(* 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, April 7, 2009, 9:19 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statement
- Grant Aid for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan
North Korean Missile Issue
Italian Earthquake

1. Opening Statement

Grant Aid for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Pakistan

Minister:
The Government of Japan decided to provide emergency grant aid totaling 5 million US dollars for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). On April 17th, the Pakistan Donors Conference will be held in Tokyo, at which Japan and other concerned countries and organizations will announce assistance for Pakistan. The grant aid will be made as part of the assistance.

Related Information (Press Release)

2. North Korean Missile Issue

Question:
Regarding the launch of a flying object by North Korea, yesterday at the United Nations, a meeting was held between the Permanent Member nations and Japan. Please give us your thoughts regarding the contents of this meeting.

Minister:
The Government of Japan considers what happened is a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution and believes that it is important to send out a strong message against it. We have been calling out to various countries to this effect. A UN Security Council meeting has been convened, however, a unanimous response has yet to be decided on. We will continue to call on other countries and make efforts so that a response from the UN Security Council will be decided on as soon as possible.

Question:
Please give us information such as on the actual process that Japan took to present its resolution draft and whether the gap between China, Russia and the other countries regarding the resolution draft was resolved at the meeting of the Permanent Member nations.

Minister:
I would like to refrain from commenting on the contents (of the UN Security Council meeting) as it was a closed meeting. But both China and Russia are attaching much importance to the concerns regarding this situation as well as to the actions (of North Korea) that threaten peace and stability. However, China is taking an especially cautious position. We must continue with our efforts to come to a common understanding.

Question:
Do you believe that the distance between the other countries and China and Russia have come closer from the first meeting and the second meeting, or do you think that it is the opposite and that the issue is not progressing?

Minister:
This is still being deliberated on and I cannot comment on this.

Question:
Currently, from Japan's position, would a Presidential Statement rather than a Resolution be a possible alternative, if at the end the contents of it are satisfactory?

Minister:
It is very clear that this issue is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718. That is Japan's position on this issue. However, since the object flew over Japan, if the Security Council cannot take appropriate action, or if the violation is left unaddressed, this will impact the credibility of the Security Council and the question of what a resolution is for will be raised. Therefore, we believe that a resolution is desirable, and we will continue to call on other countries towards this.

Question:
Actually China and Russia are stating that it is not a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Is this incorrect?

Minister:
From the viewpoint that it utilizes the same technology for missiles, as you will see from the wording of the resolution, we maintain the understanding that it is a violation and will continue to state this. In reality, this is a negotiation, so it is not possible to predict the outcome. However, we must continue with our vigorous efforts toward a resolution in cooperation with the US and other countries. At the moment, I believe it all comes down to that.

Question:
The Chinese side seems to be of the opinion that a President's Press Announcement would be the appropriate action. That would greatly differ with Japan's position. I had the impression that the middle road would be taken and it may become a Presidential Statement. What is your opinion on this?

Minister:
This will be a repetition of what I just said, but we will continue with our efforts to achieve the desirable result of the adoption of a resolution.

Question:
In continuing with trying to persuade China and Russia, as I believe there will not be a lot of time to spend on this, in the end is there a possibility that Japan and the US will draft a resolution if a mutual understanding is not met?

Minister:
This is currently being discussed in New York, and it is difficult to predict right now what form it will take. However, we must continue to thoroughly work with other countries.

Question:
What is the time line for producing some form of a result?

Minister:
I believe it is important to have a swift conclusion. If an incident such as this occurs, it is something against which action must be taken as soon as possible. This has been deliberated on in New York yesterday, and I believe that the deliberations will continue. Therefore, I have talked to Ambassador Takasu to make efforts under this position.

Question:
I believe that you have been making phone calls to P5 (Permanent Member) nations. Will you also make phone calls to Non-permanent Member nations such as your phone call to Viet Nam yesterday?

Minister:
If there is a need to, I may do so depending on how we proceed with the situation. However, I would like to think about it in accordance with the situation of the discussions.

Question:
If necessary, is there the possibility of sending politicians or vice-ministers to New York?

Minister:
This is also something I would like to think about in accordance with the situation of the discussions. However, from Japan's view point, as I have been stating, Japan has been exposed to the most danger. Therefore, as part of our vigorous and continued efforts towards realizing the adoption of a resolution, the dispatch of more people may be a possibility, if deemed necessary. Currently, nothing has been decided.

Question:
You have just stated that it is important to have a swift response. Is there a concrete time line that you are thinking of in terms of the outcome of the UN Security Council discussions?

Minister:
This is a difficult case. In terms of actions against North Korea, I believe that it is very meaningful for the international community to send out a unanimous message, so in this sense, I believe it is important that a conclusion is made as soon as possible.

3. Italian Earthquake

Question:
There was a huge earthquake in Italy. Is the Government planning on sending aid?

Minister:
This was a devastating event and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Italy. The Prime Minister and I are both sending out messages to Italy and if necessary, the offer of aid may be considered. However, the Italian Government has not yet asked for aid. I would like to watch over the situation and take appropriate action.

Question:
Have there been any reports of Japanese nationals being victims?

Minister:
Currently, I have not received any reports regarding Japan

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