(* This is a provisional translation by "WIP ジャパン" for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Foreign Minister Taro Aso

Date: Friday, October 27, 2006, 9.20a.m.
Place: in front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Resolution on nuclear disarmament
Sending of a vessel by residents of Hong Kong to the Senkaku Islands
North Korean nuclear test announcement

1. Resolution on nuclear disarmament

Minister:
This morning the U.N. resolution on nuclear disarmament was passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 169 to 3, with only the three nations of North Korea, the United States and India against it.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. Sending of a vessel by residents of Hong Kong to the Senkaku Islands

Minister:
There are reports of a Hong Kong vessel heading for the Senkaku Islands and having entered the 24 nautical miles contiguous zone. Having known about this from before, Japan Coast Guard vessels have been dispatched for the purpose of preventing entry into the territorial waters.

Question:
Does this mean that the Japan Coast Guard is to deal with preventing entry by the Hong Kong vessel into territorial waters?

Minister:
Historically speaking they are an integral part of Japan, thus this is unequivocal response.

Related Information (Senkaku Islands)

3. North Korean nuclear test announcement

Question:
Regarding the North Korean nuclear test announcement, will the government today officially confirm that it was a nuclear test?

Minister:
I wonder. I know that a meeting is being held today, but I haven't yet heard what decision will be reached.

Question:
I believe Japan is the only country that hasn't officially confirmed it. Once the government has issued an official confirmation, will it adopt new measures?

Minister:
No, there will be no sudden adoption of new measures once that has happened.

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