Press Conference by the Press Secretary 20 February 1996

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Before I take your questions I would like to make two very brief announcements. My first announcement concerns the policy guidelines approved by the Cabinet this morning relating to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Given the complexity of some of the issues involved, we have asked a colleague who is very well versed in the Law of the Sea to give you a briefing on this morning's decision. So, I would appreciate it very much if you would ask all questions directly related to the Law of the Sea in the briefing session which will be held immediately after this regular press conference.
Debt relief measures for the Russian Federation
My second announcement concerns debt relief measures for the Russian Federation by the Japanese Government. Last night, Ambassador of Japan to the Russian Federation Koji Watanabe and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Aleksandr Panov of the Russian Federation exchanged notes on debt relief measures for Russia. The official debts that Russia has vis-à-vis Japan consist of two portions. The Export-Import Bank portion and the portion relating to commercial debts insured by the Government. An agreement was reached last November on the commercial debt portion. So, the exchange of notes effected yesterday only covers the Export-Import Bank portion. Two types of measures will be taken: debt rescheduling and debt referral. The total amount of the debt covered by the measures will be -- there are two portions -- the yen-denominated portion is 1.37 yen billion, and the United States dollar-denominated portion is US$93.5 million. These measures are being taken in accordance with the Paris Club Agreement reached in June last year and are part of Japan's assistance to Russia as one of its major creditor countries. As you may recall, the G-7 Summit held in Halifax welcomed this Paris Club Agreement. This is the third of such measures taken by Japan and covers the year 1995 only. These measures are not to be confused with the comprehensive rescheduling for the year 1996 and thereafter, now being discussed in the Paris Club. Those are the announcements that I wanted to make and I will be very glad to answer your questions.
Visit to the United States of America by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
Q: I would like to hear a few thoughts on Friday's meeting in Santa Monica -- a little bit on the perspective from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on what is going to happen and what you hope to accomplish.

A: Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan has met President William Clinton of the United States in the past. But, this was before he became Prime Minister. He has not had a meeting with the President in his capacity as the top government leader of Japan. The objective of this meeting is to establish good personal ties between the two leaders. As you know, we attach a great deal of importance to the scheduled visit by President Clinton to Japan in April. We consider it a golden opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the overall ties between Japan and the United States, particularly on the security aspect. In order to ensure a successful visit in April, we believe that this meeting in Santa Monica is going to be very important. We cannot over emphasize the importance of close personal ties between the leaders in a bilateral relationship.

Q: How are they going to do this? Play golf? Just talk? Subsequent talks?

A: I do not have the exact timing of the meeting, but it is expected to last about an hour. The leaders will be discussing Japan-United States relations in general and will discuss whatever they have on their minds.

Q: Just an hour?

A: Yes.
Visit to Japan by Parliamentary Delegation from the Republic of Poland
Q: A Polish Parliamentary Delegation is visiting Japan now. They will have a meeting with Prime Minister Hashimoto tonight. I wonder if you know what they will be talking about?

A: I do not have a readout of that meeting yet. We can brief you on the meeting later when the readout comes in.
Japan-United States acquisition and cross-servicing agreement
Q: Would you like to comment on the recent announcement that the Japanese decided not to provide assistance to American vessels operating outside a certain zone?

A: I think you are referring to the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement which is being considered by the two governments. This matter is still being discussed internally within the Japanese Government. The contents of the agreement have not been firmed-up yet, so I cannot comment on that.
Territorial issues
Q: Can you give us an update on the situation with Korea right now on this island, particularly given, I understand, that the Diet today has approved the 200 mile economic zone?

A: As I said at the outset of this conference, it is not the Diet that made a decision. The Cabinet approved a set of policy guidelines. There will be a detailed briefing on these guidelines in the briefing session that will follow this press conference.

Q: I was asking about where things stand with Korea -- the overall bilateral issue, not the particular guidelines associated with this.

A: We have been asked that question a number of times over the past week or so. There is very little to add to what we have already said, but since you may not have been present at last week's press conferences, let me summarize what we have said. Our position on territorial rights over Takeshima has been the same all along -- it is consistent. However, we do not want to see differences over Takeshima undermine the friendly and cooperative ties between Japan and the Republic of Korea. We value our ties with the Republic of Korea. I understand that the Republic of Korea is of the same position. With regard to questions relating to the establishment of the exclusive economic zone, we would like to separate this from the territorial issue and solve this matter through talks on fishing questions. We would like to move forward quickly with talks on the establishment of a new fishing regime with the Republic of Korea. This was clearly stated in the Cabinet decision made this morning.
Japan-Australia bilateral relations
Q: A lot of what you said about the great importance of personal relationships in the bilateral relationship -- could you comment on the possibility of the change in government which may occur in Australia in the next ten days?

A: It is our policy not to comment on the domestic affairs of other countries, first off. Of course, we have enjoyed excellent ties with Australia over the years and it is, of course, our intention to keep it that way.
Issues regarding the People's Republic of China and Taiwan
Q: Would you like to comment on a recent statement by Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Freeman, who said that if China chose to attack Taiwan, that Japan would be forced to rearm?

A: I do not know exactly what he said. I do not have the transcript of what former Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Charles Freeman of the United States said, so I should not comment on what he said. But, with regard to the situation around the Taiwan Strait, it is our position that we believe it is important -- essential -- that the question related to Taiwan should be resolved through peaceful means between the parties. In our high level meetings with the Government of the People's Republic of China, we have called on the Chinese side to resolve this issue through peaceful means.
Senkaku Islands issues
Q: Sorry I am late. On the question of the Senkaku Islands, I believe the Taiwanese made a statement on 14 February reaffirming their sovereignty over these islands. Do you feel that, not being an independent country, they are competent to assert such a claim -- and B, are they competent in declaring an exclusive economic zone -- and maintaining or imposing?

A: To answer the first part of your question, I can only state the position of the Japanese Government regarding the Senkaku Islands. Historically and legally, the Senkakus have always been a part of Japanese territory. It is under the effective control of Japan and there is no territorial issue as far as the Senkakus are concerned. With regard to the second part of your question, I suggest you ask that question at the briefing session which will follow this regular press conference in which the Law of the Sea questions will be addressed.
Fishing rights discussions
Q: We have been told that you are having discussions with the Chinese and the Koreans on fishing rights, etc. Are you having discussions with the Taiwanese on this?

A: I have no knowledge of that. I do not think so.

Q: What stage are the fishing talks at with Korea at this point? You mentioned your desire to have the issue split between the economic zone and the fishing rights and the island. What stage are those fishing talks at?

A: We would like to initiate these talks as soon as possible.

Q: Has Korea given you any response to that?

A: This was discussed between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Ambassador to Japan Kim Tae Zhee of the Republic of Korea in their meeting last week. I think both sides are in agreement that we should talk about fishing matters.

Q: But no date yet?

A: No.

Q: Will these discussions deal exclusively with fishing matters, or is there any aspect of mineral exploitation or whatever involved in that, too? Is it strictly fishing matters?

A: The idea is to discuss fishing matters.

Q: This afternoon I understand Minister of Foreign Affairs Gong of the Republic of Korea will give a statement at a press conference at 16:00. Is that coordinated, as far as you know, with the guidelines?

A: Thank you for telling me that he is having a press conference at 16:00, because I did not know.

Q: NHK News -- that is what I heard on the news.

A: That information is very useful. Thank you very much.
United Nations Security Council elections
Q: How is Japan's contest with India for the United Nations Security Council open seat going?

A: I do not have an update on this. We are trying our very best to win in the elections. Of course, India is a formidable rival for the seat. We will be trying our very best. We attach a great deal of importance to the non- permanent seat. As you know, we are prepared to discharge our responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council; however, first of all, the United Nations members have to reach agreement on a reform package for the Security Council. Even if this happens this autumn, as we hope, it will take a number of years for the amendment of the United Nations Charter to be ratified by the member states and come into effect. In the meantime, we would like to play a role in the Security Council as a non-permanent member. So, we attach a great deal of importance to the elections this year.
Possible European Union involvement in the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO)
Q: It has been reported, I think today, that the EU might be interested or might apply to become a full board member of KEDO. I don't know if you can confirm that, and what would be the position of the Japanese Government on that if the EU was interested?

A: I do not know. I was not aware of that announcement. Together with the Republic of Korea and the United States, we have been urging the European Union to make contributions to the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO). I think we would welcome European Union participation in the KEDO. Perhaps it is premature to discuss here the specific modalities of European Union participation in the KEDO, but we would welcome very much the contributions from the European Union. Thank you very much.

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