(* 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 Hirofumi Nakasone

Date: Friday, March 6, 2009, 8:53 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Visit to the US by Mrs. Sadako Ogata, Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa, Special Representative for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan
Visit to Japan by Mr. Stephen Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea
North Korean Missiles related Developments

1. Opening Statement

Visit to the US by Mrs. Sadako Ogata, Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa, Special Representative for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan

Minister:
Mrs. Sadako Ogata, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), appointed as Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan and Mr. Yoshikawa, Special Representative for Assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be dispatched to the US from this weekend to discuss the issues of Afghanistan and Pakistan with the US Government.

2. Visit to Japan by US Special Representative for North Korea, Mr. Stephen Bosworth

Question:
Mr. Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea, had a meeting with Mr. Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, yesterday and will have a meeting with you today. What will you discuss with him?

Minister:
I believe of course, that we will talk mainly about North Korean issues. I hope to exchange opinions broadly on the nuclear issue, the missile issue, and the abduction issue. I also plan to explain to him in detail regarding Japan's situations.

3. North Korean Missiles related Developments

Question:
If North Korea launches something, whether it is a missile or a satellite, is there any plan to strengthen the sanctions that Japan is currently independently imposing on North Korea?

Minister:
First of all, we must request that North Korea refrain from launching and we must also continue to hold close communication with other countries. However, in the event that this does take place, I believe it will first be discussed at the United Nations Security Council.

Question:
Will Japan submit a proposal for a sanction resolution at the Security Council?

Minister:
I do not know about that yet.

Question:
What are your thoughts on Japan's independent sanctions?

Minister:
I cannot answer that at this stage. We must first hold discussions with the other related countries and I believe that this is most important.

Question:
What is the current situation?

Minister:
At the moment, first of all we must make every effort to prevent such a launch from taking place and call on North Korea for its restraint.

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