Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 22 March 2012

Agreement in Principle on an Investment Agreement among Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea
Temporary Closure of the Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic
A Series of Terrorist Attacks in Iraq
Establishment of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) Secretariat
Briefing Session for the Diplomatic Corps and Foreign Companies in Tokyo concerning the Special Zone for Reconstruction
International Journalists Symposium 2012: The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Role of the Media
Visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of Canada
Visit to Japan by the President of the Republic of Chile
Visit to Japan by the King of Bahrain
Question concerning the stance of the Japanese Government in regard to the situation in Iraq

Agreement in Principle on an Investment Agreement among Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to start by touching upon several topics.

Ms. Saiki: First, on agreement in principle on an investment agreement among Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea. Yesterday, on March 21, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea reached a substantial agreement in the negotiation of the trilateral investment agreement. The conclusion of the negotiation will give impetus to discussions on a trilateral Free Trade Agreement among these countries. Three of us agreed to proceed with work towards the early signing of the trilateral agreement on investment.

Temporary Closure of the Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic

Ms. Saiki: Second, on the temporary closure of the Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic. Since Wednesday, March 21, due to the deteriorating security situation within Syria, including the capital city of Damascus, the Embassy of Japan in Syria has been closed temporarily, and its duties will be continued at the temporary office within the Embassy of Japan in Jordan.

A Series of Terrorist Attacks in Iraq

Ms. Saiki: Third, on a series of terrorist attacks in Iraq. Japan has been greatly shocked and felt indignant at the series of terrorist attacks in cities of Iraq, including Baghdad, on March 20, which caused many deaths and injuries. Japan expresses its deepest condolences for those who have been killed in the attacks and their bereaved families. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan condemns these atrocious acts of terrorism that indiscriminately target innocent people. As the Arab Summit Meeting is scheduled to be held from 27-29 March in Baghdad for the first time in 22 years, Japan hopes that the Iraqi Government and its people continue to make efforts for the stabilization of the security situation. Japan will continue to proactively support such efforts by Iraq.

Establishment of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) Secretariat

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the establishment of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) Secretariat. On Wednesday, March 21, the TICAD V Secretariat was established under the Director-General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Secretariat will carry out the overall operations, including logistics, for TICAD V, which will be held from June 1-3, 2013 in Yokohama.

Briefing Session for the Diplomatic Corps and Foreign Companies in Tokyo concerning the Special Zone for Reconstruction

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on a briefing session for the diplomatic corps and foreign companies in Tokyo concerning the special zone for reconstruction. On Friday, March 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will hold a briefing for the diplomatic corps and foreign companies in Tokyo concerning the special zone for reconstruction jointly with the Cabinet Office, Reconstruction Agency, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). One year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, and as reconstruction of the affected areas shifts into full swing, interests in the reconstruction business from abroad are increasing. For the purpose of promoting investment from overseas and accelerating the "open reconstruction" of the affected areas, explanations on the current situation of reconstruction, the overview of the reconstruction special zone system, and various measures taken concerning attraction of enterprises into the affected areas will be given by officials of the authorities concerned, including local governments, to the diplomatic corps and foreign companies in Tokyo. That will take place tomorrow.

International Journalists Symposium 2012: The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Role of the Media

Ms. Saiki: Sixth, on an International Journalists Symposium 2012 on Friday, March 23; again, tomorrow. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will host the "International Journalists Symposium 2012: The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Role of the Media". The venue will be at International Conference Hall of JICA Research Institute. This symposium will be attended by Japanese journalists of national papers, TV, and the media in the disaster-affected area, as well as international journalists from China, Germany, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United States in order to examine disaster reporting by the media, and to discuss the role of the media in the reconstruction process from their respective viewpoints.

Visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of Canada

Ms. Saiki: Seventh, on the visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of Canada. From Saturday, March 24 to Monday, March 26, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada will make a working visit to Japan. He will be accompanied by the Minister for International Cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

Visit to Japan by the President of the Republic of Chile

Ms. Saiki: Eighth, on the visit to Japan by the President of the Republic of Chile. President Sebastian Piñera Echenique of Chile will pay a working visit to Japan from Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30, accompanied by his spouse.

Visit to Japan by the King of Bahrain

Ms. Saiki: Ninth, on the visit to Japan by the King of Bahrain. King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain will pay an official working visit to Japan from Wednesday, April 11 to Friday, April 13.

That concludes my initial announcements. I would be happy to take any questions you may have.

Question concerning the stance of the Japanese Government in regard to the situation in Iraq

Q: Thank you very much for such statements. I just have a small question connected with the recent developments in Iraq. What do you think about such situations as affecting the vision of the Japanese Government, how they are looking at Iraq, while the Government of Iraq is doing its utmost to secure the situation? In the Japanese vision, what do you think they are thinking about this situation in Iraq?

Ms. Saiki: First of all, what I can say here is that our thoughts, the Japanese people's thoughts, are with the Iraqi people in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in Iraq. We would like to express our deepest condolences for those who have been killed in the attacks and their bereaved families, and we are ready to make any cooperation with the Iraqi Government in order to maintain and enhance the security situation in Iraq. We are really hoping for the improvement of the situation.

Q: Thank you.

Ms. Saiki: You are welcome.

Any other questions or comments?
So, this is the end of my press conference today. Thank you very much.

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