In any case, this issue is outside the realm of the Six-Party Talks, and should be resolved as soon as possible to urge North Korea to rapidly carry out the initial measures that it committed to in the February agreement of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: It looks like things will start moving in terms of North Korea's denuclearization steps after the Banco Delta Asia (BDA) issue is resolved. Is this how the Japanese government view this issue? If things proceed smoothly, what is the feasibility of holding a six-nation foreign ministerial talk on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in August?

Mr. Shikata: Aside from the issue of BDA, it is high time that North Korea should fulfill its commitment to take concrete actions for denuclearization, and North Korea should also address the abduction issue in a sincere fashion to improve Japan-North Korea relations and thereby contribute to the progress of the Six-Party Talks. The Japanese Government is always ready to engage in constructive dialogue in the Six-Party Talks. As for the prospect of holding a six-party foreign ministerial talk, I think it is premature to discuss it at this juncture given the North Korean attitude as we have seen during the last few months.

Q: I understand that what North Korea is really concerned is to have an operational bank account. Would transferring the BDA funds to a Russian bank satisfy North Korea and finally close the issue, or do you think that the real issue has not been resolved and there can be another BDA coming up?

Mr. Shikata: I am not in a position to explain to you what North Korea may be thinking in terms of the relations between BDA issues and the Six-Party Talks. From our viewpoint, it is extremely regrettable that North Korea has not implemented the measures at the initial stage, and we, along with other members of the Six-Party Talks, continue to strongly urge North Korea to implement them as soon as possible. Thus, there should not be an excuse for not implementing those measures which North Korea itself committed to.

As it seems that you have no more questions, I would like to end today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. See you at the next Regular Internet Chat Press Conference.

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