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Japan's Bilateral Foreign Ministers Meetings with Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines

	Speaker :	Mr. Hidehiko Hamada
	Title :	Director of the International Press Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	Date:	21 November 1996
	Time :	23:30 -- 24:00
	Location :	Meeting Room 6, PICC Manila, Republic of the Philippines

Press Conference

21 November 1996

MAJOR TOPICS

1. Japanese Foreign Minister's bilateral meetings
2. Japan-Australia bilateral meeting
3. Japan-Malaysia bilateral meeting
4. Japan-Philippines bilateral meeting
5. Japan-Philippines relations

PARTIAL LIST OF ATTENDANTS

1. Japanese Foreign Minister's bilateral meetings

   Director of the International Press Division Hidehiko Hamada: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for coming to our very late press conference this evening on various subjects. In fact, this is my first appearance in the Republic of the Philippines as a spokesman for our foreign minister. I would like to express my thanks to you all. I am very glad that I could come back to the Philippines, since I worked in our embassy here from 1990 to 1992, as the head of the Political Section. It is indeed gratifying for me to see that the Philippines has made such wonderful developments during this short period. Also, it is my great pleasure to work with you during this APEC Meeting. Having said so, and since it is very late tonight, I would like to be very brief on the three bilateral talks between our foreign minister and his counterparts from Australia, the Republic of Malaysia and the Philippines.

2. Japan-Australia bilateral meeting

   Director of the International Press Division Hidehiko Hamada: First of all, regarding the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs John Gosse Downer of Australia, which was held from 15:05 to 15:35 for 30 minutes in the Diamond Hotel, the major issues taken up at that meeting were the bilaterals, APEC, the WTO, the United Nations, and finally the ASEM. I would very briefly like to provide you with a briefing on these five subjects. First of all, the bilateral issues. In fact, both ministers agreed that bilateral relations between Japan and Australia are quite good and friendly, even compared to past decades. In addition to that, it is indeed gratifying that at the recent summit meeting between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, both prime ministers further reinforced their personal relations of mutual trust. Secondly, as to APEC, both sides agreed that APEC is extremely important for the sake of furtherance of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. And, from that point of view, both sides must work hard to achieve success at this Manila APEC Meeting. Also, in relation to this subject, Foreign Minister Downer mentioned his appreciation, concerning the Japanese Individual Action Plan, for making it quite substantial -- he mentioned that he greatly appreciated this. Also, regarding new membership, both foreign ministers agreed that both sides would further support the work at the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) level. As for the third issue of the WTO, towards the Ministerial Meeting which will be held in Singapore next month, the discussions during this APEC Meeting will be quite important. Both sides emphasized that fact, and exchanged views concerning the issue of WTO membership for APEC members and currently non-WTO members. As for the fourth issue of the United Nations, first of all, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda mentioned that upon the results of the election for non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council, Japan would like to make further efforts to properly respond to the expectations of many countries of the world. Especially, we appreciated the support from Australia. But, at the same time, he mentioned that it is rather a pity that we cannot work together with Australia at the Security Council of the United Nations. In response to his statement, Foreign Minister Downer again congratulated Japan on its recent election, and also said that he would like to make further efforts -- and cooperate with Japan -- toward the reform of the United Nations. Finally, as for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Australian Foreign Minister mentioned that Australia is putting forth its best efforts to participate in ASEM as quickly as possible. In this regard, they are very much appreciative of the assistance on the part of Japan. Responding to this statement, Foreign Minister Ikeda said that he would like to make further efforts and cooperate with the Australian side, especially for the sake of the membership of ASEM, so that Australia can join ASEM as soon as possible -- That is all for the Australia-Japan Ministerial Meeting.

3. Japan-Malaysia bilateral meeting

   Director of the International Press Division Hidehiko Hamada: Next on the agenda is the Japan-Malaysia ForeignMinisters Meeting. The Meeting was held from 16:50 to17:10, for about 20 minutes, between Foreign Minister Ikedaand Minister for Foreign Affairs Datuk Abdullah Haji AhmadBadawi of Malaysia. First of all, the Japanese sidecongratulated him on his appointment to Deputy-VicePresident of the United Malayan National Organization(UMNO), and also Foreign Minister Ikeda expressed hisexpectation that Malaysia would exert further leadership asthe chair country of the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN.) Also, he emphasized the fact that nextyear, it would be the commemorative year of the thirtiethanniversary of the relationship between Japan and ASEAN. Both sides agreed that, at this juncture, both countrieswould make more efforts to further reinforce the bilateralrelations between Japan and Malaysia, and that they wouldmake maximum efforts toward this end. From the Malaysianside, Foreign Minister Abdullah congratulated ForeignMinister Ikeda's reappointment to the position of foreignminister. He also stressed the bilateral relations betweenJapan and Malaysia as being extremely good. Thirdly, as toAPEC, both sides agreed on the recognition that APEC is animportant forum for the economic cooperation of the region,and based on the results of last year's Osaka Meeting,would make further efforts to promote cooperation amongcountries. Also, although there are some outstandingissues, discussions are now being held at the SOM level. Also, it is gratifying that we will be able to witness thefruitful results of the discussions, so that they will beable to reach agreement. That is all for theJapan-Malaysia meeting.

4. Japan-Philippines bilateral meeting

   Director of the International Press Division HidehikoHamada: The issue here was mainly on the bilaterals andAPEC. I am going to start with bilateral issues. First ofall, concerning the Japanese candidacy for non-permanentmembership on the United Nations Security Council, ForeignMinister Ikeda expressed his thanks for the full supportextended by the Philippines. He also extended aninvitation once again to Secretary of Foreign AffairsDomingo Siazon, Jr., to visit Japan officially by the endof this fiscal year -- that means by the end of next March. Responding to his statements, Foreign Secretary Siazon saidthat he wished to visit Japan as soon as possible, and thathe would like to further coordinate through diplomaticchannels toward this end. Secondly, Foreign Minister Ikedaexpressed his sincere thanks concerning the Comfort Womenissue. He appreciated the Philippine side's very sincereattitude and approach to this issue. Thirdly, both sidesalso touched upon 1998 -- the commemorative year for theCentenary of independence for the Philippines. MinisterIkeda said that the Government of Japan would like toextend further offers to cooperate with the Philippines tomake various projects successful for this commemorativeyear. Also, specifically, he mentioned that thePhilippines is now planning the so-called "Expo '98." Since it has been confirmed that it is a sort of domesticexposition, the Government of Japan would like to extendits assistance as soon as further concrete ideas arepresented from the Philippine side. In response to thisstatement, Foreign Secretary Siazon said that thePhilippines would also like to favorably approach the Aichibanpaku -- the Aichi Prefecture 2005 Exposition. Fourthly,Foreign Minister Ikeda also touched upon the importance ofextending further cooperation to the Philippines vis-…-visthe southern part of the Philippines. Foreign MinisterIkeda referred to the fact that a peace agreement has beenreached between the Government of the Philippines and MNLFin that region, providing a favorable environment foreconomic cooperation between the Philippines and Japan inthat region. He also mentioned that the Government ofJapan is determined to make further cooperative effortstoward the meeting for the assistance to the Philippines,which is now expected to be held in Tokyo in December. Finally, as for APEC, Foreign Minister Ikeda expressed hissincere expectation that Foreign Secretary Siazon woulddisplay leadership as the Chair country of APEC. And,Foreign Secretary Siazon expressed his recognition thatthere has been emerging consensus on various outstandingissues at the SOM level. Both sides also agreed that APECis a good opportunity for the heads-of-state to freelydiscuss on various issues. That is almost all I have foryou on these three bilaterals. I believe I covered all theimportant points, but having said that, if you have anyquestions, I am glad to answer any questions.

5. Japan-Philippines relations

   Gloria Jane Baylon (Mindanao Trend): The project thatyou mentioned -- I am interested whether in the meetingtoday they discussed the Mindanao angle in the next ODAMinisterial Meeting in December. Did your governmentspecifically mention any form of aid as to the Mindanaoissue, besides what you have already given to theirrigation project?

   Director of the International Press Division HidehikoHamada: If your question is whether both foreign ministerstried to touch upon the details of concrete projects in theregion, the answer is no. As I have already briefed you,both sides welcome new situations where Japan can engage infurther economic cooperation toward the development of theMindanao.

   Ms. Gloria Jane Baylon (Mindanao Trend):I would also liketo take this opportunity to clarify my question earlier. This was not told to Mr. Hashimoto. This was a speech ofChirac before the Keidanren last Tuesday, that said thatJapan would live to regret aligning with the United Stateswithin the APEC. That's the implication.

   Director of the International Press Division HidehikoHamada: I understand that you are very much interested inthe subject. I am very sorry that I cannot, in any case,answer that question. But, I take note that you are verymuch interested in it. If there are no more questions, Iwould like to finish tonight's press briefing. Iappreciate your kind attention and we are looking forwardto seeing you tomorrow. Thank you very much.