(*This is a provisional translation by a translation service company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference held by Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura

Date: Friday, October 18, 2005, 9:22 a.m.
Place: In front of the Room of the Ministers in the House

Main topics:

Cabinet Meeting/Informal Cabinet Meeting
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine

1. Cabinet Meeting/Informal Cabinet Meeting

Minister:
We have determined to extend emergency assistance to Pakistan of $8,000,000 through U.N. Agencies, UNICEF, U.N. World Food Program (WFP) and other organizations for earthquake victims in Pakistan. That's makes the total grant aid $20,000,000 combined with $12,000,000 to be provided on bilateral base. The situation in Pakistan is terrible; the number of dead is increasing, nearly 40,000 people. I received a report from Mr. Shuzen Tanigawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs who came back to Japan yesterday. The Senior Vice-Minister had a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister and made a tour of needs-assessment in the most stricken area via helicopter. He came back to Japan with some sound suggestions on what support is required. We will provide assistance to the site along his suggestions. The Japan Self Defense Forces' activities have started today. That is all I reported in the Cabinet Meeting.

2. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine

Question:
Did the Prime Minister state anything about his visit to Yasukuni Shrine yesterday in the Informal Cabinet Meeting?

Minister:
He did not state anything about it either in the Cabinet Meeting or in the Informal Cabinet Meeting.

Question:
How about before or after the Meeting?

Minister:
After the Meeting, the Prime Minister stated out of agenda the reason why he visited. He also talked about the "Trinity Reform".

Question:
What did he say?

Minister:
The Prime Minister stated almost the same as his statement in a press conference yesterday.

Question:
The China's Ambassador and the Republic of Korea's (ROK's) Ambassador came to your office to file protests against the visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Did you deliver that to the Prime Minister?

Minister:
Yes, I did it last night.

Question:
How did you deliver it?

Minister:
I delivered that with documents.

Question:
China and ROK have showed repellence against the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Your visit to China and ROK President Roh Moo Hyun's visit to Japan seem to be difficult.

Minister:
What is the source of such information?

Question:
It is a statement by ROK's spokesperson.

Minister:
I haven't confirmed on they yet.

Question:
The talks are currently being postponed best.

Minister:
I'd like to proceed as scheduled.

Question:
In face of China's and ROK's response against the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, how will the government of Japan seek for their understanding in future?

Minister:
We will make efforts to get their understanding through various diplomatic channels.

Question:
Will you say the same thing as the Prime Minister stated when asking for their understanding?

Minister:
Exactly.

Question:
You are one of the members of the Diet Members' Group of Visiting Yasukuni Shrine, but you have been refraining from visiting Yasukuni Shrine since you have taken up Foreign Minister. Why?

Minister:
That is my decision as Foreign Minister.

Question:
What is the specific reason of your decision?　

Minister:
It is a comprehensive decision.

Question:
Do you mean you considered it as unfavorable diplomatically?

Minister:
I said it is a comprehensive decision.

Question:
You said that under these circumstances, it is all the more important to have a dialogue with the both countries. Is your thinking unchanged?

Minister:
Certainly. That is why I said we should proceed with the every schedule as planned.