Press Conference by the Press Secretary 21 February 1997

Press Conference Announcements
1. Death of His Excellency Deng Xiaoping of the People's Republic of China
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Early yesterday morning, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto released a statement in which he expressed his deep grief at the loss of His Excellency Deng Xiaoping of the People's Republic of China. In this statement, Prime Minister Hashimoto also Xiaoping underscored the great contributions that His Excellency Deng made to the modernization of China and to the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and China. We have made the full text of this statement available to you.
2. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs David Levy of the State of Israel
  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Levy of the State of Israel will be visiting Japan from 26 February to 2 March as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Levy will be meeting with Japanese dignitaries during his visit to Japan, and, more specifically, he will be exchanging views on the current situation in the Middle East peace process. We also expect that he will be discussing the Japan-Israel bilateral relationship. This is the first official visit by an Israeli cabinet minister since the establishment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Government in June, last year. During his stay, Foreign Minister Levy will be having talks with his counterpart Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukihiko Ikeda. He will be received in audience by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and he will also be paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hashimoto. Those are the announcements that I wanted to make, and I will be delighted to respond to any questions that you might have.
Japan's foreign policy on the People's Republic of China
Q: Will Japan's foreign policy toward China change due to the death of Mr. Deng Xiaoping?

A: No, it will not. I believe you have the statement by Prime Minister Hashimoto. In this statement, Prime Minister Hashimoto states that good relations between Japan and China are becoming increasingly important for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and for the whole world. He says that he intends to continue to make even greater efforts in cooperation with Chinese leaders to achieve the stable development of friendly relations between Japan and China over the long term. More specifically, there will be no change in the Japanese policy to seek the continued development of friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries based on the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972 and the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1978. We are confident that good ties in both the public and private sectors will continue to develop across the board, e.i., politically, economically and culturally. Mr. Deng played a leading role in the modernization of China based on his reform and open-door policies. We believe that these basic policies will be carried on. Japan will continue to support these reform and open-door policies.

Q: In the post-Deng Era transitional period, what is the broader implication of overall security in the region due to Mr. Deng's death? Do you expect or fear any unexpected security issues to arise during this period?

A: My answer to your two questions are the same. Mr. Deng played a leading role in moving forward China's modernization based on reform and open-door policies. At the same time, we believe that his departure had already been factored in by the Chinese leadership and thorough and meticulous preparations were already being made for the establishment of the post-Deng Xiaoping Regime. Therefore, we do not expect any major upheavals to occur in China. With regard to the reform and open-door policy, it is true that there have been twists and turns along the way, but these policies have been successful in bringing about economic development and a higher standard of living in China. We believe that these policies have the support of the Chinese people. Therefore, we expect that these policies will be carried on by the Government of China. The transfer of power from Mr. Deng to President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China was effected some time ago, and thorough preparations have been made for the post-Deng Era. In September 1994, at the Fourth Party Congress, President Jiang was officially confirmed as Mr. Deng's successor. We believe that the collective leadership headed by President Jiang will continue to run the country.
Middle East issues
Q: I would like to know the position of the Government of Japan concerning the current situation in the Middle East, especially regarding the resettlement of occupied areas.

A: It is Japan's policy to support the agreements thus far reached between Israel and Palestine. We are hopeful that the agreements will be fully implemented, and that the final status negotiations will move forward. With regard to the question of settlements, we have been calling on Israel to refrain from taking actions that might undermine the process. We believe that the question of settlements should be dealt with in the final status negotiations.
Detention of suspected Japanese Red Army members in the Republic of Lebanon
Q: Has Japan officially demanded the extradition of the suspected five Red Army members from Lebanon?

A: Very little has happened since last Tuesday's press conference. Let me review the most recent information. We were informed by Lebanese authorities that they had detained a number of people whom they believe are Japanese. These individuals have not been identified yet. Efforts are being made by the Lebanese authorities to identify these people. To date, we do not know the identities or the nationalities of these individuals. We have already requested that the Government of Lebanon give custody of these individuals to Japan if it is confirmed that these individuals are members of the Japanese Red Army, or if they are suspected of having broken Japanese laws.
Grant-in-aid to the People's Republic of China
Q: What is the next step in providing grant-in-aid to China?

A: We are making preparation for the resumption of grant- in-aid to China. Once these preparations are over, we will be consulting the ruling political parties.

Q: Is there any schedule as to when the decision will occur?

A: We do not have any specific schedule. We are now in the process of preparing for the resumption of aid. That is where matters currently stand.

Q: Is the death of Mr. Deng going to affect grant-in-aid to China?

A: These preparations for grant assistance started before the news of Mr. Deng's death and are continuing. Thank you very much.

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