Press Conference by the Press Secretary 7 February 1997

Introduction to the press conference
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: I have no announcements to make at this time, I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Visit to Japan by the Foreign Minister of the State of Israel
Q: Two days ago, a Japanese newspaper reported that the Israeli Foreign Minister would visit Tokyo. Could you confirm this report?

A: I will have to check and get back to you on this.
Damage to Senkaku Island Lighthouse
Q: Regarding damage to the lighthouse on Senkaku Island, what is the Government's position to the allegation from news leaks that it was a Chinese national that caused the damage?

A: A few days ago, the Nihon Seinensha -- the group you are referring to -- visited and consulted the Okinawa Prefectural Police alleging that the lighthouse on Kita Kojima in the Senkaku Islands had been damaged by somebody. We can confirm that the light went out in October of last year. Presently, however, the light is back on. With regard to the last part of your question, we are unaware of any foreign nationalists landing on Kita Kojima before the lighthouse went out.

Q: The evidence shown by Nihon Seinensha is inconclusive. Is it possible that they could be trying to manipulate the media on this issue?

A: I am not going to answer that question directly. I have told you all that I know about this issue. I do not have any further comment on this issue.
Policy of food aid to North Korea
Q: What is the current policy on giving food aid to North Korea?

A: Are you referring to the article that appeared in a Japanese newspaper yesterday?

Q: I think so, yes.

A: Let me tell you that that newspaper article is pure speculation. We have extended assistance and supplied rice to North Korea in the past. Further, in the wake of the floods, we extended assistance to North Korea. These were special and exceptional measures taken from an emergency and humanitarian perspective. Presently, we are not considering giving any further assistance to North Korea.
Investigation of the disappearance of a Niigata girl
Q: Will the kidnapping case in Niigata suspecting North Korean involvement have any bearing on food aid policy?

A: I think you are referring to the disappearance of the young girl some years ago. Regarding this case, all I can say is that it is being investigated by the authorities responsible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be making efforts to gather information on this case.

Q: Do you have any information on other similar cases where it is suspected that Japanese have disappeared, and it is suspected that they were kidnapped and possibly taken to North Korea?

A: I am not saying there are not, but I do not have any factual information in front of me.
Foreign nationals landing on Senkaku Island
Q: You said that the Government was unaware of any foreign nationals landing on the island before the light went off in October last year. Does that mean that your position is that a Chinese national did not damage the lighthouse?

A: Let me repeat what I said. As you know, the Maritime Safety Agency is patrolling the waters of the Senkaku Islands. The Government of Japan is unaware of any foreign nationals having landed on the island before the light went out.
Visit to the United States by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
Q: Can you confirm if Prime Minister Hashimoto is going to the United States in April?

A: All I can say at this moment is that we are now discussing with the Government of the United States Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's visit to the United States, with late April in mind in terms of timing.
Visit to Japan by Vice President Al Gore of the United States
Q: Can you also confirm that Vice President Al Gore of the United States is coming to Japan?

A: I have seen news reports about that. All I can say, is that nothing specific has been decided.
Peaceful resolution to the hostage crisis in Peru
Q: Regarding the hostage crisis, is Japan considering sending any help to the Peruvian Government, for example, sending a police force or experts in order to solve the issue quickly?

A: Did you read the joint press statement issued by the two leaders in Toronto? I will be very glad to provide you with a copy. There has been much talk in the press about the possible use of force to resolve this situation. But, let me underscore the fact that the policy of the Government of Japan and the policy of the Government of Peru is to resolve this incident peacefully and secure the release of all the hostages without yielding to terrorism. We are pursuing a peaceful resolution of the incident without giving in to terrorism. In the press conference that followed the meeting in Toronto, Prime Minister Hashimoto responded to a question stating that President Alberto Fujimori of the Republic of Peru had reaffirmed that he would not resort to the use of force, unless harm was done to the hostages. Prime Minister Hashimoto issued a stern warning to the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) that they should see to it that they do not do any harm to the hostages. Let me repeat what I have already said. The Government of Japan and the Government of Peru are working toward a peaceful resolution to the incident.

Q: You said "unless harm was done," in other words, if harm is done, there are some ways to counter the situation.

A: You must look at the context in which this statement was made. Both leaders are committed to a peaceful resolution of this incident. You should not take that statement out of context. One more thing, this reaffirmation that force will not be used unless the hostages are harmed is a warning to the MRTA that they should not harm the hostages. That is the correct way to read that statement.
Questioning by newspaper reporter of a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs official over securities holdings
Q: Asahi Shimbun said that a former diplomat was involved in a possible scandal, and the Foreign Minister made a comment about this this morning.

A: The most official view of this Ministry is the comment made by the Foreign Minister. We do not know what specific case this Asahi article is referring to. However, there is a case which we believe is the one that the article is referring to. Some days ago, a former member of the Foreign Ministry was asked a question by a newspaper reporter, and this reporter told this former member of the Foreign Ministry that his name was included in a list of VIP account holders from a securities company. According to this member of the Foreign Ministry, this did not ring a bell and he was totally unaware of his name being on the list of VIP account holders. So, he checked with the securities company and was told that this VIP account was in reference to accounts held by clients who were to be treated with special courtesy by the securities company, and that this did not involve any special privileges or benefits for the account holder. In sum, this former member of the Foreign Ministry was totally unaware that his name was on a list of VIP account holders. We believe that there is nothing problematic whatsoever about this, and it is completely untrue that this former member of the Foreign Ministry derived any special benefits from this.
Damage to Senkaku Island Lighthouse
Q: You told me that a few days ago, Japan sent a delegation to the Okinawa Prefectural Police, and so far no investigation has been able to begin regarding this issue.

A: I believe that you have misquoted me. Let me repeat what I said in response to your first question. A few days ago, the Nihon Seinensha approached the Okinawa Prefectural Police for consultations. At this time, they alleged that somebody had damaged the lighthouse on Kita Kojima. That is what I said.

Q: Therefore, the Okinawa Prefectural Police are still not in a position to make any allegations. Is that what I can understand?

A: I think that you are asking questions that you should be asking somebody else. The Foreign Ministry is not the Police nor the Maritime Safety Agency. I have told you everything that the Foreign Ministry can tell you. Thank you very much.

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