Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 23 February 2012

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 23 February 2012

  1. Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba and MOFA/GRIPS Joint Symposium
  2. International Workshop on the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Policy on Foreign Nationals
  3. International Energy Seminar about Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing Disaster-Affected Areas
  4. Meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania
  5. Meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique
  6. Question concerning the Agreement with the US for a 20% Cut in Oil Imports from Iran
  7. Question concerning Investment Agreements and Similar Kind of Agreements

  1. Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba and MOFA/GRIPS Joint Symposium

    2. Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me start by touching upon a few issues.

    Ms. Saiki: On 28 February 2012, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies will co-host a symposium titled "Overcoming Japan's Inward-Looking Tendency: Japan's Global Agenda and its Human Resources Development Strategy". At the beginning of the symposium, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba is going to deliver a keynote speech on the development of Japan's international cooperation strategy. Following this, experts and specialists in various fields will be discussing as to what policies and measures are needed for Japan to foster global human resources, thereby continuing to fulfill its role as a key member of the international community.

  2. International Workshop on the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Policy on Foreign Nationals

    3. Ms. Saiki: The next topic is an international workshop. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Meiji University, and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) will organize the "FY 2011 international workshop on acceptance on foreign nationals and their integration into Japan" on Thursday, 1 March at Meiji University in Tokyo. Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ryuji Yamane is going to attend the workshop in order to make opening remarks.

  3. International Energy Seminar about Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing Disaster-Affected Areas

    4. Ms. Saiki: Now, I would like to provide you with detailed information on an international energy seminar about smart community proposals for reconstructing disaster affected areas. In fact, a month ago I touched upon this topic in one of my press conferences as, so to speak, an advance notice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment will jointly host an International Energy Seminar on Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing the Disaster Affected Areas in Fukushima Prefecture on Friday, 2 March, in cooperation with Fukushima Prefecture as co-host. Citizens and local government officials from the disaster affected areas, experts and company representatives in fields related to smart community, and the ministries, agencies and organizations concerned will participate in the seminar. We have distributed the program to you for reference.

  4. Meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania

    5. Ms. Saiki: Lastly, let me share with you the outcome of the two summit meetings that have taken place this week. On Monday, February 20, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with Mr. Adrius Kubilius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, who was visiting Japan. With respect to a Japan/EU economic partnership agreement, Prime Minister Noda expressed his expectation for the early start of the negotiation of a Japan/EU economic partnership agreement. In response, Prime Minister Kubilius of Lithuania expressed his intention of placing an emphasis on the progress of a Japan/EU EPA.

  5. Meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique

    6. Ms. Saiki: On Tuesday, February 21, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with Mr. Aires Bonifacio Baptista Ali, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, who was on a working visit to Japan. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthening the cooperative relationship in the area of resource development including coal and natural gas. They agreed to start negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement, which had been requested by Mozambique, with a view to promoting investment into the country. Furthermore, with regard to economic cooperation, Prime Minister Noda expressed his intention to work proactively not only on poverty reduction, but also on assistance contributing to the development of business activities between the two countries.

    Now I will be happy to take your questions.
    Yes, please.

  6. Question concerning the Agreement with the US for a 20% Cut in Oil Imports from Iran

    7. Q: I have a question regarding a newspaper report that Japan is in final talks with the US on an agreement that could lead to a 20% cut in oil imports from Iran. Do you have any comment on that?

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. We are aware of the report you referred to. The fact of the matter is that Japan and the United States have been consulting with each other for some time with respect to the application of the US National Defense Authorization Act. We are approaching the final stage of coordination in terms of deepening our mutual understanding, but we are still in the process of consulting with each other.

  7. Question concerning Investment Agreements and Similar Kind of Agreements

    8. Q: I have another question regarding the current talks between Japan and Mozambique. Are there any other African countries that Japan may negotiate with in the future to enter a similar kind of agreement to the one which Japan has recently entered with Mozambique?

    Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. In fact, we have not concluded a particular agreement with Mozambique yet. We have agreed upon the initiation of negotiations toward concluding an investment agreement between the two countries, at the request of the government of Mozambique. As you are probably aware, Japan has concluded quite a few bilateral investment agreements with various countries as well as economic partnership agreements or free trade agreements with a dozen of countries. As for the latter, namely economic partnership agreements or free trade agreements, for instance, as I explained at the outset, we have been consulting with the European Union and its member states with a view to entering into negotiations for an EPA between Japan and the European Union at an early date.

    Are there any other questions?
    I see none. This concludes today's conference. Thank you.

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