Special Press Briefing with the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on:

The bilateral talks on the occasion of the funeral service for former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi

Speaker: Mr. Ryuichiro Yamazaki Title: Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations Date: 8 June 2000
Time: 18:00 to 18:40

1. The bilateral talks on the occasion of the funeral service for former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi
2. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's bilateral meeting with President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Republic of the Philippines
3. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Republic of Indonesia
4. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with Prime Minister John Howard of Australia
5. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea
6. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States of America
7. Questions

1. The bilateral talks on the occasion of the funeral service for former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi

   Press Secretary Ryuichiro Yamazaki: Good afternoon. Thank you for coming to this special session of my press conference. I thought it would be timely to give a run-down of several bilateral meetings that took place in the course of today with various dignitaries who have kindly come to Japan to attend the funeral of the late former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

   Starting this morning, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori met with President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Republic of the Philippines and then President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Republic of Indonesia, followed by Prime Minister John Howard of Australia. Initially, President William Jefferson Clinton was next but his plane was about 30 minutes late, so Prime Minister Mori met with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea and then finally with the President of the United States toward midday. Let me just give you a run-down of these five meetings in sequence.

   First of all, all these meetings, of course, were taking place under very tight schedules, so with consecutive interpretation, they ranged from anywhere between ten to fifteen minutes to 30 minutes at the longest. Furtermore, the primary objective of these dignitaries to visit Japan was to attend the funeral, and at the outset of all the bilateral meetings, warm words of condolences were expressed by the dignitaries. It was therefore obvious that the meetings were not befitting to go into any sort of negotiations or take up specific issues. So with that backdrop, I will briefly highlight some of the salient points of each meeting.

   Related Information (Funeral of Former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi)
   
2. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's bilateral meeting with President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Republic of the Philippines

   Mr. Yamazaki: President Estrada told Prime Minister Mori in relation to the upcoming Kyushu-Okinawa Summit that he expected Japan, both as an Asian country and also as chair of the G8 Summit Meeting, to represent the voice of Asia in the deliberations. To this, Prime Minister Mori expressed his intention to take into consideration the various views of Asia, including those of the Philippines, at the G8 Summit.

   In relation to an upcoming meeting to discuss the 24th round of yen loans to the Philippines, President Estrada mentioned that he would appreciate continued assistance from Japan. Prime Minister Mori also reiterated the invitation to President Estrada to make an official visit to Japan and that the timing of such a visit could be mutually coordinated. President Estrada said that he was aware of Prime Minister Mori's slogan of "Rebirth of Japan" and wished him all the best in its pursuit.

   Related Information (Japan-Philippines Relations)
   
3. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Republic of Indonesia

   Mr. Yamazaki: At the meeting with President Wahid, one of the topics was the unfortunate earthquake on the Island of Sumatra. While on the one hand, President Wahid thanked Prime Minister Mori for Japan's dispatching of a survey team and taking immediate measures to help with the disaster relief, he added that the damage arising from this earthquake would persist and looked to Japan for continued assistance in this regard. Prime Minister Mori described the measures that we have taken in follow-up to the fact-finding team, such as dispatching a medical team, as well as providing emergency material aid, such as tents and plastic sheets, amounting to nearly 15 million yen.

   On the question of Aceh, Prime Minister Mori reiterated Japan's basic position that we support the territorial integrity of Indonesia. Finally, in relation to the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit, Prime Minister Mori said that he intended to reflect the voice of Asia in the deliberations.

   Foreign Minister Yohei Kono paid a brief courtesy call on President Wahid and they discussed, among other things, the follow-up to the earthquake and the various measures that Japan was taking, including the medical team.

   Related Information (Japan-Indonesia Relations)
   
4. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with Prime Minister John Howard of Australia

   Mr. Yamazaki: In this meeting, Prime Minister Howard mentioned that the so-called South Pacific Summit, which took place under Prime Minister Mori's chairmanship in April, was a great success and he highly valued Prime Minister Mori's leadership in this regard.

   On the bilateral side, Prime Minister Howard said that for Australia, relations with Japan are historically, economically and strategically very important, and he noted with satisfaction that cultural understanding was mutually deepening. He hoped that with the close dialogue between the two leaders, they could enhance and strengthen this already mature relationship. In response, Prime Minister Mori expressed agreement and noted that it would be very important to also discuss regional issues between the two countries, such as the Indonesian situation and the Korean Peninsula situation, and that he looked forward to further deepening the dialogue at the prime ministerial level, as well as at the ministerial level.

   Concerning the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit, Prime Minister Howard said that he hoped for a strong message on free-trade to come out of the meeting. Prime Minister Mori explained the three key themes of the G8 Summit, namely greater prosperity, deeper peace of mind and greater stability for the 21st century, and strongly hoped that a positive message for the 21st century would be issued as a result of the upcoming G8 Summit.

   Finally, on the Japanese economy, Prime Minister Howard noted that apparently there will be some announcements soon of some promising figures concerning the Japanese economy, and that any recovery of the Japanese economy would be something that Australia would also very much appreciate.

   Related Information (Japan-Australia Relations)
   
5. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Yamazaki: The two leaders had just met earlier last week in Seoul, and Prime Minister Mori thanked President Kim Dae Jung for his hospitality during his own trip, as well as thanking him for coming to the funeral despite the very tight schedule that President Kim Dae Jung must have in preparation for the North-South Summit scheduled next week.

   President Kim Dae Jung mentioned that he had a special feeling of respect and friendship for the late former Prime Minister Obuchi and that it was very sad to have to come to his funeral. President Kim Dae Jung said that he would like, hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Mori, to strive hard for the development and advancement in the bilateral relations between our two countries as well as for the peace and stability of North East Asia, and he expressed his wish to meet each other more frequently. President Kim Dae Jung mentioned that the very fact that he came to the funeral was not only out of his friendship with former Prime Minister Obuchi, but also due to the importance he places upon the bilateral relations between our two countries.

   Prime Minister Mori reiterated his invitation to President Kim Dae Jung to visit Japan at some appropriate time in an informal setting so that they could continue their close dialogue. President Kim Dae Jung thanked Prime Minister Mori for that invitation and also wished him all the best of success for the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit.

   On the bilateral side, Prime Minister Mori also took note of the fact that, based on the foundation that late Prime Minister Obuchi and President Kim Dae Jung had built for promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and the Republic of Korea, things were progressing well and that tomorrow, the Second Japan-Korea Cultural Exchange Conference will be held here in Tokyo. Prime Minister Mori looked forward to meeting with the participants and also noted that Seoul University has started teaching Japanese language and Japanese studies, and that here in Japan, Tokyo University has also started teaching Korean studies. Prime Minister Mori said that this would further enhance the cultural and educational exchanges between our two countries, and President Kim Dae Jung also welcomed this good news.

   In relation to the recent trip of Secretary-General of the Korean Workers' Party Kim Jong Il of North Korea to China, Prime Minister Mori noted that the very fact that it was made public right after the visit itself indicates that, to some degree at least, transparency has increased as compared to before. The very fact that Secretary-General Kim Jong Il has appeared at the forefront of diplomatic activities of North Korea is not a bad thing in itself. Prime Minister Mori expressed expectation that this recent trip of Secretary-General Kim Jong Il to Beijing will also have a good effect on North-South relations. President Kim Dae Jung agreed and hoped that the recent trip to China by Secretary-General Kim Jong Il would have a good effect on the North-South Summit meeting.

   President Kim Dae Jung pointed out that for North Korea, today's most important task was its national security and the revitalization of its economy. In order to attain this, North Korea needed to maintain good relations with the Republic of Korea, Japan and the United States. President Kim Dae Jung said that in the upcoming North-South Summit he would convey this view to Secretary-General Kim Jong Il. He also noted that in order to continue the dialogue with North Korea, you need patience and consistency. Prime Minister Mori replied that President Kim Dae Jung's engagement policy and the very close coordination between Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States have led to the realization of the North-South Summit meeting.

   Although on our side the Japan-North Korea normalization talks have been postponed for the immediate future, Japan has a strong will and eagerness to normalize its relations with North Korea. Prime Minister Mori repeated his request to President Kim Dae Jung, which was first raised in Seoul last week, to convey Japan's eagerness for normalization with North Korea to Secretary-General Kim Jong Il when they meet at the coming Summit. President Kim Dae Jung replied that he would certainly convey Japan's eagerness to the North Korean side. Finally, Prime Minister Mori wished him the best success for the Summit meeting next week.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
6. Prime Minister Mori's bilateral meeting with President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States of America

   Mr. Yamazaki: The meeting with President Clinton covered three areas: (1) bilateral relations in general; (2) the Korean Peninsula; and (3) China.

   After Prime Minister Mori thanked President Clinton for coming all the way to Japan to attend the funeral, he observed that this reflects the friendship on the part of President Clinton toward the late Prime Minister Obuchi as well as to the Japanese people. He expressed his gratitude to President Clinton on behalf of the family of former Prime Minister Obuchi and the Japanese people.

   President Clinton said that it was a great honor to be able to attend the funeral and that he held very high respect for former Prime Minister Obuchi as well as placing very high importance on Japan-US relations and that is why he came to this funeral.

   President Clinton mentioned that according to Ambassador to Japan Thomas S. Foley of the United States of America, when President Clinton comes again next month to Okinawa to attend the G8 Summit, it will be his fifth time in Japan which is about twice the number of times that any United States President has visited Japan during his term. President Clinton mentioned that the key to the stability of the region is Japan-US relations and that there are many things that Japan and the United States must cope with together. He also said that he looks forward to visiting Okinawa in July and wished the best to Prime Minister Mori in the preparation for the G8 Summit.

   Prime Minister Mori replied that the preparation for the G8 Summit is moving steadily ahead and said to President Clinton, as he told him in Washington in early May, that it was very important, not only for the people of Okinawa, but for the people of Japan in general that the President of the United States visits Okinawa. Prime Minister was confident that both the people of Okinawa Prefecture as well as the people of Japan as a whole welcome President Clinton's visit. Prime Minister Mori agreed to what President Clinton said about the importance of Japan-US relations and the need to strengthen the alliance even further.

   President Clinton mentioned that between the two countries there are several issues, such as telecommunications and host-nation support, and at the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit there are the issues such as contagious disease and education that the G8 leaders must take a concerted position on, but mentioned that today was not the occasion to talk about such issues. Prime Minister Mori said that he also believed that both countries should address these issues sincerely and strive for a solution. He added that he has instructed officials on the Japanese side to deal with these issues.

   On the Korean Peninsula situation, Prime Minister Mori mentioned to President Clinton that he had just met with President Kim Dae Jung and understood that President Clinton is meeting with him later this afternoon. This North-South Summit Meeting is the first time that the leaders of the Republic of Korea and North Korea will meet and this is a very important occasion for Japan too. Prime Minister Mori observed that there are major developments occurring on the Korean Peninsula which he welcomes. For instance, he mentioned that the immediate announcement after Kim Jong Il's visit to China may be one of the important developments concerning transparency; a point Prime Minister Mori mentioned earlier to President Kim Dae Jung.

   Furthermore, Prime Minister Mori mentioned the fact that he agreed with the South Koreans about the importance of having very close contact between Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea and, in this regard, valued highly President Clinton's initiative in nominating former Secretary of Defense William Perry of the United States of America to become the coordinator of this very difficult issue and to come up with the Perry Report that has produced the basic direction of the teamwork between our three countries. President Clinton thanked Prime Minister Mori for his statement and agreed that the North-South Summit was extremely important, and also noted that, for the future of the stability of the region, it was very important for North Korea to normalize its relations with countries, such as the Republic of Korea.

   Thirdly, President Clinton said that he would like to touch upon the issue of China joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) because he views this not only from an economic consideration, but also from a security consideration, and it is very important to bring China into the international community as a constructive partner. President Clinton also mentioned that the relations between China and Taiwan are also very important. In response, Prime Minister Mori said that he welcomes the fact that the House of Representatives has passed the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Bill with China and paid respect to President Clinton for his efforts in passing this legislation. Prime Minister Mori agreed with President Clinton about the importance of bringing China into the international community in the way he described. With regard to the relations between China and Taiwan, Mr. Mori hoped the two parties on both sides of the straits would come to a peaceful solution of this issue through dialogue.

   This is the gist of the five meetings that took place. Yesterday, there were some other meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Borisovich Khristenko of the Russian Federation and Vice Premier Qian Qichen of the People's Republic of China. I do not have anything to add, except that with Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko, it was confirmed that President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will come to Japan as planned. Hopefully, they will, very soon, be able to announce a specific schedule for his visit.

   Regarding the meeting with Vice Premier Qian Qichen, the Vice Premier took note of the close relations between Japan and China, including the fact that the three secretary-generals of the three coalition parties had a very successful visit to Beijing and also earlier in May that five thousand Japanese in a cultural exchange group visited China contributing to further friendship. On that occasion, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China also met with the group and gave a very important talk on how to further advance Japan-China relations.

   On the Korea Peninsula situation at the meeting between Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Prime Minister Mori mentioned the fact that we are keenly watching the results of this upcoming North-South Summit meeting and that it is very important for China to be supportive of such dialogue between the Republic of Korea and North Korea. Vice Premier Qian Qichen responded that he agreed that China is supportive of this North-South dialogue although he was uncertain as to what specific results would come out at this present time, but said that he recognized the positive significance that the dialogue itself was taking place and hoped that developments would take place toward moving relations in a positive direction.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
7. Questions

   Q: Did Mr. Clinton make any reference to dropping sanctions against North Korea?

   Mr. Yamazaki: No, none of that talk came up.

   Q: How did you decide on the order of precedence for the list of attendees to the funeral service?

   Mr. Yamazaki: First of all, it was done in a normal protocol order in the sense that Heads of State came first, such as presidents, followed by any Crown Princes and Vice Presidents. Next in the order of protocol would be the Prime Minister level. Next would come the heads of the legislative bodies. After this came the Vice Premier level followed by the Vice Presidents of the legislative body and subsequently by foreign ministers and other Cabinet level members. As for the Heads of State, the protocol order was based on the order of assuming their positions as Head of State. For other special envoys, it was done in alphabetical order.

   Q: Was this done in the Japanese alphabet or the English alphabet?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I think in the English alphabet.

   Just to give you a final count, 83 countries- -- the number of countries that sent a representative from their home country -- three regions and eight international organizations. If you include in addition the ambassadors and other officials stationed here, the total number of those attending the funeral amounts to 153 countries, three regions and 22 organizations.

   Q: Is Taiwan included in these regions?

   Mr. Yamazaki: The regions are Hong Kong, Macau and Palestine.

   Q: So, Taiwan is not included, then?

   Mr. Yamazaki: That is correct.

   Q: How about the security arrangements? I saw a lot of police around the area. What number of police were involved?

   Mr. Yamazaki: I am sorry, but I do not have any information on that.

   Q: Were there any special security arrangements for this funeral?

   Mr. Yamazaki: Yes, that is quite natural. There were traffic regulatory procedures and other measures taken so as not to inconvenience the dignitaries attending. That is the courtesy one must provide during such an event.

   Q: How about Foreign Minister Kono's meetings?

   Mr. Yamazaki: He had very short meetings with several vice ministers and he had dinner with Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen.

   Q: Can you tell me who he met?

   Mr. Yamazaki: Yes, I have a list. Yesterday he met with Vice President Todor Kavaldjiev of the Republic of Bulgaria, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Siazon Domingo of the Republic of the Philippines, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sipakeli Walubita of the Republic of Zambia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lila Ratsifandrihamanana of the Republic of Madagascar, Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communications Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola of the Kingdom of Nepal and Defense Minister George Fernandes of the Republic of India. He paid a courtesy call on President Wahid, which I mentioned earlier, and tonight he is having dinner with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders. Tomorrow afternoon he was scheduled to meet with Head of the President's Office Mohammad Ali Abtahi of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Deputy Prime Minister Cumhur Ersumer of the Republic of Turkey. Thank you very much.