Press Conference by the Press Secretary 22 June, 1999

1. G8 Summit in Cologne
2. EU-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement
3. Implementation of peace in Kosovo
4. G8 Summit Statement on Kashmir
5. Comment on theAsahi Shimbunreport on a Chinese research ship in Japanese waters

1. G8 Summit in Cologne

   Deputy Press Secretary Masaki Okada: Good afternoon. I have two topics to take up at first. The first one is the G8 Summit Meeting. At the G8 Summit held in Cologne from 18 to 20 June, the leaders had lively discussions on such important subjects as the stability of the world economy, the international framework to effectively tackle regional conflicts, nuclear non-proliferation and so on. On this occasion, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi had bilateral talks with leaders from the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the Federal Republic of Germany and Canada. At the Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Obuchi first took up the issue of the Japanese economy. He expressed his firm determination to achieve plus-sum growth this fiscal year. He also explained, among other things, that he had decided to compile a supplementary budget exceeding 500 billion yen to cope with the unemployment problem. The 500 billion yen is in addition to the 1 trillion yen which is already incorporated in the original budget for this year. Prime Minister Obuchi received high evaluations and expectations for this explanation from the other leaders.

   Secondly, as for international economic affairs, Prime Minister Obuchi explained his understanding on the participation of developing countries in reforming the international monetary system. There would be fair burden sharing among the donors regarding debt relief of the highly indebted poor countries. Other important topics the Prime Minister referred to were the importance of the new round of negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the accession of the People's Republic of China to the WTO, and education in the age of globalization.

   Thirdly, concerning global political affairs, the Prime Minister put forth the thinking of the Government of Japan on such issues as Japan's active contribution to the Kosovo issue, Security Council reform to strengthen the capability of the United Nations in dispute settlement, strengthening of the non-proliferation and disarmament regime, the North Korean missile issue, and the importance of the G8 in building a new order. The Prime Minister invited the other leaders to next year's summit in Japan. This invitation was accepted by the leaders; thus, the so-called Kyushu-Okinawa Summit was formally agreed upon.

   Related Information (Cologne Summit)
   
2. EU-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement

   Deputy Press Secretary Masaki Okada: My second topic relates to the EU-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the delegations, both of Japan and the European Union (EU), agreement was recently reached on the main elements of an EU-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement. Prime Minister Obuchi and the leaders of the European Union welcomed this agreement at their regular meeting in Cologne on 20 June. They stressed the need to finalize the remaining work expeditiously. The purpose of this agreement is to promote trade between Japan and the European Union by mutually recognizing conformity assessment in the sectors of electrical appliances, telecommunications equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This Agreement is the first mutual recognition agreement for Japan, as well as the first substantial international agreement between Japan and the European Union. We expect this will open a new perspective for cooperation between Japan and the European Union.

   Related Information (Japan-EU Relations)
   
3. Implementation of peace in Kosovo

   Q: Concerning the G8 Summit, you mentioned before that the leaders discussed different topics on the international scene, including Kosovo. I would like to know from you what Mr. Obuchi told the leaders regarding Japan's participation in rebuilding Kosovo. What kind of contribution are they going to make in finance, rebuilding and restoration? Are they going to make any other contribution to settling the Kosovo crisis?

   Mr. Okada: I think the issue of Kosovo was handled at the Working Dinner on 18 June. Prime Minister Obuchi underlined the unity of the G8 countries in realizing peace in the Kosovo areas. He particularly mentioned the mediation under the guidance of President Boris Yeltsin of the Russian Federation. Prime Minister Obuchi also stressed that in the implementation process of peace, the maintenance of this unity of the G8 countries and the initiative of the G8 are important. We will be involved in this issue as Kosovo has international implications. First, we think in order to solve conflicts or prevent other conflicts like the Kosovo crisis, reform of the UN Security Council is urgently necessary. We would like to tackle UN Security Council reform in the coming Millennium Summit of the United Nations. We also think constructive engagement of People's Republic of China is necessary and important for the stability and development of the world. Therefore, we would like to cooperate with and make efforts vis-á-vis other countries to wipe out the concern of China.

   As for the implementation of peace in Kosovo, first of all, we think that a consultative group or a steering committee should be established with the G8 as the main pillar. We are willing to contribute within that context. We are ready to contribute by way of sending personnel to responsive posts in the civil presence in Kosovo. Secondly, we are going to participate in the restoration efforts of Kosovo. We are also going to participate with other countries in the restoration process of Kosovo. We have already announced investing a total of US$200 million, not only for the support of refugees in the neighboring countries, but also for the homecoming of the refugees and the restoration of Kosovo. Taking into account development in the future, we are going to examine what additional contribution is needed from us. In this context, we are going to send a mission to Kosovo to investigate the situation in the Kosovo areas. This means that we are going to work within the context of decision making, in particular in the civil presence in Kosovo. We would like to be involved not only in terms of financial contributions, but also in terms of personnel. Regarding financial contribution, we are going to further examine the necessity and the possibility of doing so.

   Q: Will these delegations go to Kosovo to investigate in the near future?

   Mr. Okada: Presumably, it will be in the near future, but we have not officially decided yet. We are now examining the possibilities. There was a recent delegation to the neighboring countries led by the Director of the Central and East Europe Division Yoshitaka Akimoto a few months ago. It will be similar to that one.

4. G8 Summit Statement on Kashmir

   Q: How do you evaluate the G8 Summit Statement on Kashmir regarding how infiltration across the line of control is blamed for the present fighting in that area?

   Mr. Okada: I have nothing to add or subtract from the text of the G8 Statement on regional issues. You just read out that we are deeply concerned about the continuing situation in Kashmir following the infiltration of armed intruders who violated the line of control. We share this understanding with the other G8 countries.

   Related Information (Cologne Summit)
   
5. Comment on theAsahi Shimbunreport on a Chinese research ship in Japanese waters

   Q: Can you comment on theAsahi Shimbunreport yesterday that Chinese military and research ships regularly come into waters around Senkaku Island?

   Mr. Okada: I understand that scientific research ships come over to the exclusive economic zones of Japan. They say that they are undertaking research. We have been appealing to the Chinese authorities not to undertake such activities in the Japanese exclusive economic zones. We are discussing these topics with the Chinese authorities.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)