(* 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: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 9:30 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Visit to the People's Republic of China by Mr. Kim Yong-il, Premier of North Korea
Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development
Visit of the Prime Minister Taro Aso to the People's Republic of China

1. Visit to the People's Republic of China by Mr. Kim Yong-il, Premier of North Korea

Question:
Today, Premier Kim Yong-il of North Korea will visit Beijing to have a meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao and others. What are your expectations for China-North Korea consultations given the increasing tension in North Korean issues?

Minister:
As the situation has become very tense at the moment, I hope that North Korea and China will hold thorough discussions based on the current situation.

Question:
The Japanese Government, of course, is setting the prevention of North Korea's missile launch as the common goal of the international society. Is there anything you would like China to convey this time to the North Korean side, such as urging North Korea to refrain from launching?

Minister:
I believe that the Chinese side understands the position of Japan, the ROK, and the US well. Additionally, I have conveyed our opinion to the Chinese side the other day during my talk with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs. I do not know what China and North Korea will talk about, but I believe they will hold various discussions regarding the launch of the missile.

Question:
Is it correct to understand that the leaders of the Chinese side understand Japan's expectations?

Minister:
I believe that the Chinese leaders thoroughly understand our position. In any event, I hope that they will conduct thorough discussions and consultations based on the current situation.

2. Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development

Question:
During the lecture that you gave in Kanazawa last weekend, I believe that you stated that if a missile should fall on Japan, it would be necessary to intercept it. If the launch should fail and the missile should fall on Japan -- there are experts who say that we would not be able to calculate its trajectory and that it would be difficult to intercept or that to intercept a long range ballistic missile is technologically difficult in the first place -- if a North Korean missile should fall on Japan, in your opinion, would it be possible to intercept it?

Minister:
First, we must keep making efforts not to let the launch happen until the very last minute. But if a missile is launched and Japanese territory is exposed to danger, I believe that the Japanese Government must take necessary measures of course. It is the government's most important mission to protect the lives and assets of our people, and this is vital. Whether we can intercept missile or not is a matter of technology as well as national security, therefore I will refrain from making any comments, as this would constitute, in a way, showing them our hand.

Question:
Regarding the sentiment of the general public, there seems to be a slight increase of anxiety that a missile could fall onto them. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
I believe that it is a matter of course that there is such concern. The government must be fully prepared in order to prevent such possibility from happening.

Question:
Is it difficult to say Japan can intercept the missile without fail?

Minister:
That is not only a technical issue but also an important issue of national security. Therefore I will refrain from talking about whether we can or not.

Question:
Does it mean that Japanese Government will take measures if Japan is exposed to territorial danger?

Minister:
That goes without saying. To protect the lives of our people is the government's most important responsibility.

Question:
In concrete terms, does that mean interception?

Minister:
Regarding the question of what kind of measures are possible, that would have to be responded to by the Ministry of Defense and the entire government. Therefore as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I cannot comment on the means we will take, but I believe that the government will take the best possible means in order to avoid any damage.

Question:
Regarding the area that North Korea designated as part of the danger zone, off the coast of Akita prefecture, 90% of this area is Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone). Is it your understanding that this will not be an issue?

Minister:
I do not know the details of this, however, for a ballistic missile to fly over Japan is something that should never happen in any event. Therefore we must continue our efforts to urge North Korea's restraint.

3. Visit of the Prime Minister Taro Aso to the People's Republic of China

Question:
Regarding Prime Minister Aso's visit to the People's Republic of China, there have been some reports that it had originally been scheduled at the end of this month but was later postponed. Please tell us of the current prospects and, if it is true that the visit has been postponed, the reason for this.

Minister:
We have been coordinating with the Chinese side in order to hold a summit meeting as soon as possible, to engage in close shuttle diplomacy and summit diplomacy, as well as to take into consideration various issues we are facing currently, such as the issue of the world economy. However, I understand that it has become difficult to arrange a meeting in March.

Question:
Where does the difficulty come from?

Minister:
The Chinese side has to weigh its own circumstances, while we must consider ours such as the Diet schedule. However, there is no change on both sides in the understanding that we should hold a meeting as soon as possible.

Question:
Was it the Chinese side who requested postponement?

Minister:
I hope you understand that we are still in the process of arranging the schedule.

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