(* 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: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 8:46 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

China-North Korea Premiers' Meeting
Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development
Visit to the People's Republic of China by Prime Minister Taro Aso

1. China-North Korea Premiers' Meeting

Question:
Yesterday, Premier Kim Yong-il of North Korea had a meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. It seems that Premier Wen Jiabao urged North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks at an early date and encouraged North Korea to exercise restraint regarding the launch. What is your impression regarding this meeting?

Minister:
I am aware of the media reports. However, since this is a matter between third party nations, I would like to refrain from commenting. It is, however, important to resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date as it is necessary to discuss the nuclear issue as well. Additionally, North Korea's missile issue is an urgent issue that needs resolution, so if there was talk of encouraging the exercise of restraint between the two countries, this is a good thing.

Question:
A meeting with President Hu Jintao is scheduled for today. I believe that further talks on this subject will continue. Do you have any expectation for this meeting?

Minister:
I do not know what kind of talks will go on, however, as I have just stated, I hope that there will be talk of North Korea exercising restraint.

2. Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development

Question:
I believe that how China and Russia deal with this issue will be one of the key points. Is there any plan to independently approach these two countries from the Japanese side?

Minister:
I have visited China and talked to Premier Wen Jiabao as well as to the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Yang Jiechi and conveyed Japan's stance. Regarding Russia, I have discussed matters with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when he visited Japan, and currently Mr. Mitoji Yabunaka, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is in Russia to conduct consultations. As you can see from this, we are approaching China and Russia at all different levels and occasions. Other than China and Russia, I have also contacted the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I will continue my efforts in this way.

Question:
Are you planning to request a strict resolution that includes the possibility of imposing sanctions toward North Korea at the UN Security Council?

Minister:
First of all, it is important to stop North Korea from launching and we must do everything in our power to achieve this. If the missile were to be launched, of course, it will be essential to discuss this thoroughly at the UN Security Council. I believe that it is also important for all of the countries concerned to take consistent measures.

Question:
As the plan is to urge North Korea to exercise restraint, is there any possibility of the international community sending out some sort of united message to prevent the launch?

Minister:
Currently, concerned countries are making efforts and I believe that it is most important that the countries closest to North Korea, such as Japan, the ROK, and the US cooperate in sending out a strong message and in approaching North Korea.

Question:
I believe this question was also asked at the Diet, but what are your thoughts on requesting a meeting of the UN Security Council before the launch, and demanding a halt to launch?

Minister:
First, it is important to make efforts to prevent the launch. As each country has its own circumstances to consider at the UN Security Council, it would be better to continue with our own strong efforts, although it is important for the international community to make concerted efforts.

Question:
Regarding taking action for this issue, do you have the impression that the gap between Japan and the two countries of China and Russia has narrowed?

Minister:
There has not been any official announcement from China or Russia, so I do not know the details. However, it is my understanding that both China and Russia have conveyed the opinion that it is important to prevent the launch in their statements and so forth.

Question:
Even if the missile were to be launched, is there no change in Japan's stance that it requests other parties to hold the Six-Party Talks early?

Minister:
It is difficult to predict what would happen after the missile is launched, if this were to happen. However, the nuclear issue is also an issue that must be resolved as soon as possible. So regarding the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, I believe it is important for the six parties including North Korea to resume the Six-Party Talks, and especially for China, the host country, to make efforts for their resumption.

Question:
Up until now, the missile issue has not been an issue touched upon much at the Six-Party Talks. However, if North Korea were to launch a missile, will Japan request the holding of the Six-Party Talks in order to discuss the missile issue as well?

Minister:
Denuclearization is the main topic of discussion at the Six-Party Talks, but in the sense that it is also a part of North Korean issues, the missile issue is extremely important as well, and I believe this will be discussed. At the Six-Party Talks last autumn, we were not able to thoroughly put a concrete verification framework for denuclearization into writing. This continues to be an important issue.

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

Question:
Regarding the cancellation of the Prime Minister's visit to China at the end of March, there are some reports that point out that the handling of the issue of the Senkaku Islands may be the cause of this. Please give us your impression regarding this.

Minister:
First of all, I believe that it was more of an issue of not being able to coordinate the schedule, rather than a cancellation. I would like there to be no misunderstanding. It was a matter of not being able to agree on a date, not a matter of postponing or canceling the visit. During my visit to China, the understanding on both sides was that it would be good to be able to realize the visit as soon as possible. Regarding speculation that China cancelled it because of Japan's handling of the issue of the Senkaku Islands, this is speculation about the Chinese side, so I have no way to comment on this. It is my understanding that it was a matter of not being able to coordinate the schedule.

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