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

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 19 July 2012

  1. ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings
  2. Emergency Grant Aid for Sudanese Refugees fled to the Republic of South Sudan
  3. Visit to Japan by Minister of Economy of the Republic of Turkey
  4. The 2nd Japan-China-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations, the 2nd Japan-China Counter-Terrorism Consultations and the 6th Japan-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations
  5. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
  6. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
  7. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia

1. ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings

Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. I would like to begin by touching upon several issues.

Ms. Saiki: First, on ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings held in Cambodia last week. Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, co-chaired the Japan-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Foreign Minister Marti Natalegawa of Indonesia. In fact, Indonesia is the ASEAN coordinating country for Japan. The Foreign Ministers in the meeting agreed that various commemorative events would be organized over the next year as 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the exchanges between Japan and ASEAN, and that Japan would host the special summit meeting in December of next year as part of this.

Minister Gemba also attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, and other meetings including a few bilaterals. At the series of meetings, Foreign Minister Gemba emphasized the importance of the international community showing a resolute attitude about the prevention of further provocative acts by North Korea including nuclear tests as well as the need for North Korea to take concrete action in order to resume dialogue. In addition, he called on the participating countries and North Korea with regard to the importance of resolving the abduction issue.

Furthermore, on the situation in the South China Sea, the Foreign Minister of Japan pointed out that the issue is directly linked to the peace and stability in the region and thus, a common point of interest for the international community, and said that it was crucial for all relevant countries to observe international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He stated that there is a need for the basis of claims to be made clear in line with international law, and for the parties involved to refrain from unilateral actions. Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba also stressed the importance of resolving issues and disputes by peaceful means in accordance with relevant international laws.

There was a Japan-US-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well. The Ministers shared the view that Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea would continue to cooperate on North Korean issues with the relevant countries, including the People’s Republic of China and Russia. They also had an exchange of views on regional situations and global issues.

Then, Minister Gemba visited Viet Nam, where he co-chaired the 4th Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation Committee and held some bilateral meetings respectively with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Trong, Prime Minister Dung, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Minh. Through the series of meetings, it was reconfirmed that Japan and Viet Nam have a relationship of shared strategic benefits. They were able to have extremely significant deliberations in the field of politics and security centering on economic relations.

2. Emergency Grant Aid for Sudanese Refugees fled to the Republic of South Sudan

Ms. Saiki: Second, on the Emergency Grant Aid for Sudanese Refugees fled to the Republic of South Sudan. On 13 July, the Government of Japan decided to contribute 2.04 million US dollars in emergency grant aid in order to support Sudanese refugees that fled to South Sudan due to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the southern part of Sudan. The Government of Japan will provide assistance in sectors of healthcare, water, and hygiene as soon as possible, in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

3. Visit to Japan by Minister of Economy of the Republic of Turkey

Ms. Saiki: Third, on the visit to Japan by Minister of Economy of the Republic of Turkey. Mr. Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Economy of Turkey, is visiting Japan from yesterday 18 July to 21. There is going to be a signing ceremony of a memorandum on establishing a framework for cooperation in economic relations between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey this afternoon by, on behalf of Japan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba and Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano; and on behalf of the Republic of Turkey, Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan.

4. The 2nd Japan-China-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations, the 2nd Japan-China Counter-Terrorism Consultations and the 6th Japan-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations

Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on the 2nd Japan-China-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations, the 2nd Japan-China Counter-Terrorism Consultations, and the 6th Japan-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations. The 2nd Japan-China-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations are being held in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture yesterday on 18 July and today on 19. At the same time, the 2nd Japan-China Counter-Terrorism Consultations and the 6th Japan-ROK Counter-Terrorism Consultations are being held. Through these trilateral and bilateral consultations, Japan, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea will have shared information regarding the international and regional terrorism situation, and also exchange views on matters of interest with regard to counter-terrorism and cooperation in the assistance of capacity building carried out by each country.

5. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe

Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on a visit to Japan by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe. From 17 to 20 July, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, is paying a working visit to Japan.

6. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

Ms. Saiki: Sixth, on a visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Mr. Grigol Vashadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is visiting Japan from yesterday 18 July to 22.

7. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia

Ms. Saiki: Seventh, on a visit to Japan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia. From Monday, 23 July to Thursday, 26 July, Mr. Nujoma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Namibia will visit Japan as guest of Foreign Affairs.

With these initial announcements, I would be pleased to entertain your questions. Are there any questions? I see none. This concludes today’s conference. Thank you.

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