Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 29 October 2009

Condemnation of the bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Meeting between Foreign Minister Okada members of the African Diplomatic Corps
Meeting between Minister Okada and Foreign Minister Murray McCully of New Zealand
Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic of Serbia
Question concerning the updated TICAD IV website
Question concerning the bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Question concerning the doubling of aid to African countries by 2012
Questions concerning cooperation toward resolving the conflicts in Sudan and Somalia

I. Condemnation of the bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Let me start with a couple of opening announcements.

First, on the bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday. We, Japan, again express our condemnation of the bombings as an inexcusable act. We strongly reject terrorism in any form and manifestation, and reiterate that there can be no justification for any act of terrorism.

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II. Meeting between Foreign Minister Okada members of the African Diplomatic Corps

Mr. Kawamura: Second, on Monday, the 26th, Foreign Minister Okada met with the members of the African Diplomatic Corps.

In their meeting, Minister Okada affirmed the two fundamental principles of Japan's policy toward Africa under the new Administration: (i) to assist Africa's development and growth, and (ii) to contribute to the peace and stability of Africa. On development, Minister Okada said that Japan intended to continue and strengthen the TICAD process, and it would fulfill the commitment to double Japan's ODA and provide assistance for doubling Japanese private investments into Africa by 2012.

On the peace and stability front, Minister Okada underlined that Japan would play a role in establishing and consolidating peace, including Peace Keeping Operations, by introducing the administration's intention to examine possible ways and means which would enable Japan to more proactively engage itself with the PKO activities, including the amendment of the International Peace Cooperation Law. Minister Okada added that Japan intended to make further contribution to the resolution of the conflicts in Sudan, Somalia, and other regions in intensifying the cooperation with the African Union.

For your information today, we have updated our web pages on the current status of the TICAD IV Follow-up by the Government of Japan.

Some of the updates would include the numbers of grant/loan assistance which have already been implemented. For example, 16 grant assistance projects, 4 loan assistance projects, and 10 technical assistance projects. Food aid amounting to 23.38 billion yen was decided for 30 African countries in FY 2008/2009. And also, information on a forum to facilitate trade and tourism in Africa. I would recommend that you visit the Ministry's website (http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad/ticad4/mechanism.html).

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III. Meeting between Minister Okada and Foreign Minister Murray McCully of New Zealand

Mr. Kawamura: Third, on New Zealand. Last evening, Minister Okada had a meeting with visiting New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. The two Ministers signed the Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology. At the following meeting, the two discussed bilateral regional and global issues including the security and defense relationship, EPAs/FTAs, whaling, Afghanistan and Pakistan, North Korea, and UN Security Council reform.

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IV. Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic of Serbia

Mr. Kawamura: The fourth and last, on incoming visits to Japan by foreign dignitaries. This morning, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic arrived in Japan. Minister Okada and Minister Jeremic are scheduled to hold a meeting this evening.

That is all from me. Now, I would like to invite your questions.

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V. Question concerning the updated TICAD IV website

Q: Could you repeat the web site address?

Mr. Kawamura: If you go to the MOFA website then go to the columns of ODA or Africa, either way you can reach the TICAD page.

VI. Question concerning the bombings in Pakistan

Q: Many buildings have been lost in the incident yesterday. For this kind of destruction of big cities is some special kind of help or assistance needed?

Mr. Kawamura: We are under a thorough examination of the case, but first of all the magnitude of the destruction was huge, so we need to carefully monitor how this incident happened, and what were the motives behind it. At this moment we reiterate our condemnation against terrorism and express our readiness to continue to cooperate with the international community to confront terrorism.

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VII. Question concerning the doubling of aid to African countries by 2012

Q: You said that by 2012 aid to African countries will be doubled?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, but this is not a brand new commitment. Rather, you may recall the Yokohama TIDAD IV Summit Meeting, which was held in Japan in May 2008. As a result of the TICAD IV meeting Japan made a commitment to double Japan's ODA towards African countries and Japan also committed to assistance in order to double the Japanese private investments into Africa, and the target for both goals were set in the year 2012. On Monday, Minister Okada reaffirmed Japan's determination to help Africa, even at this time of difficult economic situations, to assist Africa's development and growth and contribute to peace and stability. In other words, the TICAD IV commitment of Japan has been firmly reaffirmed by the new Administration.

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VIII. Questions concerning cooperation toward resolving the conflicts in Sudan and Somalia

Q: What were the details of cooperation with Sudan and Somalia for internal conflicts? What is the nature of cooperation?

Mr. Kawamura: Definitely the intention of Minister Okada was to examine the state of Japan's cooperation toward those areas, and he would explore the possible ways and means to intensify the contributions of Japanese cooperation to the United Nations Peacekeeping efforts in this region, and one of the possible measures that he hinted at was the existing Japanese PKO Act. So through those processes Japan would consider further assistance toward building peace and stability in the region.

Q: Like in Sudan, if there are two conflicting parties...

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, North and South, I suppose you mean. There was a comprehensive political agreement between the North and the South for ceasefire and we, Japan, support that that agreement be respected and be implemented, but at the same time we still are concerned with the current situations in Sudan.

Q: Is Japan thinking to invite leaders from both sides to have some kind of meeting or conference in Tokyo?

Mr. Kawamura: Mediation efforts, you mean? Just at this moment I cannot give a clear reply to your suggestion, but we will continue to explore how Japan could best contribute to the peacebuilding in Sudan as Minister Okada said on Monday.

Q: In my opinion war meetings that the big countries can arrange can be of benefit, and provide them sort of common platforms to meet and there are more chances of meeting and exchanging views. In my opinion that will help.

Mr. Kawamura: Thank you, I will take note of your precious opinion and comments, and we will consult with the parties concerned.

Q: Because once they come to Tokyo then all they have been invited to have some sort of discussions and there are more chances of reaching an agreement, because most problems can be solved by meeting, if they by themselves cannot have more meetings and more going towards a conciliation.

Mr. Kawamura: Thank you very much for your good suggestion out of your own experiences, I suppose, in dealing with regional conflicts.

Thank you very much.

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