Press Conference by the Press Secretary 16 January 1996

Japan-U.S. bilateral relations
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference.

Q: I understand the new Minister for Foreign Affairs is going to visit the United States soon. Could you confirm that and could you tell us what kind of things they will discuss?

A: This morning, prior to the cabinet meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda met Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been consulting with the United States Department of State on a meeting between Secretary of State Christopher and him. A broad agreement has been reached and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda said that he would like to leave Japan on 18 January and meet Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Secretary of Defense William Perry on 19 January and hold a conference with those gentlemen to discuss the bilateral and international issues which the two parties are interested in. Prime Minister Hashimoto said that the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship is very important and he hopes that Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda will go to Washington to hold talks with those two people.

Q: Will Mr. Ikeda have a meeting with President Clinton?

A: Apart from what we have said, we still do not know his exact itinerary -- we are coordinating with the United States State Department on the agenda. As far as the meeting with Secretary of State Christopher and Secretary of Defense Perry is concerned, it has already been confirmed.

Q: Is he going to discuss Okinawa issues?

A: Although the actual agenda has not been finalized, once Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda holds talks on bilateral issues, I am sure that the security-related matters will be discussed.

Q: And what of President Clinton's visit to Japan?

A: One of the most important considerations for Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda is that he has been very recently appointed to the Office. For us, Mr. Clinton's visit in April is very important; therefore, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda would like to prepare thoroughly for a successful visit. In view of this, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda will hold a talk with both Secretary of State Christopher and Secretary of Defense Perry.

Q: Are there new agreements to be signed between the Japanese Government and the United States during this visit to Japan?

A: When President Clinton was scheduled to come to Japan last November, both the Japanese Government and the Clinton Administration talked about the possibility of issuing the joint paper related to the security relationship. I think that will be the case.

Q: How would you define a successful visit? What would you hope would be accomplished in order to declare it successful? As far as a joint paper is concerned, are you hoping that it will accomplish something new, or simply reaffirm the relationship as it has been done many times already?

A: First of all, both the Japanese Government and the Clinton Administration repeatedly say that the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. With the new Government very recently established in Japan, it is natural for us to reconfirm this fundamental position at the highest possible level. So, in this sense, when President Clinton comes, I am sure this will be reconfirmed. This is one point. The other is that both Japan and the United States are of the view that the bilateral relationship should be developed in a more balanced way, and in the past -- and even now -- we say that the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship is based on three pillars: One is the political and security relationship; the second is the economic and trade relationship; and the third is the common agenda -- bilateral cooperation in the area of global concern or agenda. In the past, the trade and economic relationship was focused on too much, so when President Clinton was scheduled to come to Japan last November, both sides intended to issue a joint paper on the security relationship, and both governments intended to tell their publics that the Japan-U.S. relationship is based on the security relationship. At the same time, we intended to announce that bilateral cooperation on the global agenda has also been going very well. I think that this task will be continued with President Clinton's April visit. If those paths are followed properly, I think we can call it a successful visit. As for the security relationship, we have a difficult situation on Okinawa. While the Japanese Government intends to firmly commit itself to the Japan-U.S. Alliance, at the same time, within the scope of achieving the objectives of the Security Alliance, it would like to make progress on the American bases on Okinawa. That is what the Okinawan people want. Therefore, I think the Japanese and American sides are going to do their best to tackle this issue. Incidentally, both governments will endeavor to produce an agreement on the base issue by November this year; therefore, both governments will not be in a position to tell fully what we can do when President Clinton comes. However, I am sure that both governments will do their best before President Clinton comes.

Q: Could you give us the status on the lawsuit that the Government of Japan is filing against Governor Ota to force him to sign the agreements? What is happening on that issue, and what is the timing on it? The U.S. military says that unless those agreements are signed by April, they are going to have to stop using those facilities. So, do you expect some resolution of that issue by the time President Clinton comes here?

A: We leave these matters to the court and the court is handling it properly. We hope that the court will make these decisions as soon as possible, but we are not sure if the court will give a final report of decisions by the end of March. We understand there is one owner of land whose contract will be over by the end of March. So, what I can tell you is that, for the time being, through the court we will do our best to solve the issue. But, if the court is unable to make a decision by the end of March, we will know we have a problem. For the time being I cannot tell you what will happen after that.

Q: I read somewhere that the Government of Japan has some kind of emergency power so that even if the court does not make a decision by the end of March you would have the emergency power to allow the continued use of this land. Is this true?

A: According to the present laws and regulations, there is a clause which you just touched on. But, there are some complications about how to interpret the clause, so I am afraid that I cannot make an authoritative comment on the procedural matters now.

Q: Can you elaborate on what you just mentioned as bilateral cooperation and global agenda between Japan and the United States?

A: In general, we call this a common agenda, which means that we have been developing bilateral cooperation in subjects such as global environmental issues, women in development, how to tackle drug trafficking, etc. The subjects themselves are rather broad. The bilateral dialog in relation to Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) or corporations can also be included here. But, basically this common agenda is related to social and economic matters which have global implications.
Japan-People's Republic of China security dialog
Q: I understand there was a security dialog in Beijing between Japan and the People's Republic of China. Could you give us the details, and particularly what the People's Republic of China was concerned about?

A: This is the third meeting of this type. Yesterday, the meeting was held in Beijing, and today, also, they are holding talks. So, what I can tell you is about the talks of yesterday. This is the nature of the so-called political-military consultation. They first talked about security situations in the Asia-Pacific region. The other point is that they explained their respective security and defense policies. As for the first agenda item, the People's Republic of China expressed its view that the Asia- Pacific region is relatively stable in general, although in some places, conflicts can happen. But, it is not expected that a big scale conflict is going to take place. At the same time, the People's Republic of China said that there is the view of the so-called "Chinese threat," but that it is completely baseless. The Japanese side replied that there is an uncertainty factor over the Korean Peninsula and that the American presence is vitally important for peace and stability in the region. The Japanese Government has not officially talked about the "Chinese threat," and has been endeavoring to objectively analyze the situations relating to the People's Republic of China. In order to counterbalance the "China threat," the People's Republic of China was advised to heighten transparency on defense policy and hold various types of dialog with its counterparts. In this sense, the Japanese side highly appreciated the issue of the white paper on disarmament and arms control by the Government of the People's Republic of China. At the same time, the Japanese side reiterated its position on the nuclear tests and asked the People's Republic of China to not resume testing. The Japanese side explained about the newly published defense guidelines. The People's Republic of China replied that basically, they cannot support foreign military presence in other countries; however, the People's Republic of China said that the United States and the countries concerned in the Asia-Pacific regi
Q: Were there any comments from the People's Republic of China on its worry about Japanese defense spending -- also, possible Japanese participation in joint development of the Theater Missile Defense (TMD).

A: When the Japanese side explained the newly announced defense guidelines, they said that they listened to the explanations with interest. They understand that the new guidelines touch on the fundamental Japanese policy of a completely defensive posture, civil control and the three non-nuclear principles. Those things have been incorporated for the first time into the general guidelines, and the general guidelines have been approved by the Cabinet. That is what they understand. At the same time, they say that they are interested in the Japanese defense expenditure and they hope that Japan keeps a cautious attitude toward its defense policy -- keeps its defense posture within the limit of its fundamental policy of "senshuboe," which literally means "completely defensive posture." As far as the Theater Missile Defense (TMD) is concerned, the People's Republic of China understood that the Japanese Government has not been committed to the TMD, but has just started to investigate this theory. At the same time, they expressed their hope that the Japanese Government is going to take a cautious attitude on the subject.

Q: Who represented the People's Republic of China in the talks?

A: First of all, from the Japanese side, Director-General of the Asian Affairs Bureau Ryozo Kato of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Director-General of the Defense Bureau of the Defense Agency Shunji Akiyama. From the People's Republic of China, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan, and General Xyong Guangkai from the Ministry of National Defense. At the same time, from the Japanese side, General Yamaguchi of the Self Defense Force also participated.
Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea trilateral consultations
Q: Later this week, I understand there are trilateral consultations by the United States, Republic of Korea and Japan about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Could you give us some information on who will represent Japan?

A: As you recall, last November, Secretary of State Christopher and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kon of the Republic of Korea met in Osaka, and they agreed to hold this meeting at the vice-ministerial level. It is expected to be held sometime at the end of this month, but today I am not yet in a position to announce the place and date. From the Japanese side, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yanai is expected to attend. They will talk about the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
Foreign policy of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda
Q: Has Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda said anything to you about what he would like his priorities to be as Minister for Foreign Affairs?

A: Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda did not specifically tell me what his priorities should be. However, he says the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship is profoundly important, and that is why he has chosen to go to Washington, D.C. For the time being, I think his main concern is the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship. At the same time, he expressed his various interests in his new capacity. For example, he showed his interest to further develop good relations with the Republic of Korea and with the Russian Federation. He understands that there will be several multilateral meetings this year. Without detailing specific priorities, first of all, he is determined to abide by what the previous government has done. He said that diplomatic continuity is very important, but at the same time, he would like to personally contribute to further promote personal relationships with various countries. In due course, you will know what he is going to do. The Diet sessions will start soon, so he will also have to attend the Diet meetings.

Q: He is seen in the United States as lacking the political clout or even the experience of people like former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono or previous Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Japan. Could you just provide a little background in terms of what kinds of experience he has in foreign affairs?

A: Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda is an experienced politician. He once was a Director-General of the Defense Agency. He understands defense matters very well. Once he was Director-General of the General Coordination Agency, and he knows about the management of the Japanese Government. I have personally met Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda many times, and he understands Japanese diplomatic activities very well, because every year he goes abroad and has a chance to talk with his counterparts and government people, and so on. On the basis of his ability and experience, he grips diplomatic matters very easily, and therefore, I am sure that his counterparts will appreciate his ability when they meet him.

Q: You were talking earlier about reaffirming the Japan- U.S. Security Treaty and the importance for both governments to do this. During the height of the Okinawa controversy, I know that U.S. officials were disappointed by what they perceived as a lack of high profile Japanese politicians of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs going out to the Japanese public to tell them that this Security Treaty was very important. So, I am just wondering whether Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda or other high officials of Prime Minister Hashimoto expect to change this and actually go out into the public and promote it more vigorously than they did during the time of Okinawa?

A: I remember very well that former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kono himself touched upon the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance in the last Diet session very often. However, the Diet people basically did not raise the question sufficiently. I am sure Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikeda is ready to talk on this, whenever possible, at the Diet session. At the same time, we -- the supporting staff -- want to increase our efforts to tell the public about the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Q: Do you have an actual P.R. strategy?

A: From this January on, to the end of March, we intend to dispatch around 100 staff of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to various parts of Japan and directly talk to the local people on Japanese diplomacy. During these sessions, we will also tell them, the local people, of the importance of the Alliance.

Q: Are these town hall type meetings? Who will you be meeting with?

A: Basically, this is for the level of director of a division -- in Japanese, "katcho." They are the core of the staff of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. One of the divisions under me is now arranging it. We cannot coerce them to listen to us, so we are asking them whether they would like to receive those Ministry officials and exchange views.

Q: To whom will they be speaking?

A: We are now asking the local prefectural governments and other private organizations, such as the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Trade, or other NGO-type of organizations which are interested in hearing the opinions of Japanese officials on this matter.
Effect of change in Government on Japanese foreign policy
Q: Can you share with us your experience on the impact of the ever-changing Japanese Government lately, on Japanese foreign policy, and the way Japanese conduct their foreign policy?

A: In 1993, when the Miyazawa Government stepped down and former Prime Minister Hosokawa took power, I remember that former Prime Minister Hosokawa said his government would continue the fundamental policy of the previous government. It was the case, too, when former Prime Minister Hata took over the Government from former Prime Minister Hosokawa. When former Prime Minister Murayama took over the Government from former Prime Minister Hata, the Social Democratic Party of Japan changed its fundamental policy on the Self Defense Forces, etc., and former Prime Minister Murayama publicly stated that his government would, for example, firmly maintain the Japan-U.S. security relationship, etc. Therefore, even if the Government has changed several times, the fundamental policy of the Japanese Government has not changed. So, in this sense, we do not think we have had controversy over Japanese policy. In addition to this, we very much appreciate that former Prime Minister Murayama took the initiative and issued a statement on the perceptions of Japanese history on 15 August 1995. Therefore, up until now, in my personal capacity, I do not feel that there has been any trouble on the principle question of Japanese policy. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

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