Press Conference 13 March 2001

1. Announcement of the visit to Japan of His Excellency President Jorge Luis Batlle of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Mrs. Batlle
2. Announcement of emergency assistance for flood disaster to the Republic of Mozambique
3. Announcement of emergency aid for the Colombian refugees and displaced people in the Republic of Colombia
4. Announcement of the visit to Japan of Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta of the East Timor Transitional Authority
5. Questions on the agenda for the summit meeting between Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President George W. Bush of the United States of America

1. Announcement of the visit to Japan of His Excellency President Jorge Luis Batlle of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Mrs. Batlle

   Press Secretary Norio Hattori: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have several announcements to make at the outset.

   His Excellency President Jorge Luis Batlle of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Mrs. Batlle, accompanied by a suite, will pay an official working visit to Japan from 15 to 19 April.

   During their stay in Japan, President Batlle and Mrs. Batlle will make a State Call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan.

   President Batlle will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

   Prime Minister Mori and Mrs. Mori will host a dinner in honor of President Batlle and Mrs. Batlle.

   Related Information (Japan-Uruguay Relations)
   
2. Announcement of emergency assistance for flood disaster to the Republic of Mozambique

   Mr. Hattori: On 9 March, the Government of Japan decided to extend grant aid of US$200,000 and emergency assistance in kind equivalent to about 30 million yen, including tents, blankets, generators, and water purifiers, to the Republic of Mozambique, which has sustained great damage from flooding.

   Please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press releaseon this item for more detailed information.

   Related Information (Japan-Mozambique Relations)
   
3. Announcement of emergency aid for the Colombian refugees and displaced people in the Republic of Colombia

   Mr. Hattori: On 13 March, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency grant aid totaling US$1.18 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and others to relieve the plight of the Colombian refugees and internally displaced people in the country.

   Please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press releaseon this item for more detailed information.

   Related Information (Japan-Colombia Relations)
   
4. Announcement of the visit to Japan of Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta of the East Timor Transitional Authority

   Mr. Hattori: From 14 to 18 March, Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta of the East Timor Transitional Authority will visit Japan on the invitation of the Government of Japan. During his stay in Japan he will meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono as well as officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and others.

   Related Information (Timor-Leste Situation)
   
5. Questions on the agenda for the summit meeting between Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and President George W. Bush of the United States of America

   Q: Last week the US and Japanese Governments formally announced Prime Minister Mori's visit to Washington for a one-on-one with President George W. Bush. Right now, I am sure some of the items to be taken up as agenda of this one-on-one bilateral have been decided. I am particularly interested in economic items. What are they going to discuss? Are they going to talk about trade issues, such as trade and economic issues from the Japanese side? Perhaps Prime Minister Mori might say something like Japan is making its best effort at economic recovery? Is he going to explain as part of this last week's stimulus package assembled by the coalition government?

   Mr. Hattori: Both governments are working closely to fix first of all the agenda between the two leaders, and I understand that the whole picture of the agenda is not yet in sight.

   Of course, since both the Japanese and American economies are facing a difficult phase, I think there will be explanations and exchanges of views from both sides in order for us to overcome the difficulties facing both of our governments.

   As you said, it may be possible for us to explain the last stimulus package for the Japanese economy.

   Q: The US side will probably express some concerns about the trade imbalance that exists between the two countries. If President Bush expresses such a concern, what will be Prime Minister Mori's reply?

   Mr. Hattori: As I said, the agenda between the two leaders has not yet been decided, so I am not in a position at this juncture to get into the details about the question you have raised.

   Q: So you cannot go any further than that?

   Mr. Hattori: No, I cannot go any further.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)