Press Conference 10 October 2000

1. Announcement on the situation in the Middle East
2. Announcement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa on food aid to North Korea
3. Attendance of Secretary-General Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the reception marking the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and the People's Republic of China
4. Visit to Japan by Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China
5. Comment on the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership
6. Follow-up questions on Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Japan
7. Question on negotiations between Japan and North Korea

1. Announcement on the situation in the Middle East

   Press Secretary Ryuichiro Yamazaki: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have several announcements at the outset. My first announcement concerns the present situation in the Middle East. I would like to give you the following statement.

   The Government of Japan is gravely concerned by the fact that the clashes between the Israelis and the Palestinians have been continuing for almost two weeks, not only causing further casualties but also spreading over a wider area. Japan condemns any act of provocation, any form of violence and excessive use of arms. Japan strongly urges once again all the parties concerned to immediately halt the violence and to cope with the situation with maximum self-restraint.

   Japan underlines once more that a negotiated peace is the only realistic option and strongly hopes that, as a first step toward this end, the parties will work out a ceasefire as soon as possible.

   Japan is ready to extend any possible assistance to the parties concerned for their efforts to settle the current situation and to achieve peace through negotiations. In consideration of the heavy casualties on the part of the Palestinians, mostly civilians, caused as a result of the recent clashes, the Government of Japan decided on 5 October to provide the Palestinian Authority emergency medical aid of US$500,000. The Government of Japan hopes that this assistance will be of assistance in treating the injured.

   Related Information (Crisis in the Middle East Peace Process)
   
2. Announcement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa on food aid to North Korea

   Mr. Yamazaki: I would like to read out the announcement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa on food aid to North Korea announced late last Friday afternoon, because this statement illustrates the thinking behind Japan's decision to render food aid to North Korea.

   Since Japan decided on food aid to North Korea in March this year, the North-South dialogue and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula have been showing rapid progress, especially after the historic North-South summit meeting in June. A new trend is being born for the first time since the Korean Peninsula was divided into north and south, a trend that includes increasing contact by North Korea with the international community, including its participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The United States of America, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation and other countries concerned are also promoting active diplomacy with North Korea. Dynamic developments can be seen between the United States and North Korea, such as the visit to the United States by the highest-ranking military official on 9 October, General Cho Myon Pok, as the special envoy of General Secretary Kim Jong Il of the Korean Workers' Party of North Korea.

   Given these developments, Japan, having great interest in the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, is convinced that playing a befitting role in response to the expectations of the international community for making this positive trend more certain is in our own national interest, and accordingly the Government of Japan has tenaciously endeavored to improve relations with North Korea while closely collaborating with the Republic of Korea and the United States. And with regard to Japan-North Korea relations, certain progress has been seen, such as the resumption of talks to normalize diplomatic relations after a seven and a half year hiatus, and the resumption after two and a half years of the homecoming of Japanese wives.

   The Government of Japan has been studying the possibility of rendering food aid to North Korea since the World Food Programme's (WFP) announcements of 15 September and 28 September. The Government has decided to render food aid through the WFP to North Korea, which still faces a serious food shortage, from the broad perspective of pushing forward the above-mentioned positive trend in addition to the humanitarian viewpoint. I, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, have instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to take appropriate measures promptly.

   In concrete terms, the Government of Japan will render food aid of 500,000 tons through this year and into next year to contribute to the WFP FY2001 "Emergency Assistance Activities," which will be decided at the end of this year, in addition to the current "Emergency Assistance Activities," which started from July 1999 and have been extended to the end of this year.

   According to the WFP, it is virtually certain that another 300,000 tons need to be added to the current program, and the next program will be on a scale of more than 580,000 tons greater than the current one, taking into account the seriousness of the damage from this year's drought and typhoon. Under such circumstances and taking various factors into overall consideration, the Government of Japan judges it appropriate that Japan, with the capacity to assist, shares a substantial portion of the amount needed.

   The Government of Japan fully understands that there is harsh opinion among the general public and also within the ruling parties against food assistance to North Korea, in particular due to the abduction issue. As mentioned above, however, the Government of Japan has now come to this decision to render food assistance from a broader perspective, to improve relations with North Korea and to maintain peace and stability in the region, given the historic new developments on the Korean Peninsula.

   The Government of Japan has been making it clear that the abduction issue cannot be avoided before normalizing diplomatic relations with North Korea, and there is no change in this position. The Government of Japan is determined to continue making serious and tenacious efforts to solve the various issues existing between Japan and North Korea, including the above-mentioned issue.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
3. Attendance of Secretary-General Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the reception marking the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and the People's Republic of China

   Mr. Yamazaki: The three Secretary-Generals of the ruling parties, Secretary-General Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Secretary-General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of the Komeito Party, and Secretary-General Takeshi Noda of the Conservative Party, visited China over the weekend. Secretary-General Nonaka represented the Government of Japan at the reception to commemorate the 20th year of economic cooperation between Japan and China, hosted by the Government of the People's Republic of China. Secretary-General Nonaka also met with Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji and other leaders of the People's Republic of China on 8 October.

   The impression that Secretary-General Nonaka gained on this trip is that the Chinese side has a very strong eagerness to further promote friendship between our two countries. At the commemorative reception, Secretary-General Nonaka could sense the heartfelt feelings of gratitude held by the Chinese side for the economic cooperation rendered by Japan over the last twenty years, having helped in China's nation building. A strong expectation for Japan's continued economic cooperation was also shown by the Chinese side. Furthermore, the objectives of making the upcoming visit to Japan by Premier Zhu Rongji a success and further promoting bilateral friendship were reconfirmed.

   When Secretary-General Nonaka met with Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji, Premier Zhu Rongji himself expressed appreciation for the economic cooperation of Japan and how it helped China's reform and open door policy. The trip certainly provided a strong impetus for promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation toward the 21st century. Premier Zhu Rongji also mentioned that he would strengthen public relations efforts vis-à-vis appreciating Japan's official development assistance (ODA) to China.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
   
4. Visit to Japan by Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China

   Mr. Yamazaki: This next announcement is also in relation to China. Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji arrives in Japan on 12 October. On 13 October Premier Zhu Rongji will meet with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Premier Zhu Rongji will then depart Japan from Kansai International Airport on 17 October.

   This visit by Premier Zhu Rongji is very important in the promotion of overall bilateral relations between Japan and China. When President Jiang Zemin visited Japan in 1998, our two countries announced 33 items of cooperation. When former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi visited China last year, discussions were held on how to further promote activities in these 33 items. Now with the upcoming visit of Premier Zhu Rongji there will certainly be discussions pertaining to many of those 33 items.

   Overall, there are three aspects of the meeting that I can outline for you, including the one that I just touched upon. The first aspect is the promotion of a partnership of friendship and cooperation for peace and development. In this regard, the two leaders will reconfirm their mutual understanding and trust, and the importance of these two elements for promoting bilateral relations between our countries. The second aspect is, as I alluded to earlier, a review of the progress in the 33 items for cooperation already identified, including discussions on how to further contribute to progress in those areas. Lastly, the leaders will touch upon global issues and issues pertaining to stability and development in the Asian region.

   In summary, this is Japan-China relations in a global context as we join forces in further promoting our bilateral relations in the immediate bilateral context and also in the regional and global contexts. I hope to be able to give you a debriefing on the meeting on Friday afternoon after it takes place.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and Mrs. Zhu Rongji)
   
5. Comment on the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership

   Mr. Yamazaki: I have one final comment. At my last news conference I distributed the Joint Study Report on the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership. Today, after the regular Cabinet meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono chaired a meeting of the ministers of seven ministries related to this agreement. At this meeting it was confirmed that the Government follows up along the lines recommended by the Joint Study Report. Based on the consensus achieved at the meeting, Foreign Minister Kono will first report to Prime Minister Mori, and then the relevant officials will be given the task of considering how to actually follow up the substance of the Joint Report. The ministers that attended the meeting agreed that this was an important report and that it should be given due acknowledgement.

   Related Information (Japan-Singapore Relations)
   
6. Follow-up questions on Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Japan

   Q: The Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has said to Japanese press in Beijing that China will no longer talk of Japan's wartime atrocities and he expects that Japan will come to terms with its past. Are you satisfied with this? Do you have any comment?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I have not confirmed what has been reported; I have only seen insubstantial news reports. The Government looks forward to the bilateral meeting on Friday in which we hope to further promote our bilateral relations. We will be listening closely to whatever Premier Zhu Rongji has in mind for promoting the bilateral relationship. We hope that the meeting will be very productive and constructive.

   Q: Can you tell us if the whole question of ODA to China is under review? Some say that China has enough cash of its own to finance its own economic development, but it is using its money to modernize its military because Japanese ODA is taking care of its economic development. What are your comments on that?

   Mr. Yamazaki: There are various opinions on the issue in Japan. In answer to your question on the review of ODA, an informal gathering looking at ODA policy toward several countries is not something very new. We have been holding several informal meetings, getting outside opinion on how to review ODA policy toward several countries, including China. This should not be seen in a sensational way; this is a review policy that we have on ODA per se.

   As to the latter part of your question, as I said earlier, we appreciate the fact that the Chinese held a reception to commemorate the economic cooperation that Japan has extended. They showed their gratitude in a very explicit way. For instance, in security dialogue we have the issue of transparency. It will be in China's interest too, for confidence building. And it is in the interests of all countries to be as transparent as possible in their defense policy and defense budget. Those issues are dealt within a security dialogue context. If we have some issues that we would like to discuss with China, we will do it in a very frank and cordial way. We are on talking terms on all issues. We expect a very productive meeting between Prime Minister Mori and Premier Zhu Rongji.

   Q: During the visit, will the talks cover the security situation in Asia, including Southeast Asia?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I said that there would be talks pertaining to the international situation, that is all I can say at the present time. After the meeting I will be able to give you more substance as to what is covered.

   Q: How about the Korean issue?

   Mr. Yamazaki: Here again, I referred earlier to discussions on the international situation, including regional issues. I understand that you want to write about the meeting before it takes place, but I will be able to brief you after it takes place. I am glad that you have interest in Premier Zhu Rongji's visit, because it deserves such interest.

   Q: You do not expect any specific point coming out of this meeting?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I do not want to preempt the meeting. I placed this meeting in the whole context of our bilateral relations, as probably one of the most important events taking place this year in our bilateral relationship with China. In my announcement, I went back to 1998. Since that year we have been having these mutual visits at that level. I am sure that this will be a very productive and constructive meeting. Let us be patient until after the meeting is over and then, upon hearing my debriefing, it will be up to you to judge its value. Prime Minister Zhu Rongji will be meeting Japanese economic and business leaders as well as visiting various parts of Japan. We hope he can deepen his understanding of Japan during his six-day stay.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and Mrs. Zhu Rongji)
   
7. Question on negotiations between Japan and North Korea

   Q: On Japan-North Korea relations, do you have nay idea when and where the third round of negotiations will be held?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I cannot give you any information on that at this present time.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)