Press Conference by the Press Secretary 8 March 1996
- Press Conference introduction
- Position of the Japanese Government on missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China
- Issues surrounding missile tests in the Taiwan Strait conducted by the People's Republic of China
- Issues regarding United States bases in Japan
- Press Conference introduction
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Immediately after this regular press conference, an official of the Cultural Exchange Department will be giving you a background briefing on Japan's bid to host the World Cup Soccer tournament in the year 2002.
- Position of the Japanese Government on missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China
Spokesman: Before I take your questions, I would like to make some brief comments on the missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China in the waters near Taiwan. According to an announcement made by the Taiwanese authorities this morning, Chinese military forces launched two surface-to-surface missiles early this morning which landed in the two test areas near Taiwan designated earlier by China. We are told that, subsequently, the Taiwanese authorities made an announcement saying that there was a third missile which landed off Kaohsiung. We strongly hope that the Taiwan question is settled peacefully by the parties, and that the parties act on the basis of such an approach. This view was conveyed by Prime Minister Hashimoto to Prime Minister Li Peng of the People's Republic of China in their recent meeting in Bangkok. The heightening of tensions in the Taiwan Strait is not desirable for peace and stability in East Asia. Moreover, one of the testing areas is located near Japanese territory. Therefore, we express our concern over the start of missile tests by China, and once again call on the parties to exercise restraint.
That is the announcement that I wanted to make and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
- Issues surrounding missile tests in the Taiwan Strait conducted by the People's Republic of China
Q: Because the Americans in the past have made the comment that if the tests go wrong there will be consequences, I would like to know if the tests do go wrong, which side will the Japanese Government take? The United States or China?
A: It is our policy not to respond to hypothetical questions. It is our understanding that the three missiles all landed in the testing areas announced by China. The day before yesterday, Director-General of the Asian Bureau Ryozo Kato of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a representation to the acting minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China here in Tokyo. In this meeting, Director-General of the Asian Bureau Kato said he did not think that heightening of tensions in the Taiwan Strait was desirable for peace and stability in East Asia, and he called upon China to exercise restraint. He also said that the tests were being conducted near Japanese territorial waters. For example, the testing area off Keelung is only 60 km away from the island of Yonaguni. Since the tests were being conducted close to Japanese territory, Japan was worried that something unexpected could happen. We have air routes between Okinawa and Taipei. Because of the tests, the flights between Okinawa and Taipei are being forced to make a detour. Japanese authorities are now conducting studies on what other effects the tests may have on Japanese interests in terms of fishing and transport. Depending on the results of such studies, we may be making further representations to the Chinese Government.
Q: Do you have any initial conclusions on that study -- on the impact on the sea lanes, on air routes, on fishing?
A: The only conclusion that we have reached is that the tests will affect the air routes -- the flights by Japanese carriers between Okinawa and Taipei. We are still conducting studies on what other effects the tests may have.
Q: It is reported by Japanese newspapers that, actually, Japanese Self Defense Forces will send a fleet to the Taiwan Strait on the day of 13 March. Can you confirm that information as related to the current tension?
A: I have not heard anything about that.
Q: Since you have mentioned that it is really close to Japanese waters and territory, and the island which is called --.
A: Yonaguni.
Q: So, what if something happens, jeopardizing the safety of Japan?
A: I do not want to respond to hypothetical questions. It goes against the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do so. But, if the tests have a material effect on Japanese interests, we will deal with the matter appropriately. That is all I can say at this moment.
Q: Prime Minister Hashimoto said this morning that this has taken an unfortunate direction. Would you take that as your own comment as Foreign Ministry spokesman?
A: I read that comment in some media reports, but I do not have a transcript of what he said. But, as I said, we are concerned by what happened this morning.
Q: Clearly, the military alliance between America and Japan now is a big issue. So, if -- if America decides to go intervene in this matter, Japan would, in a way, have to do so, having this alliance. Isn't that true?
A: I think I have already told you that we do not answer hypothetical questions. Although there do exist tensions in the Taiwan Strait, there is nothing to suggest that a military clash is imminent there. Therefore, a situation involving an armed clash in the Taiwan Strait, and involving United States intervention, is highly hypothetical. As I have said, it is our policy not to answer hypothetical questions.
Q: Can you tell us what the distance is between the mainland and Taiwan -- this gulf? Does it come under a 200 mile economic or whichever zone, or is it more?
A: I would not know. I was never good at geography.
Q: I thought you were.
Q: You don't have any insight exactly into the accuracy of the tests do you? All you know is it landed within their test zone?
A: That is all I know. According to the announcement by the Taiwanese authorities, that is the case.
Q: Right. Ok.
A: Of course, the Japanese Defense Agency has reason to believe that the tests were conducted this morning; however, we have not been able to confirm the number of missiles, or the type of missiles, or where exactly the missiles landed.
Q: Is there any contact between the Japanese authorities and the Taiwanese authorities?
A: You know that there are no official ties between Japan and Taiwan. In accordance with the Japan-People's Republic of China Joint Communique, our ties with Taiwan are limited to non-governmental ties.
Q: Shinshinto this morning issued a communique where they asked China to stop the missile tests. Do you see any grounds to that policy?
A: I am not in a position to make any comments on statements issued by political parties of Japan. The position of the Japanese Government on the missile tests is as I have told you.
- Issues regarding United States bases in Japan
Q: I was in Okinawa at a meeting of Governor Ota, and he mentioned that he had asked both the Japanese and U.S. Governments to include in the communique by President Clinton and Prime Minister Hashimoto in April, or rather, not to state the number of troops, 47,000, to be stationed in Japan -- not to put a number. Is there any sign that this request will be granted, or is there any progress in that specific request?
A: Yes, we do plan to issue a joint document at the time of the visit to Japan by President William Clinton of the United States of America. We are still discussing the contents of this document. It has not been finalized yet, so I cannot comment on the specifics of what the document will say.
Q: Is that request by Governor Ota one of the comments being discussed?
A: Yes, we are aware of the request.
Q: And, there are yet no official statements regarding the reduction or removal of the bases in Okinawa? Nothing is official yet?
A: This process will continue until this autumn. As you know, last November, the two governments set up the Special Action Committee on Facilities and Areas in Okinawa (SACO). The two sides are conducting a comprehensive review concerning the bases in Okinawa. We are still in the process of this review concerning the bases in Okinawa. Yesterday, we had a meeting of the working group of the SACO. In this meeting, there were two agreements in principle: one regarding the signing of an agreement concerning noise abatement -- noise emanating from aircraft in Okinawa; and another agreement in principle regarding tags for United States military vehicles which transit the public thoroughfares outside the bases. Also, the question of the realignment, consolidation and down-scaling of bases was discussed. But, we are still in the stage of identifying and sorting out the problems regarding each base in Okinawa. Of course, President Clinton's visit to Japan in April will be a very important part of the process. We hope to make as much progress as possible by then. Thank you very much.
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