Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 19 January 2012

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 19 January 2012

  1. Visit to Japan by Dr. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
  2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maleives
  3. Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding for FY 2011
  4. Fortieth Anniversary Celebrations of the World Heritage Convention
  5. International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration into Japan
  6. Questions concerning the incident regarding three Australians boarding the Shonan Maru No. 2
  7. Questions concerning the nuclear accident investigation panel
  8. Questions concerning the visit of the Crown Prince to China
  9. Questions concerning discussions in Beijing between North Korea and Japan
  10. Questions concerning the visit of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012

  1. Visit to Japan by Dr. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

    2. Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon, everybody. I would like to start with several announcements.

    Ms. Saiki: First, on the visit of the president of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Japan. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, president of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is visiting Japan from Wednesday, January 18, to Saturday, January 21. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a summit meeting with the President this morning. In fact, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Timor-Leste. We are planning to organize a variety of events this year as the year of friendship and peace.

  2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maleives

    3. Ms. Saiki: Second, on the visit to Japan by Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives. Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with Mr. Ahmed Naseem on Wednesday, January 18. In the meeting, Minister Gemba stated that Japan would continue its support for the Maldives to the extent possible through efforts such as dispatches of missions in the agricultural and fishery fields. He remarked that Japan wanted to further improve bilateral relations in the future. The Foreign Minister of Japan also expressed his expectations that the Maldives would make further use of Japan's superior technologies for economic development and disaster prevention. In response to this statement, Minister Naseem stated that he considered increases in bilateral trade to be a pleasing trend and that he hoped to further strengthen cooperation with Japanese companies. Toward the end of the meeting, Foreign Minister Gemba expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the Maldives in the international arena in areas such as United Nations Security Council Reform and resolutions on the human rights situation in North Korea. In response, Minister Naseem stated that cooperation with Japan in the international arena was something that the people of the Maldives wanted. He stated that he would continue to support Japan's position across the board, including its position toward U.N. Security Council Reform.

  3. Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding for FY 2011

    4. Ms. Saiki: Third, on the Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding this fiscal year. The Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding is a program initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) in 2007 to develop professional civilian peacebuilders. The implementation of this program this fiscal year is commissioned to Peacebuilders, an NGO that operates the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center (HPC). Since its initiation, the program has fostered numerous Japanese and Asian civilian experts who are now contributing to peacebuilding efforts on the ground in the world. And, actually, the primary course in the program will start today, January 19. The primary course is the main course in the program and comprises six weeks of coursework in Japan and a maximum of twelve months as an oversees attachment as a U.N. volunteer. In this year's primary course, 29 program associates will participate.

  4. Fortieth Anniversary Celebrations of the World Heritage Convention

    5. Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the 40th anniversary celebrations of the World Heritage Convention. We issued a press release about them on December 27, last year. The press release, which we are redistributing to you today for reference, states the following: "Throughout the year of 2012, various events and activities will take place in Japan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by UNESCO's member states in 1972". And in particular, "On February 13, 2012, Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, will present the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate to Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture at Hiraizumi. On the same day, a launching ceremony of the 40th anniversary celebrations in Japan will be held at Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture, with her presence".

    Today, I am most pleased to invite you all to take part in the event on February 13 in Iwate Prefecture. We have distributed a program of the event. The registration deadline is Tuesday, January 31.

  5. International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and their Integration into Japan

    6. Ms. Saiki: Fifth, and last, on an international workshop co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Meiji University, and the International Organization for Migration. This year's international workshop is on the acceptance of foreign nationals and their integration into Japan. This international workshop is going to be held on Thursday, March 1, at Meiji University Surugadai Campus. If you are interested, please register by Thursday, February 16.

    Now, I will be happy to take questions from you.

  6. Questions concerning the incident regarding three Australians boarding the Shonan Maru No. 2

    7. Q: Just a very brief question following on from the issue with the arrest of the three protestors on board the Shonan Maru No. 2. Just wondering if there has been any more diplomatic contact between Australia and Japan over the resolution of this and how to avoid future incidents such as these.

    Ms. Saiki: With respect to the incident you just referred to, the Japanese Government has made strong protests to the Government of Australia and requested that it take necessary and appropriate measures to prevent these obstructive and dangerous activities from happening again in the future.

    Q: And just further to that, there does seem to be an increase in the intensity of clashes following the return of these men to Australia. Is Japan concerned or surprised by the level of violence that seems to be taking place in recent days?

    Ms. Saiki: Since the beginning of this month, it is really unfortunate and regrettable that obstructive activities have been made by the Sea Shepherd and other activists against the Japanese research whaling vessels. These obstructive activities are very dangerous and illegal. They endanger the life of the crew and the safety of the vessels at sea and must not be permitted.

  7. Questions concerning the nuclear accident investigation panel

    8. Q: I would like to ask you a question about the nuclear accident investigation panel which took place two days ago. During this panel, there was the announcement that via the Foreign Ministry, the U.S. troops were informed about the SPEEDI data already on March 14, although the public got the information I think two weeks later. So this seems to be a fact. Can you explain why this had happened? The second question would be - was there a formal decision during that time that this information should not be distributed to the public and general until the later date? Thanks.

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. I have to check with some of my colleagues responsible for the matter, and I will get back to you later.

  8. Questions concerning the visit of the Crown Prince to China

    9. Q: Another topic. There was the informal request from the Chinese government regarding a visit of the Crown Prince this year to China. I know this was not formal, so it is a little bit difficult to talk about that. But in general, what are the obstacles you the Foreign Ministry see for a visit of the Crown Prince to China in this year – regarding this year is quite important – and does it play any role that there was also the request last year for the visit of the Emperor to South Korea? Is there any link?

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. First of all, I do not believe there was any request from the Chinese Government to the Japanese Government for the Crown Prince visit to China. So, I am afraid your question is rather a hypothetical one; I am not in a position to respond. But what I can tell you today is that you are quite right in suggesting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China. So, yes, this year is quite important. That is exactly the reason why Prime Minister Noda paid a call in China at the end of last year, when Prime Minister Noda emphasized that the rise of China is a chance and opportunity to the entire world, including Japan. The leaders of the two countries, namely Japan and China, have agreed on the importance and the necessity to further enhance bilateral relations on the basis of the mutually beneficial relationship based on the common strategic interests.

  9. Questions concerning discussions in Beijing between North Korea and Japan

    10. Q: Sorry, one more question. There have been some reports that there were discussions in Beijing between North Korean authorities and Japanese authorities relating to the abduction issue, and that the discussions took place after the death of Kim Jong-Il. Just wanting to know if those reports were correct, and if the talks were held, at what level were they held? It was approved by MOFA? Or were the talks conducted by people outside of the government? Or exactly what occurred there?

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. Since the passing away of Kim Jong-Il, the Japanese authorities have not made any contacts or consultations with North Koreans with respect to the abduction issue or others.

    Q: So those reports are wrong? Or were they talks perhaps between North Koreans and the other interested parties outside the government of Japan? Or was it totally erroneous?

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you. In fact, I am aware of an article in the papers that one of the members of the Parliament, the Japanese Diet, visited China to make some contacts with North Koreans. But I am not in the position to make any comments or explanations on that since it was an act conducted by a member of the Diet.

  10. Questions concerning the visit of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012

    11. Q: Very short one. I read that the former Prime Minister Naoto Kan will visit Davos. Will he do this on behalf of Prime Minister Noda or is this a personal journey? I mean has Prime Minister Noda really asked Naoto Kan to go to Davos on behalf of his person?

    Ms. Saiki: No. The former Prime Minister, Mr. Kan has received an invitation from the WEF to attend one of the sessions. That is why the former Prime Minister Kan is planning to visit Davos. It is separate from the inability on the part of Prime Minister Noda to attend the annual meeting in Davos.

    Any other questions?

    So this concludes today's conference. Thank you for coming.

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