Press Conference, 5 February 2009

Assistance from Japan for the reconstruction of Afghanistan
Statement on the provincial elections in Iraq
Statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip
Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Abhisit of the Kingdom of Thailand
Questions concerning Japan-Thailand relations
Questions concerning the upcoming visit to Japan by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the United States
Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's prospective visit to the Russian Federation

I. Assistance from Japan for the reconstruction of Afghanistan

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon, ladies.

Let me give you a few announcements.

First, Japan has decided to provide additional assistance to Afghanistan amounting to approximately US$300 million upon a supplementary budget adaptation in the Diet last week. Foreign Minister Nakasone already told Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta about this plan on Tuesday. We recognize the year 2009 is crucial for the stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan, when the presidential and provincial elections are scheduled to be held. Parts of the Japanese assistance I mentioned are to be used in support of these elections. You can refer to the details of the Japanese program on the Foreign Ministry's website.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Statement on the provincial elections in Iraq

Mr. Kawamura: Second, Japan welcomes the fact that provincial elections in Iraq, despite election obstructions such as murder of candidates and so on, were observed calmly across the country. These elections were significant for the Iraqi democratic process. For this election, Japan had dispatched an Election Observation Mission, and I would like to reconfirm Japan's continued support for the Iraqi democratic process.

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III. Statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip

Mr. Kawamura: Third, I would like to reiterate Japan's concern about the continuation of the sporadic fighting in the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire declarations by both Israel and Palestinian militants. Japan once again urges both sides to exercise their utmost self-restraint in order to keep the ceasefire declaration. Japan supports the efforts of relevant parties, including Egypt's mediation efforts.

On the humanitarian front, Japan has decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of a total of US$7 million through UNICEF and the WFP following the pledge of US$3 million assistance in January. In addition, we are in an operation of providing aid material such as blankets and plastic sheets to the UNWRA. Japan hopes the aid materials will smoothly reach the people in Gaza.

IV. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Abhisit of the Kingdom of Thailand

Mr. Kawamura: Fourth and last, we welcome H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of Thailand, on his working visit. Prime Minister Abhisit is expected to arrive in Tokyo this afternoon. Prime Minister Taro Aso will meet with him tomorrow, Friday, the 6th.

Related Information (Press Release)

V. Questions concerning Japan-Thailand relations

Q: I would like to ask you what is on the agenda regarding Prime Minister Abhisit's visit?

Mr. Kawamura: For Prime Minister Abhisit's visit to Japan, we are expecting three main areas of discussion. The first is Japan-Thailand bilateral relations. The second area is Japan-ASEAN relations. The third is Japan-Mekong relations. Of course, in addition to those three areas, they might discuss international issues.

On the first item, the Japan-Thailand bilateral relations, I would like to draw your attention to the previous meeting between the two foreign ministers, Mr. Nakasone and Mr. Kasit, which was conducted on January the 10th in Bangkok. In that meeting, Mr. Nakasone asked the Thai government to make efforts to restore confidence so that the visits of Japanese tourists to Thailand will recover. At tomorrow's meeting between the prime ministers, they will discuss the political and economic issues, including the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and so on.

On the second item, Japan-ASEAN relations, I would like to note that Thailand is chair of ASEAN. Japan is expecting to attend the ASEAN East Asia Summit Meeting which has been on the agenda for quite some time. They may discuss this issue as well.

On Japan-Mekong relations, as you already know, 2009 is the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year. Quite recently, Foreign Minister Nakasone held the opening ceremony in Tokyo for the Japan-Mekong Exchange Year. They will review and discuss Japan-Mekong relations and the Exchange Year, as well.

On the international front, they can pick up any issues of their interest. These might include the United Nations and the UNSC reform.

Q: How much do you think the riots in Thailand and the closing down of the airport in Bangkok have impacted the relationship between Thailand and Japan in terms of tourism and business?

Mr. Kawamura: People here in Japan have a great attachment and affection for Thailand, and Japanese tourists and Japanese people hope that confidence in Thailand be restored in every part of our relations, in particular tourism and economic relations. If I recall again the meeting held between the two foreign ministers in January, in reply to this request from the Japanese side, Foreign Minister Kasit of Thailand said that the Thai government had adopted a clear policy of transparency and that no recurrence of the anti-government demonstrations was expected. He expressed his firm belief that the situation in Thailand would return to normal. We took note of what he said in the meeting and hope that the situation will improve accordingly.

Q: But protests are still going on in Thailand, and also former prime minister Thaksin has hinted that he might return to politics. Is this of any concern to the Japanese government?

Mr. Kawamura: We would like to listen carefully to what the Thai government will describe about the situation and their policies concerned.

VI. Questions concerning the upcoming visit to Japan by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the United States

Q: This is related to US-Japan relations. There is talk that Secretary of State Clinton will be visiting Japan. Do you have any information on that?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, we are expecting the visit of Secretary of State Clinton to Japan. But we are still coordinating the schedule for her visit to Japan.

Q: So it is completely confirmed?

Mr. Kawamura: Not confirmed yet. We are coordinating (discussing the plan with the United States).

Q: But are you definitely expecting her to come?

Mr. Kawamura: That's right. In the previous telephone talks between Foreign Minister Nakasone and Secretary of State Clinton, they agreed that they would explore having a meeting at an early timing. So it is the kind of expectation on both sides. The remaining question is: when?

Q: It is rumored that it would be, at the earliest, mid-February. Would she be visiting Japan before other Asian countries, then? Would Japan definitely be the first stop?

Mr. Kawamura: We are now in the process of coordination. We will come back later for confirmation of the dates.

Q: What would Japan most wish to address with Secretary of State Clinton when she is here?

Mr. Kawamura: I can't project the issues that would be taken up by Foreign Minister Nakasone and the Secretary of State. But for your information I would like to recall the conversation between Foreign Minister Nakasone and Secretary of State Clinton in January. First of all, they agreed the enhancement of the Japan-US alliance. Secretary of State Clinton said the Japan-US alliance was the cornerstone of US policy toward Asia, and expected to work together in addressing issues the international community is facing. This is the most important guideline for the Foreign Minister and Secretary of State. They also agreed to strengthen cooperative relations between the two countries, in particular in three areas.

The first area is making the best use of "smart power" to enhance the partnership between the two countries such as the assistance toward Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East, and international financial and economic issues, climate change and energy, nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, African development, and cooperation in the UN Security Council.

Another area is North Korean issues, as you are well aware, including the abduction issue. Secretary of State Clinton expressed her sympathy toward the families of the victims and the Japanese people, so we hope to cooperate further on this front.

On the Japan-US security alliance, the salient point will be the Japan-US security arrangement including the steady implementation of the realignment of the US Forces in Japan, including the relocation of the Marines to Guam.

This is a review of the previous talks between the two. We will take full note of these discussions (in preparation) for the upcoming possible meeting between Foreign Minister Nakasone and Secretary of State Clinton.

VII. Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's prospective visit to the Russian Federation

Q: Can you update us on the planning for Prime Minister Aso's visit to Sakhalin?

Mr. Kawamura: We are working on Prime Minister Aso's Sakhalin visit, but have not yet finalized the process.

Q: If the visit is realized and Prime Minister Aso has a meeting with President Medvedev of the Russian Federation, as Japan has received the invitation, what would be the main issues on the agenda?

Mr. Kawamura: Prime Minister Aso already agreed to the possibility of a meeting in Sakhalin. In case the meeting is held, they agreed that they would discuss the whole range of issues that confront Japan and Russia.

Q: Should we expect Prime Minister Aso to take up the issue of the recent dispute over the requirement for disembarkation cards for the Northern Territories? Will there be a solution at the summit or would that issue have to be worked out by a working group?

Mr. Kawamura: Theoretically, all issues could be discussed between the two leaders. Having said that, I understand the most recent issues, the disembarkation card and others, are now being dealt with through diplomatic channels, more precisely, the staff of the Japanese embassy in Moscow have been conducting talks with Russian counterparts towards the early solution of the issue. We hope that this ongoing process will be finished soon.

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