(* 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 27, 2009, 8:49 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakasone's Attendance to the International Conference on Afghanistan
North Korean Missile Issue
Election for IAEA Director General

1. Opening Statement

Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakasone's Attendance to the International Conference on Afghanistan

Minister:
At today's Cabinet Meeting, my attendance to the International Conference on Afghanistan which will be held in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31 was approved. This is a conference to comprehensively discuss issues such as those related to politics, public security, and development in Afghanistan.

Question:
It seems that a meeting with Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States will also be coordinated at The Hague. What exactly do you plan to discuss?

Minister:
The meeting is still under coordination. If it is realized, I believe we will exchange opinions on North Korean issues as well as various issues involving the international community.

Question:
I am sure that at the International Conference on Afghanistan, you will explain again about Japan's various assistances. It seems that there is some concern at the Foreign Affairs Committee on the issue of taking over the payment of the salaries of the police in Afghanistan, as to whether the money will really reach the rank and file. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
Aside from providing the salaries for police officers in Afghanistan, Japan is providing assistance in many ways. The government will take thorough measures so that the money pledged for assistance will be used in the way it is intended and not for other purposes.

Question:
At the International Conference in Afghanistan, what message does Japan plan to convey to the world?

Minister:
The international community has been working for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Japan has taken a leading role in this as well. I believe that I will explain what kind of assistance Japan has been providing. I will also actively discuss future assistance with the other countries. Regarding the contents of these discussions, I cannot comment on them further at this moment.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. North Korean Missile Issue

Question:
Plans to issue an order for emergency response concerning measures to destroy ballistic missiles or other objects seem to be underway. What are your honest feelings on this at the moment?

Minister:
A meeting of the Security Council of Japan was held this morning and where we discussed the issue of North Korean flying objects. As I stated in my answer to a question at a Diet session, if it were predicted that Japan would receive some kind of damage to the lives of Japanese nationals or assets, of course conducting an interception would be the responsibility of the government. We must make the utmost efforts in this.

Question:
It seems that there is almost no possibility of the missile or parts of the missile -- I believe there are many names for them, such as the booster or the first stage booster -- falling onto Japanese territory. I think that the government's explanation in this area is somewhat insufficient. What are your thoughts on this?

Minister:
I do not really know about the technical possibility of the missile or parts of the missile falling, and I believe this comes under the responsibility of the Minister of Defense. As for the government, it is not appropriate to give the public too much concern, and it must be fully prepared to make sure that such a situation does not happen.

3. Election for IAEA Director General

Question:
The three rounds of voting for the Director General of the IAEA were concluded yesterday. Today will be the second day of voting. What are the prospects of the Japanese candidate securing two-thirds of the vote? Additionally, can you explain again the significance the post of Director General holds to Japan?

Minister:
Regarding the election, at the election held yesterday in Vienna, neither Japan's candidate Ambassador Yukio Amano nor South Africa's candidate Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty have secured the two-thirds of the vote needed for the appointment as Director General. Ambassador Amano has vast experience as well as achievements as a board member of international organizations, and I would very much like for him to be elected. I have been continuing to call on each member country since yesterday. As the only nation that has been a victim of nuclear bombing, and in light of the importance of the IAEA, I would like Ambassador Amano to become Director General and lead the international community in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Question:
If Ambassador Amano were to be elected to the post of Director General, I believe there would be expectations that it would facilitate the incorporation of Japan's non-proliferation policies into IEAE decisions. If this were to happen, what policies would Japan prioritize for incorporation and in what way?

Minister:
The post of the Director General is fair and neutral. Ambassador Amano himself has stated this in his address for his candidacy. Therefore, I believe that he will conduct himself in this manner. Japan must continue to voice its policies separately.

Question:
I heard that you have sent Ambassador Amano a daruma for the IAEA Director General election.

Minister:
I hope that he will be able to fill in the eye of the daruma for winning the election as early as today. I will continue to call on the member nations for this purpose.

Question:
Do you ever make direct phone calls to the member nations?

Minister:
Of course, I make direct phone calls.

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