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

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 6:50 p.m.
Place: In front of the Foreign Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Main topic:

Earthquake in Western China

1. Earthquake in Western China

Minister:
In response to the direction given by Prime Minister Fukuda regarding the damage as a result of the earthquake in Western China, as an initial step, a decision has been made to provide assistance of about 500 million yen through a combination of capital and material. I would also like to announce that a decision has been made to provide this assistance directly to the Government of the People's Republic of China as well as through international organizations.

Question:
Is this in response to any form of request from the Chinese side?

Minister:
A request was made.

Question:
In what form was the request made?

Minister:
Both the Prime Minister and I sent letters to the Chinese counterparts in which we said, "If there is anything we can do, we will do it." In response to that, the Chinese side called upon Japan for help and as a result, we have decided to provide the assistance for them for the interim.

Question:
Will Japan continue to ask them to accept humanitarian assistance?

Minister:
Rather than asking, we have informed the Chinese side that we are prepared to provide humanitarian assistance, but at this time, nothing has been decided in that regard.

Question:
The assistance decided at this time is in the amount equivalent to 500 million yen, which I consider to be a large scale of assistance. What are the factors that have determined the amount of 500 million yen?

Minister:
The earthquake has caused extensive damage. By now, Japan has offered assistance to countries devastated by natural disasters or other events in proportion to the scale of the damage these countries incurred. In this regard, the amount in question cannot be deemed particularly large or small. The Government of Japan has made a decision at the present time to provide a substantial amount of assistance in response to the massive amount of damage that has occurred.

Question:
You have described this as an interim measure, but does that mean that in the future, there may be additional assistance measures provided?

Minister:
Yes, if the level of the damage expands, then I think it is possible that we may consider that in the future. There was a relevant question to me earlier on, but as I said, nothing has been decided right now. However, if there is a request for humanitarian assistance, Japan is certainly prepared to provide that.

Question:
The assistance of 500 million yen includes materials. Can you provide a breakdown of it?

Minister:
The details on that have not yet been decided. In cases where assistance is offered through international organizations, there will be appeals from international organizations but we have yet to receive any appeals from any relevant organizations. Once those appeals are made, we will decide the details.

Question:
The 500 million yen is the total of both the material and capital assistance, am I correct?

Minister:
Yes, together it comes to about 500 million yen.

Question:
When this announcement was made, was there any message from China to Japan?

Minister:
I am sure that the Chinese side expressed their appreciation for the assistance, however, I have not directly heard that.

Question:
Did the Chinese side make a request for any specific materials?

Minister:
Although this may not necessarily be the case, in a preparatory warehouse blankets, tents and other materials are stored and among these materials, naturally the Chinese side has been speaking about blankets and tents. However, further efforts will be made to identify and decide what will be provided.

Question:
So, you are saying that blankets and tents will be sent? Is that correct?

Minister:
I am certain that naturally blankets and tents will be included, but it is possible that other items will be included as well.

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