Top > Announcement > Press Conference by the Press Secretary of MOFA > 31 May 2012

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 31 May 2012

  1. Japan-Brazil Summit Telephone Conversation
  2. Visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq
  3. Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting
  4. Substantial Agreement on Negotiations with respect to an Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security
  5. Massacre in Houla, Syria
  6. Visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro
  7. Visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
  8. Visit to Japan by the President of the Slovak Republic

1. Japan-Brazil Summit Telephone Conversation

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me begin with several announcements.

Ms. Saiki: First, on a Japan-Brazil Summit telephone conversation. Yesterday, on 30 May, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a telephone talk with Ms. Dilma Vana Rousseff, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The essence of the conversation was two-fold. The first point was regarding the Rio+20. President Rousseff requested Prime Minister Noda's participation in the Rio+20, that is, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, which is going to be held in Rio de Janeiro from 20-22 June. Prime Minister Noda responded by saying that, while Japan would like to contribute to the success of the conference, a question as to who will represent Japan is being discussed at present. He continued to state that he would like to decide it as early as possible.

The second was about the cooperation between the two countries. Both leaders agreed to cooperate towards the early realization of the reform of the United Nations Security Council and in response to the global economy. They concurred in continuing close cooperation in various other issues relating to North Korea.

2. Visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq

Ms. Saiki: Second, on the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq. On 29 May, Prime Minister Noda received a courtesy call from Minister Houshyar Zebari, Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister Noda commented that he hoped Minister Zebari would play a leadership role in improving the business environment and the security situation in Iraq. They affirmed that, on the basis of the joint statement issued by Prime Minister Noda himself and Prime Minister al-Maliki at the time of Prime Minister al-Maliki's visit to Japan in November of last year, Japan and Iraq will further strengthen their business relationship. Minister Zebari added that Iraq would work hard to make improvements regarding impediments to investment in the country in order to further enhance the business relationship between the two countries.

Also, on 29 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba hosted a dinner meeting for Mr. Houshyar Zebari. They agreed on the importance of high-level political dialogues, and on the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation in the areas of education and culture. The two foreign ministers further exchanged frank views and opinions regarding the regional situations, including Iran and Syria.

3. Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting

Ms. Saiki: Third, on the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting. On 25-26 May, the Sixth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting took place in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Noda and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mr. Puna. Leaders and representatives of 17 countries and regions, including Japan, participated in the Summit. At the end of the Summit, the Leaders adopted the Okinawa “Kizuna” Declaration.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Noda expressed that Japan will provide up to USD 500 million in aid and make maximum efforts over the next three years in order to push forward cooperation in accordance with the five pillars for cooperation agreed upon at the Summit. Namely, the five pillars are: response to natural disasters; environment and climate change; sustainable development and human security; people-to-people exchanges; and maritime issues.

The Forum Island Countries expressed their deepest gratitude to Japan for continuing its strong commitment to the region.

4. Substantial Agreement on Negotiations with respect to an Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the substantial agreement on negotiations with respect to an Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security. The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of India reached substantial agreement on an Agreement between Japan and India on Social Security yesterday on 30 May. Employees sent from Japan to India, as well as those sent from India to Japan, are currently obliged to affiliate to the social security systems of both countries, thus causing duplicable payments of social security contribution, which impose a huge economic burden on both individuals and corporations. It is expected that the conclusion of the Agreement will solve these problems through reducing the burden imposed on the employees and corporations, and further promote human and economic exchanges between the two countries.

5. Massacre in Houla, Syria

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on Syria. Following the massacre in Houla, Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba issued a statement in which he resolutely condemns brutal acts of violence. Also, he has offered his deepest condolences to the victims and their families.

It is clear that the major responsibility for the massacre lies with the Syrian Government, which has not yet implemented the proposal by Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States Kofi Annan to immediately stop the deployment of troops in and around residential areas, halt the use of heavy weapons, and start the withdrawal of military forces. Japan once again strongly demands that the Syrian Government fully implement the proposal by Joint Special Envoy Annan and uphold its responsibility to protect the civilians.

In this connection, yesterday on 30 May, the Government of Japan requested the Syrian Ambassador to Japan, Mr. al-Habash, to depart as soon as possible. It is a political measure to express Japan's protest to the Government of Syria.

6. Visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro

Ms. Saiki: Sixth, on the visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro. Mr. Milan Roćen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, and Ms. Stana Roćen, will pay a visit to Japan from 3-6 June upon invitation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister Roćen will be the first Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration visiting Japan from Montenegro.

7. Visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo

Ms. Saiki: Seventh, on the visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo. Mr. Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of Kosovo, will visit Japan from 6-9 June. This is the first visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo to Japan.

8. Visit to Japan by the President of the Slovak Republic

Ms. Saiki: Eighth, on the visit to Japan by the President of the Slovak Republic. Mr. Ivan Gašparovič, President of the Slovak Republic, and Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová, will pay an official working visit to Japan from 26-30 June.

With these initial announcements, I would be happy to take questions from you.

No questions? Then I will conclude today's conference. Thank you.

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