• Register Email Updates

• Advanced Search
• Help

Meetings held by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi of Japan with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Condoleezza Rice of the United States of America
(Summary)

July 7, 2004

On July 7, 2004, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi held meetings with Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) Condoleezza Rice of the United States of America at the Iikura House of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The following is a summary of the meetings.

1. Meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and National Security Advisor Rice

(1) Iraq

• Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it was truly good that international cooperation could be garnered as a result of US efforts. In response, National Security Advisor Rice stated that she was pleased to see that a competent and strong government had been established in Iraq and that it was necessary to continue to provide further assistance to the activities of the new government and that the US intended to continue to make efforts in this regard.
• Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he had conveyed his view to US President George W. Bush regarding the importance of creating a government by the people of Iraq for the people of Iraq, and that by showing the world that the Iraqi people were playing the leading role in reconstructing their country, he believed that the international community would be glad to further cooperate through providing reconstruction assistance to Iraq. National Security Advisor Rice stated that President Bush was deeply grateful to Japan for (i) the humanitarian and reconstruction assistance provided by the Self-Defense Forces, (ii) financial assistance, and (iii) its efforts to muster international cooperation. Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan intended to continue to provide assistance so that reconstruction could be carried out by the people of Iraq themselves.

(2) North Korea

• Prime Minister Koizumi stated that there continued to be a need for Japan, the US and the Republic of Korea, as well as China, to cooperate and steadfastly urge North Korea to respond positively. National Security Advisor Rice stated that the US also considered the nuclear issue to be a pressing one and that it was focusing its consideration on how it would be possible to get North Korea to give up and dismantle its nuclear development programs. She also stated that the proposal made by the US at the latest Six-Party Talks was put forth from that perspective.
• Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation for US support regarding the abduction issue. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi referred to the fact that Ms. Hitomi Soga would be departing the following day to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was confirmed that Japan and the US would continue to maintain contact on this matter.

(3) China

• National Security Advisor Rice explained that she would be visiting China, after her visit to Japan and that during that visit, she would indicate to China her expectations for China to play a constructive role in the international community and that the US and China could advance a partnership in that context.

(4) Japan-US relations

• National Security Advisor Rice expressed gratitude for the fact that relations between Japan and the US were stronger and better than ever. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi asked National Security Advisor Rice to convey his best regards to President Bush.

2. Meeting between Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and National Security Advisor Rice

(1) Japan-US relations

• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Japan-US relations were the foundation of Japan's diplomacy. To this, National Security Advisor Rice responded that Japan-US relations anchored US foreign policy; especially since September 11, 2001, Japan-US relations had become increasingly important with their sphere of cooperation, expanding globally.
• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Japan intended to further cooperate with the US to contribute to the international community. National Security Advisor Rice stated that the world was currently at an extremely important period and for that reason as well, she was glad that Japan-US relations were very good. Moreover, National Security Advisor Rice stated that she hoped to enhance the strategic dialogue between Japan and the US.
• Concerning the US military forces in Japan, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that from the perspective of solidifying the Japan-US Security Arrangements, it was important to maintain the deterrence provided by the US military forces in Japan and to reduce the burden on the people of Okinawa. In response, National Security Advisor Rice stated that the review of the US military force composition was being undertaken while taking new technological developments into account and that the US intended to have further dialogue with Japan on this matter.

(2) Iraq

• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi offered her congratulations on the successful transfer of sovereignty and stated that Japan intended to continue to provide assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq through humanitarian and reconstruction assistance by the Self-Defense Forces as well as financial cooperation. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Japan continued to cooperate with Europe and Arab states in providing assistance to the Iraqis. National Security Advisor Rice stated that the role played by Japan was extremely important and expressed her appreciation for its contributions.

(3) China

• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that China is starting to play an important role in East Asia and that Japan intended to have an open dialogue on various issues with China. In response, National Security Advisor Rice expressed her hopes that China would play more constructive role and that she had expectations for China's cole in the Six-Party Talks as well as economic affairs.
• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi explained the deepening economic interdependence between Japan and China. In response, National Security Advisor Rice stated that China's ties with the international economy were also deepening and that she expected China to play a constructive role is that context as well.
• Moreover, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and National Security Advisor Rice shared the view that relations between China and Taiwan were extremely important for the peace and stability of the region and the world, and that Japan and the US would make efforts to promote dialogue between China and Taiwan.

(4) North Korea

• National Security Advisor Rice stated that Japan and the US were cooperating extremely well in the Six-Party Talks. In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi welcomed the proposal put forth by the US at the latest round of the Six-Party Talks and stated her hopes that North Korea would analyze this proposal and that discussions would take place either at the Six-Party Talks or within the working group.
• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated her hopes that China would continue to play a constructive role in the Six-Party Talks process. National Security Advisor Rice stated that, the US was making efforts to reach a solution concerning the North Korea issue based on diplomatic options and would continue to make efforts in the Six-Party Talks toward that end, and that the proposal put forth by the US at the latest round was part of that effort.
• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed appreciation for US support for Japan's position regarding the abduction issue. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and National Security Advisor Rice agreed to continue to maintain contact between Japan and the US regarding the issue of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family.

(5) United Nations reform

• Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated that Japan placed importance on the reform of the United Nations (UN), that Japan was grateful for the support provided by the US for Japan to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and that Japan intended to continue to maintain close contact with the US on this matter. National Security Advisor Rice stated that she agreed with the statements by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi, that the US supported Japan becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council and understood that this would be handled in the overall context of UN reform, and that she intended to continue to maintain close contact between Japan and the US.