(* 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 24, 2009, 9:44 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- (1) Pakistan Donors Conference and Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group Ministerial Meeting in Japan
- (2) Contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development
Detention of a Japanese American Journalist in Iran

1. Opening Statement

(1) Pakistan Donors Conference and Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group Ministerial Meeting in Japan

Minister:
A Pakistan Donors Conference, co-hosted by Japan and the World Bank, will be held in Tokyo on April 17. This conference will follow a Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group Ministerial Meeting, hosted by the Government of Pakistan, during the morning of the same day. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, will visit Japan for this occasion. We hope that the Government of Pakistan will announce political commitments for difficult challenges including economic reform and counterterrorism measures at this conference. I believe that the countries and international organizations concerned will announce their support at this conference in order to support Pakistan's efforts.

Question:
At the Pakistan Donors Conference, I believe that each country will pledge various kinds of assistance, including ODA, in a coordinated manner. As a premise for this, what is the estimated amount of assistance needed?

Minister:
I do not know how things will advance during the conference. At any rate, Japan must deliberate on assistance. I believe that a certain direction will emerge as the conference progresses and I cannot say anything more on this at the moment.

(2) Contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Minister:
As I stated in my speech at the TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) Ministerial Follow-up Meeting held in Botswana last weekend, the Japanese Government has just decided to disburse approximately US$194 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. I believe this will also be a pronouncement of Japan's intention to thoroughly continue international cooperation in the field of health even as the world economy and Japan's economy still face a severe situation. This will also, of course, benefit people suffering from diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis. Therefore, we will continue to provide assistance from this perspective.

2. Moves related to North Korea's Missile Development

Question:
Yesterday, Mr. Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, visited China and held consultations with Mr. Wu Dawei, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Did the Chinese side inform the Japanese side of whether or not China can play the necessary role regarding the launch of the North Korean missile? You have stated that it is important to stop North Korea from launching missiles. Do you have any information regarding this matter?

Minister:
I have not yet received a report from Director-General Saiki, so I know what was discussed during the meeting only from media reports. Additionally, as I have repeatedly stated a concrete decision to launch has not yet been made, and I told China to make efforts in convincing North Korea not to launch at various venues. I believe Director-General Saiki discussed this as well; however, since I have not yet received detailed information on the meeting, I cannot comment any further.

Question:
I believe there are those who state that a Cabinet Decision towards an interception should be made as early as the end of this month. What are your own thoughts on this?

Minister:
I believe that this is a decision for the Minister of Defense and the Chief Cabinet Secretary to make, and therefore I should not comment on it. I believe that a decision will be made regarding the most appropriate measure in accordance with the Self-Defense Forces Law. Therefore, whether a Cabinet Decision will be made or not, as well as when it will be made if it is necessary, will eventually fall into place.

Question:
Recently, there were some media reports stating that Japan and the US had begun to prepare a draft of the UNSC Presidential statement to be issued in case of a missile launching. Is this right? Additionally, in your answer to a question at a Diet session, you talked about cooperating with a view to realizing a resolution. Were you referring to a sanction resolution or a censure resolution?

Minister:
I have continuously stated that if the launch were to happen, it must be thoroughly discussed at the UN Security Council. And, I believe that, based on what the situation of the launch would be, and considering what responses would be taken to it, the possibility of a UN resolution will be discussed. In any case, the most important thing is that the international community should be consistent in taking measures against this, although this is hypothetical talk of what would happen if the launch were to occur.

Question:
Regarding an interception, a government source was quoted as saying that "It's not easy. You cannot shoot down a pistol bullet with a pistol." What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
I have not heard of this remark. It is no doubt that it would be difficult. Japan has never conducted an interception before, and we do not know in what way the missile will fly or where it will fly to. I think that we must continue to the very last minute to make efforts not to let the launch take place.

Question:
Is it your intent to basically adhere to this explanation until the missile is launched?

Minister:
Of course, I have stated in my answer to a question at a Diet session that if the launch were to fail or it were predicted that Japan would receive some kind of damage, and the situation was heading in this direction, it is the responsibility of the government to take thorough measures. These measures would be taken in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and with the US, and I believe that this goes without saying.

3. Detention of a Japanese American Journalist in Iran

Question:
A Japanese American journalist has been detained in Iran. In the US, there seems to be a lot of interest in this matter as it concerns Iran and information is not available. Is there any information that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has, regarding this incident?

Minister:
I am aware of the media reports. However, since the journalist is of American nationality, the US Government is dealing with this matter. Additionally, since it concerns the life of a person, I would like to refrain from commenting.

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