Press Conference5 October 2001

1. Visits by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea
2. Steps to be implemented in Japan's measures in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States of America
3. Legislation in connection with anti-terrorism special measures
4. Follow-up questions on Prime Minister Koizumi's scheduled visits to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea
5. Questions concerning Japan's assistance for refugees in Pakistan
6. Background briefings on developments in response to the terrorist attacks

1. Visits by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have several announcements to make today. My first announcement is on scheduled visits by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

   Last night it was announced that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi would be visiting Beijing on 8 October where he will meet with President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji of China. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi is planning to visit Seoul on 15 October where he will meet with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea. Both of these trips are one-day trips.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
2. Steps to be implemented in Japan's measures in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States of America

   Mr. Hisaeda: Next, I would like to inform you about Japan's measures in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States of America. You should have some materials before you.

   Since the announcement on 19 September by Prime Minister Koizumi of the seven-point measures in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States, the Government of Japan has undertaken tremendous efforts to determine what specific steps are to be taken. In this context, Japan has decided to provide refugee assistance and emergency economic assistance for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

   Some of these steps were officially decided upon at the Cabinet meeting this morning. The first step is implementation of transport of relief materials for the Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Based on a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Government of Japan will provide tents, blankets and other materials for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. These materials are to be transported to Pakistan by C-130H aircraft of the Air Self-Defense Force. The aircraft are scheduled to leave Komaki Air Base on 6 October, arrive in Pakistan on 9 October and return to Komaki Air Base on 12 October.

   The next item is assistance through international institutions concerning aid for Afghan refugees. On 27 September, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a Donor Alert, stating that in "the worst-case scenario" a total of US$584 million would be needed for humanitarian assistance for the coming six months. In response to that Donor Alert, the Government of Japan has made a decision on the following contribution measures: (1) Japan is prepared to provide up to US$120 million, approximately 20 percent of the total funding requirements requested by UN Secretary-General Annan, with a view to supporting the refugee assistance efforts undertaken by UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations. (2) As part of the above assistance, Japan will initially provide US$6 million, that is, approximately 20 percent of the emergency assistance required for the coming two months that has already been officially requested by the UNHCR.

   Following the announcement on 19 September, the Government of Japan decided to take measures to provide emergency economic assistance to Pakistan on 21 September in the form of 4.7 billion yen, approximately US$40 million, in bilateral assistance, official debt rescheduling, and assistance through international financial institutions. I believe you have the details in the press release and so I will not elaborate further on these measures.

   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)
   
3. Legislation in connection with anti-terrorism special measures

   Mr. Hisaeda: I have a couple of points to make about the Cabinet decisions that were made this morning in relation to legislation for Japan's measures in response to the terrorist attacks. The first of these concerns the so-called Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Bill, and you will find the gist of this new legislation in one of the handouts in front of you. I would like to highlight a couple of points here.

   With regard to the basic principle, you will find it at the bottom of the first page, by this law, "the Government of Japan shall implement cooperation and support activities, search and rescue activities, assistance to affected people". For instance, the content of the first activity, the cooperation and support activities, are shown on the second page, in paragraph 4.1 where it states that, "The contents of material and services that the Self-Defense Forces provide are supply, transportation, repair and maintenance, medical services, communications, airport and seaport operations, and base operations. (Nonetheless, weapons and ammunition shall not be provided. Direct refueling to and repairing of US aircraft that are preparing for departure for combat operations shall not be conducted under this law.)"

   I would like to draw your attention to some points that have been crucial in discussion [of the legislation]. First, at the bottom of the third page, it states that, "This law shall expire two years after its entry into force....however, the law can be extended" when it is [deemed] necessary under certain conditions. In paragraph 7. on the use of weapons, it is stated that, "Members of Self-Defense Forces units may proportionately use weapons when an unavoidable and reasonable cause exists for use of weapons to protect lives and bodies of themselves, those conducting these activities with them or those who have come under their control while implementing the measures".

   Lastly, another Cabinet decision that was made this morning relates to legislation for the protection by Self-Defense Forces units of US bases in Japan. This new legislation is an amendment to the existing Self-Defense Forces Law.

   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)
   
4. Follow-up questions on Prime Minister Koizumi's scheduled visits to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea

   Q: What kind of message does the Prime Minister plan to covey during his visits to Beijing and Seoul?

   Mr. Hisaeda: We expect that the leaders will conduct discussions on bilateral relations and the international situation, especially the situation in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 11 September. I understand that Prime Minister Koizumi has repeatedly expressed his wish to visit China and the Republic of Korea and hold discussions with the leaders of both countries. But I would rather refrain from getting into the details of the agenda items at this moment.

   Q: It seems like scheduling these visits was a little bit difficult: it took a little bit of time, and the announcement came pretty suddenly. Can you tell us the background or the reason why it was difficult?

   Mr. Hisaeda: There might be a difficulty. I remember, on 13 August, Prime Minister Koizumi made a statement in which he expressed his wish to visit these countries. Well, it has been difficult, and particularly so after the terrorist attacks on 11 September; it was not easy for us to arrive on an agreed schedule, on each side. That is what made this announcement seem abrupt to your eyes.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
5. Questions concerning Japan's assistance for refugees in Pakistan

   Q: I would like to ask about the Government's material assistance for refugees. The number of tents and blankets mentioned here appears rather small. Does the Government have any idea to increase the number of tents and blankets to be provided? And second, are there any restrictions for airlines flying over that area? For example, perhaps we have some airlines flying over that area from Africa on their way to Japan?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I am not familiar with present restrictions to flights in or over Afghanistan. But as to your first question, I do not know whether or not the number of tents and blankets announced on this release is sufficient; however, that is our decision for the time being and I am not going to the possibility of further assistance being extended in the future.

   Related Information (Japan-Pakistan Relations)
   
6. Background briefings on developments in response to the terrorist attacks

   Mr. Hisaeda: By the way, yesterday Mr. Kazuyoshi Umemoto, Director of the Policy Coordination Division, conducted a background briefing on our measures in response to the terrorist attacks focusing on the new legislation. We are ready to conduct such background briefings at every important juncture in the coming weeks and thus I would like to extend an invitation to you all for the next such event.

   Related Information (Japan's Measures in Response to the Terrorist Attacks in the United States)