Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 31 January 2013
- Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)
- Myanmar’s debt issues
- The passing of Doctor Hiroshi Nakajima, Director General Emeritus of the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Emergency assistance to Jordan
- The Pacific Alliance
- Questions concerning the Reporters Without Borders 2013 report on openness and media policies
- Follow-up questions concerning the Reporters Without Borders 2013 report on openness and media policies
1. Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)
Deputy Press Secretary Ms. Naoko Saiki: Good afternoon. Let me start by touching upon several issues before taking your questions.
Ms. Saiki: First, on the Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). The agreement between Japan and Australia concerning reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Self-Defense Force of Japan and the Australian Defence Force came into effect today, on January 31. It is expected that the entry into force of this agreement will further facilitate the two countries’ close cooperation in the fields of United Nations peace keeping operations and others, and will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
2. Myanmar’s debt issues
Ms. Saiki: Second, on Myanmar’s debt issues. Yesterday, on January 30, the Government of Japan implemented measures to cancel Myanmar’s debts based on the agreement by the two countries reached last April and in light of efforts being made by the Government of Myanmar towards democratization, national reconciliation, and social and economic reform. We believe that it is quite important to further assist Myanmar for reforms, and therefore will even more strongly support the Government of Myanmar so that the people of Myanmar can feel the fruit of democratization, national reconciliation and reforms.
3. The passing of Doctor Hiroshi Nakajima, Director General Emeritus of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Ms. Saiki: Third, on the passing of Doctor Hiroshi Nakajima, Director General Emeritus of the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida issued a statement yesterday that I will read. “On behalf of the Japanese Government, I offer our respectful condolences to the family of Doctor Hiroshi Nakajima, Director General Emeritus of the World Health Organization upon hearing of his passing. Director General Emeritus Nakajima made great efforts for global public health during his 10 years as WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, and 10 years as director general of the WHO. His achievements related to countermeasures for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and polio are still being used for the policies of the WHO. I pray for the repose of the soul of Director General Emeritus Nakajima from the bottom of my heart. I hope to continue to carry out his wishes and make further efforts for the improvement of global health.”
4. Emergency assistance to Jordan
Ms. Saiki: Fourth, on emergency assistance to Jordan. On January 28, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods worth 13 million yen to assist a Syrian refugee camp located in Jordan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency in response to the request following serious damage from the floods. Jordan has been hit by torrential rain and snowfall since early January, which caused tremendous damage to the Syrian refugees at the Zaatari refugee camp by breaking tents and so forth. According to the Government of Jordan, there are as many as 48,000 affected people in the camp. In response to the request by the Government of Jordan, the Government of Japan has decided to provide emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for the victims as well as in light of friendly relations between Japan and Jordan.
5. The Pacific Alliance
Ms. Saiki: Fifth, on the Pacific Alliance. On January 27 local time, the summit meeting of the Pacific Alliance was held in Chile, where Japan’s request for observer status in the Pacific Alliance was approved. Accordingly, Japan will participate in summit meetings and foreign ministers’ meetings of the Pacific Alliance as observer hereafter. We are placing an importance on Latin American countries, in particular the Pacific Alliance member countries that advocate open economic policy by liberalizing the movement of goods, services, people, and capital among them (the four countries), while working to strengthen their economic relations with third countries.
With these initial announcements, I would be happy to take your questions.
6. Questions concerning the Reporters Without Borders 2013 report on openness and media policies
Q: There was maybe some bad news yesterday. The Reporters Without Borders yesterday issued its 2013 report on openness and media policies of every country globally and Japan was dropped from rank 22 in the world to rank 53 in the world, which was the furthest drop of any Asian country. And the reasons they cited were basically two; one was the denial of access of independent reports to Fukushima reporting, and also what they called this: “The failure to reform the continued existence of the discriminatory system of kisha clubs, exclusive press clubs which restrict access to information,” and on this basis they felt that Japan needed to be dropped 31 places in global rankings on media openness. To my knowledge, Japan is the only country in the world which has a kisha club system. Does the Foreign Ministry recognize that the kisha club system is damaging the country’s international reputation as an open media country?
Ms. Saiki: Thank you for the question. First, I have to confess that I am not aware of the report you have referred to. That being stated, with respect to the kisha club system, as far as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned, we have been making our utmost efforts to secure and enhance openness and transparency. That is why the Foreign Minister’s press conference, as well as my press conference, are open to everyone interested to come. However, I do not believe the stance maintained by this Ministry is followed by other ministries and agencies in the Government. There are pros and cons about maintaining the kisha club system, so we have to look at the matter in a comprehensive manner, while bearing in mind that the international reputation about openness and media policies is something important.
Q: Thank you. Follow up question if I may?
Ms. Saiki: Yes, please.
7. Follow-up questions concerning the Reporters Without Borders 2013 report on openness and media policies
Q: First of all let me say that in my own experience I do find that the Foreign Ministry has one of the best records on the openness issue, since at least the time Foreign Minister Okada of the Foreign Ministry has been largely open to both independent journalists and to foreign journalists, except for we’re not given information about the kondankai and a number of special events that are put out there for the kisha club, the Kasumi Club people, but not for us, so we are not aware of a lot of that information. But my second question is, more specifically, the fact that Reporters Without Borders took the sort of very extreme measure of dropping Japan more than any other Asian country in its free rankings, basically over the Fukushima coverage and the press club issue. Can you recognize that the continued existence of this system, which is only in Japan, is having a negative impact on perceptions of media openness? Whether right or wrong, whether or not you say there are pros or cons in the system, the reality is it is starting to have an impact on perceptions of Japan’s openness.
Ms. Saiki: Thank you. On your first point, are you interested in participating in kondan taking place in this Ministry?
Q: Occasionally.
Ms. Saiki: Okay. If that is the case, let me look into the matter and we will see what we can do in that respect. On your second point, I am afraid I am repeating myself: there are pros and cons on the system. And since I have not read the report you referred to, I have to first read it and make my assessment.
Q: Okay, fair enough. So I will follow up after you have studied the issue a little more?
Ms. Saiki: Sure.
Q: Thank you very much.
Ms. Saiki: Thank you. Are there any other questions?
Q: No, I heard your announcements.
Ms. Saiki: Very good. Thank you for coming.
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