Press Conference by the Press Secretary 9 July, 1999

1. Announcement on the Visit to Japan of Prime Minister John Howard of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs. Janette Howard
2. Japan-Australia agricultural issues within the context of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations
3. Other specific proposals for the WTO outlined in the Japan-Australia Summit Meeting
4. Japan-Australia cooperation in East Timor
5. Objectives of Japan in regard to the visit of Prime Minister Howard
6. Objectives of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's visit to the People's Republic of China
7. Japan-People's Republic of China relations concerning the Korean Peninsula issue

1. Announcement on the Visit to Japan of Prime Minister John Howard of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs. Janette Howard

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I would like to initiate by making a comment on the Official Visit to Japan of Prime Minister John Howard of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs. Janette Howard, although they are now visiting Osaka Castle and have not yet finished their visit. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Prime Minister Howard held the second regular Summit Meeting on Tuesday 6 July, following the first Summit Meeting held on the occasion of the APEC Summit in Kuala Lumpur last November. At the meeting, the two leaders had frank, friendly and constructive exchange of views on the future vision of the Japan-Australia cooperation for the 21st century in bilateral, Asia-Pacific and international areas. They confirmed that Japan and Australia had become real partners in the Asia-Pacific region, and agreed to further strengthen their cooperative relationship as global partners. Furthermore, just after the Summit talks between the two Prime Ministers, a Japan-Australia joint statement on electronic commerce was announced. This statement provides a means to be taken by both governments to promote the growth and development of electronic commerce. They also agreed to cooperate to realize the project of launching an Australian satellite using a Japanese rocket, and the idea of holding a Japan-Australia millennium conference proposed by Prime Minister Howard. This project and idea would symbolize Japan-Australia cooperation in the 21st century.

   As for the Asia-Pacific issues, they exchanged views mainly on the Republic of Indonesia and East Timor. Prime Minister Obuchi agreed to cooperate to hold a conference to promote international investment in the Indonesian economy. The conference was also proposed by Prime Minister Howard. On East Timor, they agreed on the importance of the local security there and agreed to cooperate for the smooth activities of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). Both leaders recognized the importance of the reform of the United Nations. They agreed to cooperate in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

   All in all, I think we can make an assessment that the visit of Prime Minister Howard to Japan has provided a solid base to enhance the bilateral relationship from a regional partnership in the Asia-Pacific region to a global partnership, and also strengthen the personal relationship of mutual trust between Prime Minister Obuchi and Prime Minister Howard.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by the Honorable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia)
   
2. Japan-Australia agricultural issues within the context of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations

   Q: During Mr. Howard's first speech in Tokyo on Tuesday to business leaders, he spoke in quite strong terms about the agricultural relationship and the opening up of agricultural markets. Did he take that subject further in the talks with Mr. Obuchi?

   Mr. Harada: Prime Minister Obuchi explained our basic position on agriculture, which is going to be the agenda of WTO negotiations, and in response to that Prime Minister Howard just briefly responded that on the new round of negotiations, Japan and Australia stand in the same position, that the negotiations should be comprehensive negotiations. He did not go into details.

   Q: Did Mr. Obuchi raise multi-functionality in that context?

   Mr. Harada: Prime Minister Obuchi said that in the new round of negotiations, in addition to built-in agenda, industrial tariffs, investment rules and others should be included and make the negotiations comprehensive.

   Q: Would you typify the discussions between the two prime ministers as shifting anything forward or is it more clarifying the issues between the two people?

   Mr. Harada: I think the more future-oriented and positive one. As I told you, Prime Minister Howard made proposals for the bilateral cooperation and Prime Minister Obuchi positively responded to these proposals.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by the Honorable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia)
   
3. Other specific proposals for the WTO outlined in the Japan-Australia Summit Meeting

   Q: In terms of the WTO round, further than agreeing on the commonality of the idea between Japan and Australia, were there any other specific proposals the two leaders discussed?

   Mr. Harada: Not on the substance of the WTO negotiations, but Prime Minister Howard said that at the APEC Summit Meeting in Auckland, the leaders should send a message on the new round of negotiations.

   Q: Did Mr. Obuchi respond at that point?

   Mr. Harada: Prime Minister Obuchi said that it would be very important for the APEC Summit Meeting to demonstrate strong support for the preparations for the new round of negotiations under way.

   Q: Was there any specific discussion on either rice or Southern Blue Fin tuna fish?

   Mr. Harada: No.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by the Honorable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia)
   
4. Japan-Australia cooperation in East Timor

   Q: In relation to the discussions on East Timor, was there any talk about the form that the involvement of Japan and Australia could take, regarding perhaps peacekeeping forces, the provision of infrastructure, etc.?

   Mr. Harada: Not in concrete terms, but rather in general terms as I have already said. Prime Minister Obuchi said that Japan would like to maintain a cooperative relationship with Australia to ensure the smooth activities of UNAMET.

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5. Objectives of Japan in regard to the visit of Prime Minister Howard

   Q: Prior to Mr. Howard's visit, what were the targets that the Japanese side hoped to achieve? What did you hope to gain from the meetings?

   Mr. Harada: I think if you read the report of my last press conference, I mentioned exactly the objectives which I just said as the results of this visit, that is to enhance the regional partnership to a global partnership and also strengthen the personal relationship of mutual trust between the two prime ministers, and as I told you, I think that these objectives have been achieved successfully.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by the Honorable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia)
   
6. Objectives of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's visit to the People's Republic of China

   Q: On the China visit, are you going to give a detailed briefing?

   Mr. Harada: I have only limited feedback. The luncheon hosted by President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China is now going on.

   Q: What are your objectives for the China visit?

   Mr. Harada: Based upon the fact that the Japan-China relationship has entered into a new stage following President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan last year, we would like the Prime Minister Obuchi visit to further strengthen the friendly relationship which will make the base of the bilateral relationship in the new century. More concretely, at the end of the President Jiang Zemin visit last year, both sides agreed on the cooperation in 33 areas. During the Summit Meeting this time, both leaders will review the implementation of the cooperation in wide-ranging areas and discuss their future direction. In addition to the bilateral relations, I am sure that the two leaders would discuss the international issues of mutual interest.

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7. Japan-People's Republic of China relations concerning the Korean Peninsula issue

   Q: Given China's relationship with North Korea, what sort of talks have taken place on this issue?

   Mr. Harada: I have got not the whole picture, but just a piece of information about the meeting with Prime Minister Zhu Rhonji of the People's Republic of China in a small group. The meeting is composed of two parts, the first is in a small group and the second in a large group. As for the Korean Peninsula, Prime Minister Obuchi said that Japan attached importance to deterring North Korea from launching missiles, and also to humanitarian issues, including abduction cases. He asked for Chinese cooperation in this regard. In response to that Prime Minister Zhu Rhonji said that China had been making efforts for peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and would continue to do what they could. He also said he would welcome if the United States, Japan and the European Union (EU) would normalize their relationships with North Korea. Prime Minister Zhu Rhonji went on to say that any party concerned should not do anything which would run counter to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)