Press Conference, 26 June 2007

Visit to Japan by President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Republic of Guyana
Visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Fourth Dialogue on Environmental Education
Emergency assistance for internally displaced persons in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic caused by the effects of the Darfur conflict
Japan-Czech Republic Social Security Agreement
"2007 US Image of Japan Study" poll result
Questions concerning allegations by Ms. Do Chuji that she had been abducted by Japanese authorities
Question concerning the Ninth Japan-China Consultations on the East China Sea and Related Matters
Question concerning inspections of North Korean nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Question concerning the upcoming visit to Japan by Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Naryshkin of the Russian Federation
Follow-up question concerning allegations by Ms. Do Chuji that she had been abducted by Japanese authorities

I. Visit to Japan by President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Republic of Guyana

Assistant Press Secretary Noriyuki Shikata: Good afternoon, thanks very much for coming. I have the following six initial remarks.

First, President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Republic of Guyana is in town, and is meeting with Prime Minister Abe this evening. After the summit meeting, there will be the signing of a Japan-Guyana Joint Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation in Environment and Climate Change Issues. This will be the first standalone document the Japanese Government issues with another country to promote international cooperation for Prime Minister Abe's "Cool Earth 50" initiative. Please try to read the Joint Declaration upon release this evening since it will contain some substantive areas for cooperation, such as sustainable management of the Guyanese tropical forest, which is part of the Amazon Forest. This has significance not only in absorbing greenhouse gasses, but also biodiversity conservation. The Japanese Government is also extending assistance for water supply in Corriverton in Guyana to ensure safe drinking water there.

II. Visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Mr. Shikata: Second, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama is visiting Japan this week. This is his first visit to Japan since taking office as Foreign Minister this January, and tomorrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso will discuss with him challenges and the future outlook of Sri Lanka's peace process. The Japanese Government will continue to play an active role in realizing peace in Sri Lanka, with Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Japanese Government on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, actively engaged in diplomatic activities to push forward the peace process.

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III. Fourth Dialogue on Environmental Education

Mr. Shikata: Third, the Fourth Dialogue on Environmental Education will be held today and tomorrow in Kitakyushu City. This meeting is held within the framework of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). Representatives of the ACD countries in charge of negotiations on global warming, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Kitakyushu City, as well as specialists will attend the dialogue. Environmental education is extremely important as a measure against global warming, and the Japanese Government intends to actively participate in this dialogue.

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IV. Emergency assistance for internally displaced persons in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic caused by the effects of the Darfur conflict

Mr. Shikata: Fourth, today, related to the Darfur conflict, the Japanese Government decided to extend emergency assistance totaling about US$4 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to improve the humanitarian situation of the internally-displaced persons in the eastern part of Chad and the northeastern part of the Central African Republic who have been displaced by the effects of the Darfur conflict in Sudan.

This emergency assistance is intended to protect these refugees, improve the hygienic situation by providing wells, water supply facilities, and public lavatories and provide them with nonfood articles such as blankets, soap, and sets of kitchen utensils. It is hoped that this assistance will contribute to immediately improving the inhumane situation of internally-displaced persons in both countries.

We are also considering additional food assistance to the Republic of the Sudan and Chad. This will add up to US$14.5 million for assistance to Sudan and its surrounding countries. This is in addition to Japan's assistance to Sudan totaling US$160 million that has been implemented during the last two years.

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V. Japan-Czech Republic Social Security Agreement

Mr. Shikata: Fifth, the first negotiation for the Japan-Czech Republic Social Security Agreement is being held from Monday to Friday in Tokyo.

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VI. "2007 US Image of Japan Study" poll result

Mr. Shikata: Sixth, and lastly, yesterday evening we announced the result of the opinion poll titled "2007 US Image of Japan Study." In this poll among American people, the perception of Japan as a dependable ally remains at a very high level, with 74 percent of the general public and 91 percent of opinion leaders. For further information, please take a look at our Web page.

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VII. Questions concerning allegations by Ms. Do Chuji that she had been abducted by Japanese authorities

Q: A North Korean woman gave a news conference today at the North Korean embassy in Beijing, saying that she was abducted by Japan in 2003. I was wondering, seeing as the abduction issue is a very high one for Japan, to have a North Korean woman say that she has been abducted by Japan -- if you could comment on this?

Mr. Shikata: Of course there is no such case of abduction of North Korean individuals, or any individuals, by Japanese authorities. We are aware of the press conference held by the lady, whose name is Do Chuji; she had a press conference in Beijing. We are following the situation and the information. However, if an individual who fled North Korea and entered Japan was obliged to reenter North Korea for reasons we do not know, we think it is regrettable. We understand that the lady has children back in North Korea, and naturally misses them.

Q: So basically Japan is denying its -- ?

Mr. Shikata: Obviously this is not a case of abduction. We are assuming that the person who held the press conference is somebody whom we have identified, and that lady fled from North Korea in November about four years ago.

Q: So that is November 2003?

Mr. Shikata: I think that person probably fled from North Korea in 2003, right.

VIII. Question concerning the Ninth Japan-China Consultations on the East China Sea and Related Matters

Q: The gas talks between Japan and China have just started now. I was wondering what kind of expectations Japan has for this round of talks.

Mr. Shikata: Since we are just starting our negotiations today, it is a bit difficult for me to comment on the status of negotiation. We are hoping that there would be an equitable resolution of the issue. As was agreed when Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China visited Japan in April, this issue will be reported to our top leaders later this year. We need to see tangible progress in the negotiations.

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IX. Question concerning inspections of North Korean nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Q: What do you expect of the visit by the IAEA deputy director to North Korea? Is he supposed to come to Japan after that?

Mr. Shikata: As of now I do not think there are any plans for an IAEA representative to come to Tokyo. At this juncture it is indispensable that concrete measures toward denuclearization, such as the shutdown and sealing of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, are taken. In this regard, this visit by a representative of the IAEA to North Korea could contribute to that process, so we urge North Korea to take concrete measures as has been promised in the February Six-Party Talks agreement.

X. Question concerning the upcoming visit to Japan by Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Naryshkin of the Russian Federation

Q: About the working visit by Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Sergey Naryshkin, to Japan: as far as we know he is supposed to come to Japan on 1 July and he will probably meet with Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Aso. What are the preparations for his visit? What are Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Aso supposed to discuss with him?

Mr. Shikata: As of today, I am not in a position to tell you the exact timing of the visit. This visit is something which is under preparation and we have not announced the concrete timing schedule of the visit.

XI. Follow-up question concerning allegations by Ms. Do Chuji that she had been abducted by Japanese authorities

Q: About the North Korean woman: as far as I understand she said she had been abducted by the Japanese Government.

Mr. Shikata: There is no such case, as I explained already. I mentioned that if this is the case -- that the North Korea lady who fled from North Korea was obliged to return to North Korea for reasons we do not know -- we think it is regrettable. As far as the allegations of abduction, they have no basis whatsoever.

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