Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 3 December 2009

Adoption of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament at the 64th session of the United Nations
Inauguration of Mr. Yukiya Amano as the 5th Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The United States' new strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Visit to Okinawa by Foreign Minister Okada
Award presentation ceremony for the Third International Manga Award
Questions concerning the International Manga Award and the role of culture as a diplomatic tool
Questions concerning the timing of the final settlement of the Futenma relocation issue
Question concerning the Nuclear Security Summit

Adoption of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament at the 64th session of the United Nations

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

The first thing is about nuclear disarmament. We are pleased to note this morning that the 64th session of the United Nations has adopted the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament which Japan submitted along with 87 co-sponsor nations. The draft resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 171 in favor, 2 against, with 8 abstentions. This resolution aims to share the determination for a world with nuclear weapons, and it refers to the UN Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament on September 24, as well as the importance of preventing nuclear terrorism.

This resolution is one of the leading proactive measures toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation announced by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama the UN Security Summit in September.

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Inauguration of Mr. Yukiya Amano as the 5th Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Mr. Kawamura: Second, on the IAEA, Mr. Yukiya Amano, Former Ambassador in charge of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Energy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was inaugurated as the 5th Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is a great pleasure for Japan that the first ever Director General from Japan, as well as from Asia, will now lead the IAEA, which aims at both ensuring nuclear non-proliferation and encouraging peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Japan expects that Director General Amano will actively address challenges the IAEA faces including the nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran as well as technical cooperation for nuclear energy to address global issues.

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The United States' new strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan

Mr. Kawamura: Third, to recapture yesterday's statement by Foreign Minister Okada on the United States' new strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Japan values the role the US is playing in Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcomes this strategy. Japan expects that the dispatch of additional troops to Afghanistan by the US and other countries, the enhancement of civil assistance, and closer cooperation with Pakistan will improve the situation of Afghanistan and the region. Japan on its part will continue to support Afghanistan and Pakistan's respective efforts through the new assistance package to those countries announced on November 10.

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Visit to Okinawa by Foreign Minister Okada

Mr. Kawamura: Foreign Minister Okada is going to visit Okinawa again on December the 4th and the 5th, to exchange views with the local leaders and the residents.

Award presentation ceremony for the Third International Manga Award

Mr. Kawamura: Lastly, on Japanese contemporary culture, tomorrow on December 4th, we will hold an award presentation ceremony concerning the Third International Manga Award at Iikura guest house, with the presence of Foreign Minister Okada.

We received 303 entries this year from 55 countries and regions over the world and one artist received a Gold award and three others received Silver. You have the leaflets for information about the ceremony. All journalists are welcome for coverage of the event and the reception.

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

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Questions concerning the International Manga Award and the role of culture as a diplomatic tool

Q: I think this International Manga Award was created by former Prime Minister Taro Aso, who was from the Liberal Democratic Party. Would the change of Government affect this award? Is this going to continue?

Mr. Kawamura: Manga is, as you know, the focal point of Japanese contemporary culture, as the world attention on manga and anime continues. Think of the role of the Government in this area of cultural affairs. It is to support, not to lead, the non-governmental activities and secure a friendly environment to meet with sound interests in Japanese culture, especially among the youngsters in the world. That is the reason why we continuously present the International Manga Award. We will respond to the international attention on Japanese contemporary culture and will continue to explore the best way to meet with those interests and expectations.

Q: So the Foreign Ministry's idea that Japanese pop culture, including manga, remains an important diplomatic tool, remains the same even after the change of Government?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, culture in general is a kind of very sophisticated area, where we need to carefully monitor how international attention grows and on which areas. We need to explore how the Japanese diplomacy should creatively respond to this. The bottom line here is that the leading role should be played by the non-governmental sectors or artistic people themselves, and the Government should play a supplementary, supporting role so that world interest in Japanese culture grows in a sound manner. From that perspective we will develop and consider the ways how the Japanese Government should be involved in this area.

Questions concerning the timing of the final settlement of the Futenma relocation issue

Q: About the Futenma relocation issue, media reports say, and I think were citing high-level government officials, that the final settlement of the issue will go beyond the end of the year. How do think this will affect Japan-US relations?

Mr. Kawamura: I read the press coverage on this subject, and Foreign Minister Okada thinks that he would make the best efforts so that the final conclusion be found or reached by the end of this year, but he also mentioned that Prime Minister Hatoyama should make the final decision himself.

We continue to consider several elements that would be involved in the examinations and decisions. One is the Japan-US relations, another is the past successive procedures, in other words, how they reached this agreement, and additionally the wish of the local communities in Okinawa. Time is also quite an important element, but we will comprehensively take all those elements into consideration, and then the final decision should be made in appropriate timing.

Q: Generally speaking, in terms of when one country engages in diplomacy, isn't it confusing when one minister says that he wants to end this issue by the end of the year and the Prime Minister says a different thing? Isn't it kind of sending a confusing message to other countries that are involved in this issue?

Mr. Kawamura: I think the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, all of those three key ministers said clearly that it is a good thing to have different opinions to discuss the elements on a particular policy issue, but the bottom line, as they also agree, is that after the discussion the final decision should be made at the Supreme level as Mr. Okada said that the final decision should be made by Prime Minister Hatoyama. That is quite certain. I think this has been transmitted, and understood by the United States, as well.

Question concerning the Nuclear Security Summit

Q: I would also like to hear about the preparation meeting for the inaugural Nuclear Summit, which the United States is initiating.

(Mr. Kawamura: The one which is going on now?)

Q: I heard that the chair, Mr. Seymour, was not able to come to the meeting. What was the reason for his cancellation?

Mr. Kawamura: Let me find out the details and get back to you later.

Thank you very much.

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