Press Conference by the Press Secretary 28 January 1997

Press Conference
1. Visit to Japan by President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: This visit to Japan by President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea has provided the leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea with an opportunity to exchange views on a wide range of issues in the relaxed atmosphere following the meeting between the leaders last year in June on Cheju Island. These were the fourth such talks since Prime Minister Hashimoto assumed office. They have contributed to the establishment of increased trust between the leaders of our two countries, and a meaningful exchange of viewpoints has been achieved. With respect to bilateral relations, there are issues in which our two countries think differently, and while both sides have held to their respective positions, our leaders are agreed that it is necessary to overcome these differences and work in a forward-looking manner to strengthen cooperation between our two countries. In particular, this meeting has produced concrete results in the area of youth exchange activities.
  
  With regard to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, this meeting was significant in that it reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to close cooperation between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. Friendly cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea is important not just in the context of our bilateral relationship, but also to the international community as a whole. The leaders of both countries have expressed their desire to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in the international community. This is of great significance for future relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea.
2. Hostage situation in Peru
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hiroshi Hashimoto: The situation remains unpredictable toward the initiation of direct talks between the Government of the Republic of Peru and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). The Government of Japan has continually placed its fullest confidence in the Government of Peru, and it has worked together with the Government of Peru to achieve a peaceful resolution of the hostage crisis and to obtain the early release of all the hostages unharmed. In spite of these efforts, however, the hostages have now been detained for a long time. It is our hope that the process for establishing a Committee of Guarantors has been accelerated, and that direct talks between the Government of Peru and the MRTA will begin at an early date. These are my announcements. I would be delighted to answer any questions which you may have.
Shipping of low-grade nuclear waste from Taiwan to North Korea for storage
Q: In the Summit Meeting, the two leaders agreed to take joint action to stop all low-grade nuclear waste shipped from the Government of Taiwan to North Korea. Has there been any actions taken on the Japanese side in this regard?

A: The Government of Japan is now closely watching the situation. I would like to remind you that at the last meeting between Prime Minister Hashimoto and President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of Korea, President Kim Young Sam expressed his concern about environmental protection saying this issue will not only effect the Republic of Korea, but also Japan. Prime Minister Hashimoto replied that any anxiety on the possible negative impact of this environmental issue and nuclear safety should be wiped out. In principle, transport and dispositions of nuclear waste is not prohibited under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international agreements. According to the existing agreements, it is desirable that transport and dispositions be carried out in accordance with international safety standards. On this basis, we have still not been fully informed about the details of this project. Therefore, we are closely watching this situation. We have contacted the Republic of Korea, and continue to exchange views on this subject.

Q: The day after the Summit, the Korean media reported that the Government of Japan and the Government of Korea decided to take action on this. From looking at the briefings that were held in Beppu, I noticed that Mr. Kato, while briefing on the Summit itself, said that right after Prime Minister Hashimoto heard from President Kim Young Sam regarding this issue, Prime Minister Hashimoto said that Japan did not have a diplomatic relationship with either Taiwan and North Korea. Does this show in some way the reluctance of the Japanese Government to get too deeply involved in this issue?

A: Currently, we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. It is natural that we have some difficulties in communicating with the authorities. However, this does not mean that we are not interested in certain issues. We are very much interested in any nuclear safety issue. Therefore, in this context, we are closely watching the situation. You should note that Japan is a member of the IAEA, and fully abides by international agreements on this type of issue. Therefore, under the present agreement, for the time being, what Japan can do is closely watch the situation in close consultations with the Republic of Korea. Yes, Prime Minister Hashimoto said that any anxiety over the possible negative impact on the environment and nuclear safety should be wiped out when he was briefed by President Kim Young Sam on this issue. I do not recall that both gentlemen agreed at that time to take joint action toward Taiwan.
Hostage Situation in Peru
Q: Regarding the situation in Peru and the shots that were fired, Prime Minister Hashimoto has gone on record saying that he is concerned about the way that the Government of Peru is handling this, and the response that the terrorists had. What is Japan concerned about in light of the police actions yesterday?

A: First of all, we have to take into fullest consideration that the hostage crisis drags on. Maybe the hostages are worried about the lack of progress in direct talks between the Government of Peru and the MRTA. The Government of Japan places fullest confidence and trust in the Government of Peru on this. But at the same time, we believe that now is the time to actually begin direct talks between the Government of Peru and the MRTA. Several hours ago, Minister of Education Domingo Palermo of the Republic of Peru stated that preparations for the talks have already been completed. Therefore, we hope that in accordance with his statement, the Government of Peru can actually begin direct talks, and that the MRTA also will agree to the commencement of direct talks.

Q: Specifically, what fear does the Government of Japan have about the loud music, etc.?

A: We are concerned that an unexpected incident may impede the actual efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the incident. Therefore, when the direct talks between the Government of Peru and the MRTA start, we understand that both sides need a quiet atmosphere. We hope that the everything will start to go in that direction, e.i., to the commencement of direct talks between the Government and the MRTA.

Q: Has the Peruvian Government been responsive to Japan's request?

A: Whenever we have an opportunity, we communicate clearly with the Government of Peru. On those occasions we have stated clearly that an unexpected incident should not take place. Therefore, these kinds of actions would really impede the efforts of the Government of Peruvian to achieve a peaceful resolution. So, we believe that now is the time to start direct talks between the Government of Peru and the MRTA. Therefore, we hope that these talks will start at an early date.
Comfort women issue
Q: Regarding the comfort women issue and Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama's recent comments, in fact, Prime Minister Hashimoto declined to answer a parliamentary question on whether textbook references to comfort women should be deleted or not. Could you please reiterate the Government's official stance toward the comfort women. Is the Government's official policy that force was used? Secondly, are the textbook changes going ahead as planned, or is there a possibility that indeed this will not be included in the textbooks as some LDP leaders want?

A: Regarding your question on what Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama said, I think I should once again tell you what Prime Minister Hashimoto said to President Kim Young Sam at the last Summit in Beppu. Prime Minister Hashimoto said that the report on Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama's statement was, in fact, not made at his official press conference, but rather was made in an informal statement. This report has caused some concern for relevant people. Prime Minister Hashimoto said that this is not in line with what the Government of Japan is thinking, and he apologized for this. President Kim Young Sam replied that this is a very sensitive issue for the Korean people. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama is the official spokesman for the Cabinet, and -- even if what he said was based on what Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama heard from his colleagues -- the timing of Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama's statement was very unfortunate. His statement shocked the Korean people, and, therefore, the people of Korea need a convincing explanation about this from Japan. Prime Minister Hashimoto replied that Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama presented to some correspondents what he had heard from his colleagues, that when the so-called comfort women worked in Japan we had licensed prostitution. Prime Minister Hashimoto said that the comfort women issue really hurt the honor and dignity of women, and he wholeheartedly apologized when he met with President Kim Yong Sam at Cheju Island, and he reiterated this in their Meeting in Beppu. Prime Minister Hashimoto stated that his personal conviction and the recognitions of the Government of Japan on this issue have not changed since the time of the talks on this issue at Cheju Island.

Q: Could you briefly state what the Government of Japan's current official position on the comfort women is?

A: The statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on 4 August 1993 reads "the Government of Japan has been conducting a study on the issue of wartime "comfort women" since December 1991. I -- the then-Chief Cabinet Secretary -- wish to announce the findings as a result of that study. As a result of the study which indicates that comfort stations were operated in extensive areas for long periods, it is apparent that there existed a great number of comfort women. Comfort stations were operated in response to the request of the military authorities of the day. The then-Japanese military was, directly or indirectly, involved in the establishment and management of the comfort stations and transfer of comfort women. The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to the request of the military. The Government study has revealed that in many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing, coercion, etc., and that, at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitment. They lived in misery at comfort stations under a coercive atmosphere. As to the origin of those comfort women who were transferred to the war areas, excluding those from Japan, those from the Korean Peninsula accounted for a large part. The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese rule in those days, and their recruitment, transfer, control, etc., were conducted generally against their will, through coaxing, coercion, etc. Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of the day, that severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government of Japan would like to take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable pain an incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women. It is incumbent upon us, the Government of Japan, to continue to consider seriously, while listening to the view of learned circles, how best we can express this sentiment." This is the official position of the Government of Japan, and Prime Minister Hashimoto reiterated this at the Summit in Beppu.
Possible visit to Japan next month by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright of the United States
Q: It has been reported that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright of the United States will visit Japan next month and visit with Foreign Minister Ikeda. Do you have specific details on the date and topic of this visit?

A: We know that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright of the United States wants to visit Japan sometime in February. If Japan and the United States can agree on a concrete agenda, we will most certainly welcome her visit to Japan. However, we have got to start to exchanging views on setting a date, etc. We have not yet started to exchange views as to whether or not her visit in February is feasible. But, in any case, we are aware of Secretary of State Albright's desire to come to Japan some time in February, and we certainly welcome her visit. However, an actual date is not worked out yet.

Q: Will their be any specific items on the agenda if she should visit?

A: After Secretary of State Albright's visit is set up, we will work out what Ministry for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda and Secretary of State Albright will talk about. In any case, the United States is the most important ally for Japan, and there are many things to talk about. Foreign Minister Ikeda is very happy to meet Secretary of State Albright at an early date to exchange views not only on bilateral issues, but also on various international issues.
Inclusion of references to the comfort women in Japanese textbooks
Q: I have a question on the textbooks. There is a controversy now where people are trying to delete references to comfort women in Japanese textbooks. Is the Cabinet position that they are moving ahead with the inclusions in the textbooks as planned? [The following answer is an official corrected answer to the above question by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

A: Under the textbook authorization system, non-governmental publishing companies first compile books that, while conforming to the "Gakushu shido yoryo" ("National Curriculum Standards") laid down by the Ministry of Education, also embody their own original ideas and methods. These are then examined by the Ministry of Education to see whether or not they conform to the criteria established by the Ministry; only then are those that meet the requirements authorized as textbooks.
Position of the Government of Japan on the comfort women issue
Q: This remark made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama keeps popping up. Does this mean that there is a consensus among the Cabinet on this issue?

A: I understand that Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama

explained why he touched on that subject the other day. While he tried to explain that he did not intend to hurt the sentiments of the people concerned, at the same time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kajiyama apologized for the statement. At this time, I can assure you that the position of the Government of Japan has not changed at all since the then-Chief Cabinet Secretary stated the Government of Japan's position in 1993. Thank you very much.

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