(* 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, June 9, 2009, 9:27 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room in the House

Main topics:

Opening Statements
- (1) Emergency Grant Aid to Internally Displaced Persons in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- (2) A Nippon Television Journalist Having Entered into the Northern Territories
UN Security Council Resolution on North Korea's Nuclear Test
Sentencing of Two American Female Journalists by North Korea
Congressional Testimony on the Realignment of US Forces in Japan by the US Marine Corps Commandant
Launch of Ballistic Missile by North Korea
Relisting of North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the US

1. Opening Statements

(1) Emergency Grant Aid to Internally Displaced Persons in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Minister:
At the Cabinet Meeting, I reported on the emergency grand aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. About 350 million people have become IDPs in Pakistan. Japan pledged a total of 10 million USD in Emergency Grant Aid through the World Food Programme (WFP), the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). At the Pakistan Donors Conference held in Tokyo in April, Japan announced its intention to provide assistance of up to 1 billion USD over a period of two years. The Emergency Grant Aid is part of this assistance.

Related Information (Press Release)

(2) A Nippon Television Journalist Having Entered into the Northern Territories

Minister:
Recently, the chief of the Moscow bureau of the Nippon Television Network Corporation entered Etorofu Island for reporting, in accordance with Russian immigration procedures, and this reporting was broadcast. Regarding this incident, I strongly requested that Nippon Television take measures to prevent a repetition of such actions. Nippon Television issued a statement saying, "We understand fully that this reporting went against the Cabinet agreement. We are reflecting upon our actions and deeply regret what we have done. Moving forward, we will fully respect the position of the Japanese Government, especially the Cabinet agreement made in 1989. We will also take into account the sentiments of former Island residents and others involved in our reporting and broadcasting." I would like to call on the people of Japan and the mass media for their continued cooperation, as we have been asking in a series of Cabinet agreements. I would like to request that people understand that entering the Northern Territories in accordance with Russian immigration procedures conflicts with the unified opinion of the public as well as the policy of the Government, and that people not enter the Northern Territories in this way.

Question:
Regarding this Nippon Television issue, when and how did this statement come from Nippon Television and do you believe that the issue was resolved by this?

Minister:
I would like to refrain from giving details such as the timing of the statement as it involves communication between the Ministry and Nippon Television. However, it seems that they truly regret their actions and I would like for them to be careful in their reporting from now on.

2. UN Security Council Resolution on North Korea's Nuclear Test

Question:
I believe that procedures are coming to the final stage at the UN Security Council. Does it look like a resolution will be adopted today or tomorrow?

Minister:
Discussions are still ongoing. I hope that a good resolution will be adopted soon. They are working vigorously on this in New York right now and I believe that it is nearing the final stage.

Question:
When you talked to the Chinese Foreign Minister, it seemed that their cautious position had not changed. Is there anything that is obstructing progress?

Minister:
I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of our discussion; however, the Chinese Foreign Minister and I discussed how to make the resolution a good one.

Question:
I believe that one of the focal points at the Security Council is the issue of cargo inspections. In what way does this need to be incorporated into the resolution for Japan to take action?

Minister:
That would depend on the resolution. However, I believe that we will take action if action is necessary.

Question:
Would that include introducing new legislation?

Minister:
It would depend on the content. I believe we will make our decisions based on that. It will depend on the content of the resolution.

Question:
It seems that China has proposed a draft that will weaken the binding power of the UN resolution. Would this be acceptable to Japan?

Minister:
I cannot talk about China's exact demands as the resolution is currently under deliberation. However, this is being discussed with the other countries as well. Either way, I believe it is extremely important to issue a strong resolution that includes additional sanctions. A lot of time has now passed, so I hope that the resolution will be concluded soon.

3. Sentencing of Two American Female Journalists

Question:
Two American journalists detained by North Korea were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. How do you think the US will respond to this and what effect do you think this will have on future communications with North Korea?

Minister:
This is an issue that the Japanese Government is watching with a great deal of interest. The US Government is requesting the early release of the two journalists on humanitarian grounds, and we too are hoping for a swift resolution.

4. Congressional Testimony on the Realignment of US Forces in Japan by the US Marine Corps Commandant

Question:
Regarding the realignment of US Forces, last week, US Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway, indicated that he wanted to discuss changes before the Senate regarding the relocation of US Forces to Guam and the relocation of Futenma Air Station. How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plan to handle this going forward?

Minister:
I am aware of his statement. However, I do not know what his intent was. Either way, Japan and the US have agreed on moving forward with the realignment of US Forces according to the roadmap and this policy has not changed. Additionally, as the US has implemented budgetary measures, we will move forward with this according to the agreement.

5. Launch of Ballistic Missile by North Korea

Question:
North Korea will reportedly launch a ballistic missile immediately after the adoption of a resolution - at the earliest. Is Japan fully prepared for that?

Minister:
It is not appropriate for me to speak on what actions I imagine North Korea will take in the future. In any event, the launch of a missile, including a ballistic missile, would be a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. North Korea should take this into account in making a decision. It is of utmost importance for Japan to be fully prepared.

6. Relisting of North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the US

Question:
Secretary of State Clinton stated that the US would consider relisting North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. Designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism was a big event, and should North Korea be relisted as such, although it is a matter of the US, it would be a good thing for Japan. How will Japan respond to such a development?

Minister:
This is an issue regarding the application of US domestic law, and is a matter for the US to decide. As Secretary of State Clinton has acknowledged, you need legal evidence in order to relist a nation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and you have to prove that the nation is conducting international terrorist activity. In that sense, I assume that consideration is always being made on this issue, and that what Secretary of State Clinton meant was that the United States needs a firm response to North Korea.

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