Press Conference by the Press Secretary 14 January 2000

1. Announcement on the visit to Southeast Asia of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi
2. Announcement on the visit to Europe of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
3. Questions relating to the visit to Europe of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and issues pertaining to bilateral relations between Japan and Europe
4. The position of the Government of Japan regarding the Mixed Oxide fuel issue
5. Questions relating to the position of the Government of Japan on the Middle East and the exporting of arms
6. Other issues

1. Announcement on the visit to Southeast Asia of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi

   Director Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. Welcome to the second international press briefing for the year 2000. Today, I am in charge of this briefing.

   First of all, I would like to make a brief announcement on two things. Firstly, on the visit of Prime Minister Obuchi to Southeast Asian nations. Approximately one hour ago he wrapped up his visit by appearing at a press conference where he summarized his visit to the three Southeast Asian countries. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce a couple of points which he referred to in his statement.

   He stressed three points: Firstly, that the prosperity and stability of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) is the key for the stability of not only Japan but also the rest of the international community. To this end he said that he is prepared to make further contributions, particularly in the area of easing economic disparity which exists between the newly acceding and original ASEAN members. He also referred to Japan's readiness to provide personnel contributions to the non-economic areas, focusing on the peace and stability process in Southeast Asia.

   The second main point of his statement concerns the Asian economic crisis management, and its follow-ups. In this regard, Japan has provided an economic package amounting to nearly US$80 billion, including Miyazawa Initiative. Prime Minister Obuchi said that he is ready to continue cooperation, including financial services and human capacity building, so that Asia resurges as the world's growth center. He added that this idea would serve the notion of human security.

   The third point relates to the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting. Prime Minister Obuchi hoped that the July Summit will issue an up-beat and forceful message to the rest of the world. The international community is now facing issues including: globalization, information revolutions, widening economic disparities, and conflict prevention. In this sense, to address those issues, all the G8 participating nations should cooperate and discuss how the people of the globe can live in a more stabilized and prosperous world. Prime Minister Obuchi said that during his visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand, he received requests and inputs from the respective leaders of those three countries in response to his explanation of his above-mentioned fundamental stance.

   Related Information (Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's Visit to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand)
   
2. Announcement on the visit to Europe of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono

   Mr. Kawamura: Next, the visit to Europe of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono. Foreign Minister Kono made a policy speech on 13 January at the French Institute of Foreign Relations in Paris, and a summary in English of his statement is available at your desks.

   I will introduce a couple of points of the address. At the start of the new millennium, Japan wanted to send a clear message to Europe, which is undergoing an enormous change, in other words under the globalization wave. Foreign Minister Kono emphasized common ground for the two parties, Japan and Europe, to jointly make endeavors for the betterment of the regions. Foreign Minister Kono introduced three points. Firstly, that Japan and Europe share common values as well as challenges. Secondly, that the two parties as global partners are inseparably linked in relation to security issues. Thirdly, that the two regions are living under globalization and deepening inter-economic dependence.

   It was with respect to those three commonalities that he proposed three action agendas. Firstly, that Japan and Europe should cooperate on the realization of their shared values while respecting cultural diversities. Secondly, that the two regions should strengthen political cooperations, namely on conflict prevention, disarmament, and non-proliferation, as well as the reform of the United Nations. On the third point, he said that Japan and Europe should share the benefits of globalization. In more particular terms, to launch the new round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, as well as to improve assistance to the developing nations.

   Foreign Minister Kono summarized his statement with the words of 'millennium partnership.'

   Those are the introductions of two important events proceeding in Asia on the one hand, and in Europe on the other.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Yohei Kono's Visit Europe)
   
3. Questions relating to the visit to Europe of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono and issues pertaining to bilateral relations between Japan and Europe

   Q: What kind of response did Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono get from the Europeans on the United Nations reform?

   Mr. Kawamura: First he visited the Italian Republic, then the United Kingdom and the French Republic. The common theme was that all three countries showed favorable responses to the Government of Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council. I understand that they reacted quite favorably.

   Q: Was there any suggestion of the size of the Security Council, some dispute over whether there should be 24, 22, or 21 members?

   Mr. Kawamura: Well as far as I understand it, they did not go into such detail, in terms of modality, on how the issue of a permanent seat for the Government of Japan should be resolved.

   Q: When Foreign Minister Kono said we shared common values, particularly in security, what did he have in mind there? Because one of the criticisms in Europe is that it has not played its part in security, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, where Japan has a particular interest. So the commonality seems a little bit far-fetched.

   Mr. Kawamura: Of course each region has its own approach to its particular regional issues. Take for example the Kosovo conflict. Japan is geographically remote from Europe. However, we provided financial contributions, and even personnel contributions to the successful resolution of the issue owing to the fact that not only the Government of Japan, but also the Japanese people - the general public - have a common interest, namely the protection of basic human rights. So the issue is understood in the global context, and the value is universal. Although geographically the regions are apart, for the resolution of those challenges we should be united, and make concerted efforts. He stressed that point.

   Q: Was there any talk about whether there would be some kind of a framework within which Japan would play a role in the global security arrangements?

   Mr. Kawamura: My interpretation is that the process is ongoing. For example, the issue of conflict prevention. That was discussed on the occasion of the Cologne Summit Meeting last year. Now, Japan is filling the chairman's shoes together with the Federal Republic of Germany at the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and we are supposed to continue to discuss it. In that sense, there is a framework for joint work between the two regions.

   Q: Is the partnership between Japan and Europe restricted to the European Union or it could cover former Eastern Europe?

   Mr. Kawamura: We do not intend to exclude or limit the geographical reach of Europe. However, the focal point of Foreign Minister Kono's speech was on the joint work under common grounds between Japan and the European Union. The European Union is evolving with its membership to the east. However, in technical terms, the actual major players or partners for the upcoming concrete interactions between the two regions will inevitably be the current European Union members.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Yohei Kono's Visit Europe)
   
4. The position of the Government of Japan regarding the Mixed Oxide fuel issue

   Q: When Foreign Minister Kono was talking to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook the subject of British nuclear fuels came up. Did he get any assurance from the government that they were taking the appropriate measures to make sure that their confidence had been restored in that area?

   Mr. Kawamura: As I understand it, they exchanged their views on this issue in general terms. Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Robin Cook of the United Kingdom and Great Britain responded that they should take necessary actions so that the current situation, and issues, be addressed.

   Q: What is the position of the Government of Japan with respect to the suspect fuel rods? Does Japan consider that a British responsibility? To take them back, to pay for the transport?

   Mr. Kawamura: Regarding the fuel rods, there are two elements. One is the private company's position, Kansai Electric Power Company's stance. They wish to return it to the United Kingdom. However, regarding the position of the Government of Japan, we are now under consideration and consultation among the related Agencies and Ministries on how to deal with this issue. The transportation of the fuel would require fulfillment of certain conditions of safety, and approval of the neighboring countries. A lot of elements are combined. We are taking cautious steps. At this moment, we have yet to come up with a fixed position.

   Related Information (Japan-U.K. Relations)
   
5. Questions relating to the position of the Government of Japan on the Middle East and the exporting of arms

   Q: Did they discuss the Middle East situation in Europe?

   Mr. Kawamura: To the best of my knowledge they did not devote much of their time in discussing that particular issue. They took the issues in a larger context. Millennium, globalization, G8 and the dialogue between the two regions were the key topics. I do not think that they devoted much time to regional issues.

   Q: Do you have any comment about the news yesterday that two people were arrested for exporting illegal arms-parts to Iran?

   Mr. Kawamura: Yes, the case is now under investigation therefore we refrain from making any specific comments on that. However, if that is proved to be the case, it is very regretful because it is an illegal export of arms against the three principles on arms embargo, as well as the decision of the Government of Japan in 1976. We have a policy not to export arms to any region in the world.

   Q: Are there any exports to the United States of America?

   Mr. Kawamura: Let me come back to you on that question. Let me check.

   Q: There were exports of telescopic lenses as far as I was aware.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
6. Other issues

   Q: Can you clarify a simple point? I went down to Okinawa to look at the preparations, and everywhere there is this beautiful new logo for the Summit, and of course it is eight blobs around the center blob. You and the Japanese media refer to it nicely as G8. Is it a host-nation privilege and courtesy to be able to refer to the G7 plus Russia as a new entity? Is it something that Japan has decided unilaterally, that there is something called G8? I am curious because everywhere else it is called G7 plus Russia.

   Mr. Kawamura: At the initial stage with the entry of the Russian Federation we used to call it G7+1. However, judging from our experiences at the Cologne Summit, we did not in most cases distinguish whether it was G8 or G7. On a customary basis, we have got used to calling it G8 rather than G7+1. So we may continue with that practice.

   Q: I thought it might be a courtesy extended to Moscow, as a partner in a special relationship?

   Mr. Kawamura: Well I do not think that is the case. We do not have any special political intention to elevate the political and diplomatic position of the Government of the Russian Federation, rather just follow practice. That logo represents the eight members equally standing under the motif of sunshine.

   Q: Do you have any information regarding Mr. Sugishima? Have you decided on the office in East Timor?

   Mr. Kawamura: On the first question regarding Mr. Sugishima, there is no new added information. We are still making inquiries about Mr. Sugishima to North Korea. From the standpoint of protection of Japanese nationals abroad, we would like to know under what conditions he is being held. There is no update or change in the situation which I can relate. As for the question concerning East Timor, we have not reached a final confirmation yet.

   Q: Is the date set for the meetings with Foreign Minister Ivanov of Russia?

   Mr. Kawamura: No I do not think so. However, Foreign Minister Kono previously said that he is expecting to have Foreign-Ministerial talks sometime in February, but we have not determined or confirmed a fixed date. Thank you very much.