Press Conference 9 November 2001

1. Dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels
2. Travel advice and warnings
3. Follow-up questions on travel advice and warnings
4. Follow up questions on dispatch of MSDF vessels
5. Question concerning a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
6. Question on diplomatic visits by officials from the Middle East
7. Question concerning financial contributions to the United States for the fight against terrorism

1. Dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels

   Deputy Press Secretary Joji Hisaeda: I have one announcement and some comments to make today. Three vessels of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, namely 2 destroyers and a supply ship, departed from Sasebo this morning. As was announced by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, the dispatch of these vessels for information gathering was decided upon during a meeting of the Security Council of Japan held last night.

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2. Travel advice and warnings

   Mr. Hisaeda: In follow up to a question regarding Japanese travel advisory warnings at the last press conference, I would like to take some time to talk about the travel advice and warning system.

   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs department in charge of the system is named the Division for the Protection of Japanese Nationals Overseas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues its travel advice and warnings when it is deemed necessary to do so. There are five levels of security risk: level 1, travel caution; level 2, recommendation to defer any non-essential travel; level 3, recommendation to defer all travel; level 4, departure advice for residents staying for non-essential purposes; and level 5, evacuation advice for all residents.

   The advice and warnings are issued mostly in the case of developing countries. As for industrialized countries such as the United States, we issue information through the Overseas Security Information Center, which belongs to the Division for the Protection of Japanese Nationals Overseas. The difference between this information and the travel advice and warnings is that there are no categories or levels of security risk in the information. In the case of industrialized countries, the reason why we issue only information rather than advice or warnings is that we can expect a certain level of capability on the part of the authorities to maintain public order and security. Also, we can expect a certain level of access to means of transportation in emergencies and sufficient hospitals and emergency hospital facilities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will always seek to issue appropriate and responsible travel advice and warnings.

3. Follow-up questions on travel advice and warnings

   Q: Thank you for your comments. I understand the level 1 to 5 travel advisory system was organized four or five years ago. Currently travel agents call off package tours when there is a level 2 advisory. Fiji, Nepal, and other developing nation destinations normally have many package tours and tourists from Japan. If these tours are stopped then those countries cannot expect Japanese tourists to travel to those countries, and thus this represents some damage to the economies of those countries. The travel agent associations have discussed the issue and last week they handed a statement to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and he in turn tabled the subject at the Vice-Ministers' meeting. The Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should consider this matter. Level 1 to 5 advice and warnings should be targeted to the individual tourist similar to those of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. But the Japanese advisories mix in tourist groups as well; the agencies make their own decision based on that to stop organizing tours. May I have your comment on this?

   Mr. Hisaeda: First of all, I do not wish to comment on specific advice or warnings, because when they are issued there are many factors considered. Perhaps there might be some discussion possible in this regard, but I would like to comment in general that we need to issue appropriate and accurate advice. Secondly, I wish you to understand that the travel advice and warnings issued are worked out from the Government's viewpoint, which will differ from the viewpoint of commercial interests. Finally, it is premature to comment on the matter of the petition to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

   Q: Level 2 travel advisories makes it difficult for travel agents to organize tours: If they are issued, no package tours can be organized for overseas. However, this determination is made by the agents themselves and is not a concern of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please advise the Vice-Minister, when approached by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, not to issue advisories with regard to package tours but rather to individual tourists, and in that way the agents can continue to organize package tours.

   Mr. Hisaeda: Thank you for your comment.

4. Follow up questions on dispatch of MSDF vessels

   Q: On the dispatch of vessels to the Indian Ocean, could you give us details about the timing of their arrival and whether they will visit certain ports in the area?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Yes, the three vessels departed this morning from Sasebo and they will conduct information-gathering activities in the areas between Japan and the Indian Ocean. The Government expects these vessels to return to Japan in approximately two months after completing those activities. With regard to ports of call, I can tell you that the ships will visit certain ports because it will be necessary for them to refuel and take on supplies; but as to where exactly, I do not wish to make any comment as we are currently discussing those visits with the countries concerned.

   Q: Will they be giving any help to the US forces on the high seas?

   Mr. Hisaeda: My understanding is that the objective is information-gathering, and it is also a part of the preparations for the future dispatch of Self-Defense Forces for refugee relief, logistic support for US forces such as transportation and supply of materials, and so on, which are to be conducted under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law.

   Q: Do you have some details on how many members or soldiers are on board the ships?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not have figures at this moment. I will check that for you.

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5. Question concerning a visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

   Q: On another topic, I read some reports that Foreign Minister Tanaka will visit Pakistan. Do you have some details on the objectives of that visit?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I do not have the details at this time, but we are certainly preparing for the possibility of that visit, and we have begun talks with the Government of Pakistan. The purpose of such a visit would be the exchange of views, information, and so on.

   Q: Do you expect more diplomatic activity by the Government in the campaign against terrorism?

   Mr. Hisaeda: Yes, I do. The Government has been doing its utmost to fight terrorism on the diplomatic front, and there is no reason to stop those activities.

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6. Question on diplomatic visits by officials from the Middle East

   Q: I heard there are some visitors from the Middle East, I heard there are some visitors from the Middle East, such as a Minister from Tunisia, as well as the Amir of Qatar, coming to Japan. Do you have any information?

   Mr. Hisaeda: I think there are plans, but I do not have anything I can announce.

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7. Question concerning financial contributions to the United States for the fight against terrorism

   Q: Did Japan make any financial contribution to the US activities in the war in Afghanistan?

   Mr. Hisaeda: No, I do not believe there has been any financial contribution apart from the contribution of US$10 million to the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund and the Twin Towers Fund.

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