Press Conference, 21 September 2007

Statement concerning the act of terrorism in Beirut on 19 September
Adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1776 on the Extension of the International Security Assistance Force dispatched to the Islamic State of Afghanistan
Visits to the State of Bahrain and the United States of America by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera
Emergency assistance in kind to the Republic of Uganda for flood damage
Questions concerning Japan-Russia relations
Question concerning the schedule of the Six-Party Talks

I. Statement concerning the act of terrorism in Beirut on 19 September

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon, thank you very much for coming.

I have four announcements to make today.

Firstly, Japan condemns the act of terrorism in Beirut which occurred on Wednesday, 19 September, killing a number of civilians including Mr. Antoine Ghanim, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Lebanon. Japan also sends its condolences to the families of the victims. Such an act of terrorism can not be tolerated, and again Japan strongly condemns it.

II. Adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1776 on the Extension of the International Security Assistance Force dispatched to the Islamic State of Afghanistan

Mr. Taniguchi: Secondly, Japan welcomes the adoption of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1776 on the Extension of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) which is being dispatched to the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

Japan believes that it is necessary to maintain the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's supply activities for the OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) - the MIO (Maritime Interdiction Operations) as a responsible member of the international community.

Related Information (Press Release)

III. Visits to the State of Bahrain and the United States of America by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Itsunori Onodera

Mr. Taniguchi: Thirdly, Mr. Itsunori Onodera, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is now visiting the State of Bahrain and will fly to New York on Friday, 21 September.

In Bahrain, Mr. Onodera will visit the headquarters of the Maritime Interdiction Operation (OEF-MIO).

In New York, as the representative of the Government of Japan, Mr. Onodera will attend a high-level meeting on the issue of Darfur, Sudan, hosted by the United Nations and the African Union (AU).

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Emergency assistance in kind to the Republic of Uganda for flood damage

Mr. Taniguchi: Fourth and last, yesterday, 20 September, Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind worth about 12 million yen to the Republic of Uganda for the damage from large-scale flooding caused by continuous torrential rains. Japan will be sending blankets, tents and plastic sheets to the refugees in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

V. Questions concerning Japan-Russia relations

Q: I have only one question. Today, a new Russian Government is to be appointed, and Japan will also have a new Government soon. Can you comment on how that will influence Japan-Russia relations? Also, what is Japan's position toward the new Russian cabinet, and what does Japan expect of it?

Mr. Taniguchi: Firstly, I don't think it is appropriate for me to make any comment on the newly formed cabinet of the Russian Government.

About the Russia-Japan relationship, I would say the following: Looking back at the past century, the 20th Century, the bilateral relationship between the Russian Federation and Japan was not always a good one -- sometimes it was a terrible one -- but there is a widely accepted recognition here on Japan's part, within the Government of Japan, that this current century, the 21st Century, has got to be a period of time when Russia and Japan can have a much, much better relationship.

That is the basic understanding, and against this backdrop I should note that of late a number of developments have been made between the two sides, mostly on the economic front.

If you look at how much potential Russia and Japan both can have by expanding the economic networking activities between the two sides, I should also note that the economic cooperation between the two sides has grown to include such areas as cooperation on nuclear civilian energy, or the natural resources development in the Siberian part of Russia. This indicates to what extent Japan and Russia can have fruit by joining forces together.

I should also remind, if I may, the audience in Russia, that Japan is still pretty much a sizable economy, with GDP as large as China, India, and Russia combined. So, in order for Russia to grow, I must say they should not forget how important it is for Russia to cultivate good economic relationships with Japan. This is not a disputable point. Therefore any Government that will take shape soon in Japan will surely recognize its importance and validity. That is as much as I can say at this point.

Q: So there probably will not be a serious shift in policy of Japan with regard to Russia?

Mr. Taniguchi: It is hard for me to imagine a serious policy shift will take place with the new cabinet taking shape.

VI. Question concerning the schedule of the Six-Party Talks

Q: I am sorry for arriving late. I just wanted to ask, do you have any updates on the schedule of the Six-Party Talks?

Mr. Taniguchi: I am afraid not.

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