Press Conference by Press Sec. 20 January 1995

1. Statement of gratitude for the offers of assistance to Japan from other countries in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake
2. Policy Speech to the 132nd Session of the National Diet by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama
3. Foreign Policy Speech to the 132nd Session of the National Diet by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
4. Visit to Japan by President Mary Robinson of the Republic of Ireland
5. Accession of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria to the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
6. Message of condolences in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake from North Korea
7. Foreign condolences and offers of aid in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake
8. Foreign victims of the Southern Hyogo Earthquake

1. Statement of gratitude for the offers of assistance to Japan from other countries in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let me start today's regular briefing session. I may take a bit more time at the outset because there are so many things to announce, so, I do hope that you will be able to bear with me. The first announcement is a statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono. Let me read the statement, which was is follows: "The Government of Japan expresses its deep sense of gratitude for warm messages of sympathy and offers of support and assistance from other countries for the afflicted areas and people in connection with the earthquake in southern Hyogo Prefecture. These goodwill gestures are encouraging for the many Japanese people who are suffering from the disaster and also for those who are making every effort in taking necessary emergency measures in rescue, fire fighting, and other relief activities." This is the statement issued by Foreign Minister Kono today.

2. Policy Speech to the 132nd Session of the National Diet by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Now, let me take up two policy speeches. At this very moment, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama is making his Policy Speech. Today is the opening day of the 132nd Session of the National Diet. Therefore, I should like to take this opportunity to take up some salient points of the Speech. Prime Minister Murayama's Speech will be followed this afternoon by Foreign Minister Kono's Foreign Policy Speech. Let me, first of all, touch upon Prime Minister Murayama's Speech. I am quite sure that you have got a rather lengthy text of the Policy Speech. Prime Minister Murayama's Speech addresses both domestic and diplomatic policies. At the outset of the Policy Speech, Prime Minister Murayama describes how best the Government can deal with the disaster situation brought about by the Southern Hyogo Earthquake. Now, you may perhaps note that, in this Speech, Prime Minister Murayama explains in full detail the basic domestic policy, in which he singles out four pillars. I quote: "Working domestically through determined reforms to create a free and lively socio-economy, an intellectual tradition worthy of future generations, and a society in which the people can enjoy peace of mind and comfort, and working internationally to contribute commensurate with Japan's standing for the creation of world peace." Now, Prime Minister Murayama gives us a well-detailed presentation of the first three pillars of his policy which I just quoted. Let me simply stress that this domestic policy composed of the three pillars covers in concrete terms the following matters: the importance of administrative reform, fiscal and tax reform, reform of the economic structure, and such socio-economic matters as have a direct bearing on the daily lives of citizens as well as their future implications in the fields of agriculture, education, science and technology, and human intellectual resources. Now, referring to foreign policy, Prime Minister Murayama emphasizes: "Japanese foreign policy is founded upon our resolve not to forget our remorse of the past and to do what we can for the creation of world peace." Prime Minister Murayama succinctly describes the role Japan should play in the areas of the United Nations, Peace-keeping Operations, nuclear disarmament, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and others. Prime Minister Murayama also makes a concise mention of the necessity of advancing further the interdependent relationships in the Asia- Pacific region. He also stresses the importance of bilateral relations based on trust and cooperation. Prime Minister Murayama concludes his remarks by emphasizing Japan's contribution to enable the whole world to live together in harmony and prosperity. These are, more or less, the major points of Prime Minister Murayama's Speech.

3. Foreign Policy Speech to the 132nd Session of the National Diet by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Now, let me take up the Foreign Policy Speech to be delivered by Foreign Minister Kono. Foreign Minister Kono starts his Speech by mentioning the international situation and the role of Japan, in which he emphasizes: "I am determined to make every effort to ensure that Japan's foreign policy plays a creative role in global peace and prosperity." Then, Foreign Minister Kono addresses five major policy issues: first, peaceful resolution of regional conflicts -- in this context, a specific mention is made of Japan's contribution to United Nations Peace-keeping Operations (PKO); second, the promotion of disarmament and non-proliferation -- which includes, among others, the question of nuclear weapons development in North Korea; third, the question of economic issues, including the World Trade Organization (WTO); fourth, Japan's cooperation with developing countries and former socialist countries; and fifth, global issues -- such as the environment, population, AIDS and narcotics. After addressing these policy issues, Foreign Minister Kono points out the importance of promoting international cooperation. In this context, he refers to the United Nations and to the Asia-Pacific region -- emphasizing, in particular, the vital role being played by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the newly created ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Speaking of the Asia-Pacific region, I should like to invite your attention to a passage which reads: "Here, I would like to call once more for resumption of Japan-North Korea normalization talks, and to express the hope that North Korea will respond in a forward-looking manner." He states, with respect to Chechnya: "The situation in Chechnya, where many lives have been lost, is regrettable from a humanitarian viewpoint. Japan strongly hopes for a peaceful recovery of domestic order and that reform in Russia will continue without faltering." Finally, Foreign Minister Kono refers to the important relations among Japan, the United States and the European Union, and to the necessity of advancing mutual understanding. This is, more or less, the thrust of Foreign Minister Kono's Speech.

4. Visit to Japan by President Mary Robinson of the Republic of Ireland

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: I have two additional announcements which I will make in a very brief manner. President Mary Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, and Mr. Robinson, accompanied by a suite, will arrive in Japan on 20 February and will pay a State Visit to Japan from 21 to 23 February. The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Robinson and Mr. Robinson, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and Ireland.

5. Accession of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

   Foreign Ministry Spokesman Terusuke Terada: Finally, drawing your attention to the statement made on 18 January concerning the accession of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria to the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) -- Japan welcomes Algeria's accession to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We are happy to note that Algeria became the 169th Party to the NPT. You may perhaps note that Japan had repeatedly urged Algeria to accede to the NPT.

   Those are the announcements that I wanted to make and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.

6. Message of condolences in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake from North Korea

   Q: All three relate to the earthquake in one way or another. Regarding this reference you just made to the DPRK-Japan relationship, concerning the DPRK's reactions to the earthquake, the prime minister's message to Prime Minister Murayama -- does the Government of Japan have any intention of responding to the prime minister of North Korea?

   A: Could you repeat the last portion of your question?

   Q: The North Korean prime minister has sent a message of condolences to Prime Minister Murayama. Has Prime Minister Murayama responded to that, or acknowledged it, or does he intend to acknowledge it?

   A: As you said, we received a message through the intermediary of the deputy chairman of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. The message aims at conveying to us condolences from Mr. Kang Song San, premier of the administrative council of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, addressed to the Prime Minister of Japan. At this stage, may I simply state that we are studying it. This is all that I can say.

   Q: Why does Japan seem to be studying everything? I mean, you have heard the last couple of days -- the earthquake, what has happened there. Let me direct a specific question. The Americans have offered everything, including drinking water. You and I watch the same television and see the shortage.

   A: I think you are confusing two different things. The distinguished journalist from India is kindly reminded that there is no official diplomatic relationship between Japan and the DPRK. This has a certain, I would say, implication in the diplomatic sense as well, with which you are so familiar.

   Q: Can I follow up on this?

   A: Perhaps I should give the chance to the other gentleman who is waiting for his turn.

7. Foreign condolences and offers of aid in connection with the Southern Hyogo Earthquake

   Q: I think everybody wants to express their sorrow and condolences on the earthquake. I would like to ask a question and then receive your comment. Could I ask how many foreign countries have offered aid, and could you give a rundown of what aid you have accepted, and explain why you did not accept the offer of aid from the United States to Japan?

   A: I do appreciate very much indeed your kind expression of condolences addressed to us. The factual information at present is that, in the first place, we received messages of condolences from 117 countries and areas altogether. The generous offers made to the Government of Japan have numbered, as of today, 29 countries and two international organizations. As I introduced to you all the statement by Foreign Minister Kono, we are very much appreciative of such generous offers, and we are quite willing to accept all these kind offers, in accordance with the actual local demands in the immediate disaster area. So, we are continually determining what kind of local needs we are going to have and what we cannot do, and what can be obtained from outside sources. So far, in so doing, we have identified a severe shortage of blankets, therefore, we immediately accepted the kind offer made to us by President William Clinton of the United States of America, who sent a very positive message to us. Therefore, we asked for the supply of blankets. That was done in such a swift manner, firstly, by the United States Armed Forces in Japan. We are told that additional blankets will be provided by the United States Forces in Okinawa; we understand that, in total, we are to receive 52,000 blankets. We are very much grateful to the Government of the United States for this generous offer. At the same time, while conducting the very difficult on-site rescue operations, we also encountered the dire necessity of needing some good help -- and that help came from the Government of the Swiss Confederation in the form of sending 12 search dogs together with specialists. I understand that Switzerland has long experience in rescuing people who are sometimes trapped in the mountainside; therefore, they do have well-trained dogs. Apart from that, everything is dependent on the actual local necessity. But I repeat, we are quite happy to accept this kind of humanitarian generous offer. Let me tell you that, indeed, we are very much feeling the sense of a solidarity of the international community.

   Q: Can I follow up on that, please? This morning's Asahi Shimbun reports that there are large areas of Ashiya, Nishinomiya and Kobe in which no one has even looked at a whole series of homes that have collapsed, which would certainly indicate that you need more people. Why have you not accepted the offer of U.S. troops?

   A: I think already more than 10,000 Japanese Self- Defense Forces troops have been deployed.

   Q: But 30,000 buildings have been destroyed.

   A: Yes. I know. But I am quite sure that is being handled by the National Land Agency, and already, a centralized headquarters is established at the Prime Minister's Office. So, in determining the local necessities, we never fail to ask the Governments which are really offering us such effective, useful assistance.

8. Foreign victims of the Southern Hyogo Earthquake

   Q:Among the victims of the earthquake, how many foreigners are there so far?

   A: I regret to tell you I do not have any precise information. I am quite sure that the information is being gathered by the National Police Agency. But, I do not have any information with me.

   Q: May I go back to the Foreign Policy Speech by Foreign Minister Kono. In this text, on page five, he is going to say, "Here, I would like to call once more for resumption of Japan-North Korea normalization talks, and to express the hope that North Korea will respond in a forward-looking manner." Does it imply that the Government of Japan has been somehow trying to persuade them to come back to negotiate?

   A: As you know, and as I explain to you from time to time whenever I am asked the same question, our position remains unchanged. In other words, since the last negotiation, which broke down two years ago, we have been saying that our door is fully open for the resumption of talks, without attaching any preconditions. We are simply keeping this position quite clearly as well as publicly, at this time.

   Q: So, Japan's stance has not changed since 1993?

   A: In the sense that we are willing to resume the talks, no. May I remind you that, at the last round of the negotiations, the North Korean delegation walked out.

   Q: You said you didn't have any precise information on the number of foreign deaths. Is there any institution in the entire Government of Japan making an effort to compile a statistic on that?

   A: I would simply remind you that, normally, it is the duty of the National Police Agency, because, after all, the compilation of data should be done on the national level.

   Q: Is that duty being performed?

   A: Yes. It has the job of coordinating all the factual --

   Q: No announcements have appeared in the Japanese press concerning a figure of foreign deaths.

   A: Perhaps, I would like to ask you to address this question to the National Police Agency.

   Q: In Foreign Minister Kono's Foreign Policy Speech, there is no mention about the Middle East. I just wondered if this Government has any policy about the Middle East?

   A: If you look very carefully, particularly at the Foreign Policy Speech -- there are two speeches made, Prime Minister Murayama's and Foreign Minister Kono's. To a certain extent, of course, Prime Minister Murayama himself is mentioning the basic foreign policy, but specifics are clearly stated in Foreign Minister Kono's Speech. You will see what we are doing in the areas of, if you refer to the question of peaceful resolution of regional conflicts, in that section you will see what we are doing there. Any further questions? Thank you very much.