Press Conference 8 May 2001

1. Presentation of the Diplomatic Bluebook 2001
2. Visit to Japan by President Alfonso Portillo of the Republic of Guatemala
3. Candidature for nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council
4. Visit to Japan by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage of the United States of America
5. Statement on the junior high school history textbook issue
6. Follow-up questions on BMD
7. Follow-up questions on the textbook issue
8. Policy speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
9. Questions on the recent immigration incident at Narita Airport

1. Presentation of the Diplomatic Bluebook 2001

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

   This morning, at the regular meeting of the cabinet, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka presented the Diplomatic Bluebook 2001, and the Bluebook was subsequently acknowledged by the cabinet. The Bluebook resembles a kind of white paper detailing Japan's diplomacy, which is compiled on an annual basis. The Diplomatic Bluebook 2001 provides a commentary on the events of 2000.

   Related Information (Diplomatic Blue Book)
   
2. Visit to Japan by President Alfonso Portillo of the Republic of Guatemala

   Mr. Hattori: My second announcement is on the visit to Japan by President Alfonso Portillo of the Republic of Guatemala.

   President Portillo and Mrs. Portillo, accompanied by a suite, will visit Japan from 15-21 May and stay in Japan in an official working capacity from 15-18 May.

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

   Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan will host a Court Luncheon in honor of President Portillo and Mrs. Portillo.

   Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will also meet with President Portillo. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi will host a dinner in honor of President Portillo and Mrs. Portillo.

   The Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of President Portillo and Mrs. Portillo, which will further strengthen the friendly relations existing between Japan and the Republic of Guatemala.

   Related Information (Japan-Guatemala Relations)
   
3. Candidature for nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council

   Mr. Hattori: My third announcement is in regard to Japan's candidature for nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

   On 4 May, the Government of Japan informed the Government of the Republic of Philippines, which is acting as the presidency of the Asian group, of Japan's wish to be a candidate for nonpermanent membership of the Security Council. The election will be held in 2004. Thus, if Japan were to be elected, the term would be for the years 2005 and 2006.

   Related Information (Japan and the United Nations)
   
4. Visit to Japan by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage of the United States of America

   Mr. Hattori: My next announcement is with regard to the visit to Japan by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

   This morning, Deputy Secretary of State Armitage had consultations with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as representatives of the Defense Agency. Deputy Secretary of State Armitage also held consultations with Senior Vice Minister Shigeo Uetake and Senior Vice Minister Seiken Sugiura.

   Deputy State Secretary Armitage made the point that these consultations were being undertaken to support the decision making of the US side. On the basis of this understanding, Deputy State Secretary Armitage first of all gave an explanation about the speech made by President George W. Bush on 1 May. An exchange of views then took place on the basis of the presentation made by Deputy State Secretary Armitage.

   In the context of that consultation the Government of Japan set out its position as follows.

   The Government of Japan shares the recognition with the United States that the proliferation of ballistic missiles is causing a serious threat to our security.

   Japan and the United States are conducting cooperative research on ballistic missile defense technologies. As such, bilateral cooperation is important for the security of Japan, and we will continue to cooperate on this research.

   The Government of Japan expresses the understanding that the United States is considering the missile defense program while making various diplomatic efforts to address the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

   The Government of Japan welcomes President Bush's reference, in his recent speech, to further cuts in nuclear weapons.

   The Government of Japan hopes that the missile defense issue will be dealt with in a manner conducive to the improvement of the international security environment, including the areas of arms control and disarmament. Japan welcomes the renewed announcement by the United States of the US side's intention to conduct close consultations on this issue with its allies and other interested states, such as the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.

   The Government of Japan has also made clear its position on ballistic missile defense (BMD). In the face of the proliferation of ballistic missiles, BMD is one of the most important items on the defense agenda for Japan. Cooperation between Japan and the United States in this field will be conducive to strengthening the reliability and credibility of the Japan-US Security Treaty framework, which represents one of the pillars of the Japan-US security relationship. Furthermore, BMD is going to be one of the most important issues in discussions about security issues in this part of the world, particularly Northeast Asia.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
5. Statement on the junior high school history textbook issue

   Mr. Hattori: My last announcement is with regard to the junior high school history textbook issue.

   This morning, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Terusuke Terada was summoned to a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Han Seung-soo of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

   Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Seung-soo handed Ambassador Terada a document addressing the position of the Government of the Republic of Korea on the textbook issue. Subsequently, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka issued a statement on this issue. I would now like to give you the gist of that statement.

   Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka explained that Japan is fully aware of the very serious atmosphere prevailing over this issue in the Republic of Korea, and therefore Japan will take the Korean side's position with gravity and sincerity. The Government of Japan has made explanations to the Government of Korea regarding Japan's interpretation of history as well as the textbook authorization system, and it recognizes that the stance conveyed by the Korean side was formulated after serious and careful consideration on the basis of Japan's explanations. Accordingly, Japan would like to study the points made by the Korean side carefully and eagerly.

   The year 2002 has been designated as the year of Japan-Republic of Korea National Exchange. Based upon an agreement between our two governments, 2002 will be a year for increasing and strengthening the exchanges between the peoples of both countries. Therefore, Japan would like to look squarely at the past history and also try to strengthen and build up the friendly relationship between Japan and Korea.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
6. Follow-up questions on BMD

   Q: I am wondering if you think that Japan's enthusiasm for ballistic missile defense will prove to be an obstacle in Japan's efforts to improve its relations with North Korea?

   Mr. Hattori: As I stated earlier, ballistic missile defense, though it is still under study by both Japan and the United States, is going to be a significant issue in consideration of our overall security policies. Of course, the technology for ballistic missile defense is not yet there. That is why we have embarked on the joint research with the United States on BMD technology.

   I would stress that BMD is still at the research stage, and we do not yet know whether BMD will be viable, militarily or strategically, in the future.

   We are aware of the threat posed by the proliferation of missiles, particularly in this part of the world. As you know, it is Japan's policy not to possess ballistic missiles as a means of defense. To this end, I think it is quite legitimate for Japan to bring its resources to the study of BMD-related technology.

   Of course, it is not our intention to make our relationship with North Korea more difficult because of this issue. However, as I said, as there is a blatant threat posed by the proliferation of missiles in this part of the world, this is a legitimate policy for Japan to pursue.

   Q: Does the Japanese Government anticipate any problems with its relations with China as a result of its involvement in BMD?

   Mr. Hattori: I said that the Government of Japan welcomes the renewed announcement by the United States to conduct close consultations on this issue with allies and other interested states, such as Russia and China. So, Japan considers it very important that the United States carries out such consultations. The US side should, at least, explain about the programs to Russia and China in particular.

   Japan hopes that the missile defense issue will be dealt with in a manner that is conducive to the international security environment, including the areas of arms control and disarmament. It is not Japan's hope that BMD would jeopardize or hamper the general climate of arms control or the international security in any general way.

   Q: China certainly does not see that BMD is going to enhance international security at all. In fact, it thinks that it is going to promote another arms race. So, I am just wondering if, in bilateral relations between Japan and China, the Japanese Government foresees any problems as a result of China's stance, which is quite different on this issue?

   Mr. Hattori: Well, before assuming the post of Press Secretary I was Director-General for Arms Control and Scientific Affairs, and in that capacity I had the pleasure of holding consultations on several occasions with my Chinese counterparts on this and other arms control issues. I also understand that in the past, even under the administration of former President Bill Clinton, US government officials had made explanations about their programs to the Chinese side on several occasions. I know that all those explanations and consultations have not dissipated the concerns on the part of China. That is why I said that the United States should first of all conduct consultations with China as well as Russia.

   We are taking all the opportunities presented to explain to the Chinese side our position on the BMD research that we are undertaking with the United States in order to allay any unnecessary concerns or apprehensions. I think those close consultations have to be continued to prevent damaging the relationship between Japan and China. That is our intention.

   Related Information (Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation)
   
7. Follow-up questions on the textbook issue

   Q: Concerning the textbook issue, would you make it clear whether you have any intention to make any revisions in the textbook after you finish studying the Korean position on this matter?

   Mr. Hattori: Well, as representatives of the Government of Japan, including myself, have been saying, once a textbook passes through the authorization system, it is difficult to make changes or corrections after the final authorization, except in instances where clear factual errors are found.

   Q: So what does Foreign Minister Tanaka mean by saying that the Government will study it closely? What is the purpose of the study, to find out the "clear, factual errors" that you mentioned?

   Mr. Hattori: This is a serious issue. As I said, Ambassador Terada was asked by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Seung-soo to convey the results of the study by the Government of the Republic of Korea. This in itself reflects the gravity of the issue. We will accordingly make a sincere and earnest study of the Korean side's study.

   The comments from the Korean side have just arrived this morning. Just as the Korean side's study took some time, it will take time for us to conclude our study and come up with a response to the points made by the Republic of Korea.

   Q: Further on the same question, as you know, there have been protests from South Korea many times over the years. Does this statement by Foreign Minister Tanaka represent any change in Japan's stance on this issue? Is there any nuance here that may not be obvious? Has Japan responded similarly in the past in response to such protests by the South Korean Government?

   Mr. Hattori: The position of the Government of Japan on this issue, the interpretation of past history, has not changed. The position was made clear in the 1995 statement by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, as well as in the joint statement made at the time of President Kim Dae Jung's visit to Japan in 1998.

   The textbook now in question has passed through the textbook authorization process of our government and, as I said, once a textbook has gone through this system, it is difficult to make changes or corrections on the authorized text, except in the case that some blatant factual errors are found.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
8. Policy speech by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

   Q: Has the Government of Japan received any formal response from any foreign government regarding Mr. Koizumi's policy address yesterday?

   Mr. Hattori: As far as I know, no formal response has yet been received.

   Related Information (Speeches by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi)
   
9. Questions on the recent immigration incident at Narita Airport

   Q: Could you confirm the whereabouts of the man that was kicked out of this country, who was alleged to be Kim Jong Il's son?

   Mr. Hattori: We do not know the whereabouts nor the identity of the man in question.

   Q: Who were the women accompanying the man?

   Mr. Hattori: We do not know any more about the entourage accompanying the man.

   Q: When the Government took them into custody, did the Government interrogate them or ask them any questions?

   Mr. Hattori: They were not taken into custody. The individual attempted to enter Japan with a fake passport and was detected by an immigration officer. Of course, there was a questioning, but I do not think they were put into custody. In accordance with the immigration law of Japan, because the individual was holding a falsified passport, he was asked to leave Japan.