Press Conference 3 July 2001

1. Statement on a suspected criminal assault by a US Air Force Serviceman
2. Statement on the situation in the Middle East
3. Follow-up questions concerning events in Okinawa
4. Questions with regard to the Kyoto Protocol
5. Follow-up questions on the situation in the Middle East
6. Questions on consultations over fishery issues between Japan and the Republic of Korea
7. Question on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka

1. Statement on a suspected criminal assault by a US Air Force Serviceman

   Assistant Press Secretary Daisuke Matsunaga: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press conference. I have two announcements to make today, one in relation to the incident on Okinawa, the other on the Middle East peace process.

   First, on Okinawa, this is a statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka, copies of which will be available shortly. The statement is as follows.

   The National Police Agency has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that an arrest warrant was issued at 21:37 on 2 July for U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Timothy B. Woodland, posted at Kadena Air Base, on suspicion of raping a Japanese woman in Mihama, Chatan-cho, Okinawa Prefecture, at around 02:00 on 29 June. The Government of Japan finds this incident extremely regrettable, and such an incident should not have occurred.

   Upon receiving this information, I immediately instructed Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Yutaka Kawashimaa and Ambassador in Charge of Okinawan Affairs Hiroshi Hashimoto to convey to the U.S. side Japan's strong regret, and also instructed them to request the U.S. side to impose strict discipline and prevent the recurrence of such incidents. I have also decided to dispatch to Okinawa Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Taimei Yamaguchi to deal with the case.

   The Government of Japan requests the U.S. side to transfer the custody of the suspect to the Japanese police before indictment, on the basis of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee Agreement on Criminal Procedures in 1995.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
2. Statement on the situation in the Middle East

   Mr. Matsunaga: The State of Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to the implementation timeline of the Mitchell Report, and both parties have started work on the cessation of violence and confidence restoration.

   The Government of Japan expresses deep regret at the Israeli bombing of the Syrian military facilities in the Republic of Lebanon and also at the Hezbollah attacks over the ceasefire line between Israel and Lebanon. Japan is also concerned that clashes continue in the West Bank and parts of Israel. Japan hopes that there will be no escalation of violence in Southern Lebanon and the Palestinian Autonomous Area.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
3. Follow-up questions concerning events in Okinawa

   Q: I wonder if you could comment briefly on why Japan is asking the US to turn over the suspect before indictment? Why not just wait?

   Mr. Matsunaga: The 1995 Joint Committee Agreement states that in the case of heinous crimes of murder and rape the U.S. side will give sympathetic consideration to any requests for the transfer of custody. It is on the basis of this agreement that Japan requested the transfer of the custody of the suspect.

   Q: When do you expect to receive a response from the American side on the request for custody?

   Mr. Matsunaga: The request was made late last night, but regarding the timing of a U.S. response, I would rather refrain from making any comment.

   Q: Why?

   Mr. Matsunaga: So far we have not yet received any response, and I would rather refrain from making any speculation.

   Q: Japan of course--Japanese justice operates on the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven, and this suspect has not been charged yet, let alone convicted. Do statements like the one made by Minister Tanaka about the responsibilities and the need for discipline on the American side not prejudice the suspects chances of a fair trial by implying that, indeed, an American serviceman was responsible for this alleged crime?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Before issuing an arrest warrant the police had been investigating for the past few days and, as I said earlier, the statement refers to the individual as a suspect, not a culprit. This case will, of course, be handled in accordance with the due process of law. In cases of similar incidents expressions of regret have been made, and even though the individual in question is still a suspect, I do not think that it is inappropriate for Foreign Minister Tanaka's statement to refer to this incident as regrettable.

   Q: But her statement requests the U.S. side to impose strict discipline and prevent the recurrence of such incidents. That clearly implies that, in this case, the U.S. side has been delinquent in imposing discipline, does it not?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Already, General Hailston, the Okinawa Area Coordinator, himself expressed his desire to impose strict discipline upon service members and personally work hard to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

   Q: So may we take it that both Japan and the United States are persuaded that this man is guilty of rape?

   Mr. Matsunaga: We would like to defer this case to criminal procedures, which will take place, in accordance with the due process of law.

   Q: Do foreigners in general get the same treatment, in the event that they commit crimes such as rape, on the same level as military personnel or not?

   Mr. Matsunaga: The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) stipulates that until indictment, if the suspect is being held by the military authorities, they will remain under U.S. military custody, that is, if the suspect is one of the personnel covered by SOFA. This applies only to SOFA personnel. Others, that is, persons not covered by SOFA, Americans or otherwise, other foreign nationals, or even Japanese nationals for that matter, are treated in exactly the same way.

   Q: Since such incidents have been reoccurring over the years, do you feel that the American forces in Japan should be restricted to the American bases and not be allowed into the cities, for example?

   Mr. Matsunaga: This is quite apart from the official statement, but in Okinawa we have been working hard to improve relations between local communities and U.S. Forces, and we encourage exchanges between local communities and service members, such activities as tutors in English classes in local schools, athletic meets, open base, and participation in local festivals. Many such exchange activities take place and there is a positive element in encouraging those exchange activities. Restricting the service members to the base is not the policy that we have been following.

   Q: So the basic stance toward cooperation with the United States will not be affected by this incident?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Stricter imposition of discipline should be looked at with a fresh view. Okinawa Area Coordinator General Hailston promised to do that.

   Q: Has the new U.S. Ambassador met yet with anyone from the Foreign Ministry? And if not, I understand he is just arriving today so it might be a bit early, are there plans for someone from the Ministry to meet with him? And secondly, have you had any discussions with the U.S. military about increasing security around bases, if there is any concern about protests?

   Mr. Matsunaga: In response to your first question, I do not know anything about US Ambassador Howard Baker's schedule in terms of meetings with anyone from the Foreign Ministry, but yes, I do know he will be arriving in Japan later in the afternoon.

   On your second question, I in fact lived in Okinawa as one of the first generation of staff members at the Okinawa Liaison Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I can assure you that, in Okinawa, no matter how much the people's feelings are aroused by such appalling incidents, there is always a clear personal distinction between anti-American feelings, personal animosity toward Americans in general, and antipathy toward such appalling incidents. I do not think there will be any need to heighten the security of U.S. bases. If there are any demonstrations carried out, they are carried out very peacefully, if, I might add, they are fully organized by Okinawan people. Usually, in ordinary cases, however sentiments might be aroused, demonstrations remain peaceful. That is Okinawa, if I may add my personal comment.

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4. Questions with regard to the Kyoto Protocol

   Q: A question on the Prime Minister's visit to the United States and Europe, particularly with regard to the Kyoto Protocol. Before he left Japan, Mr. Koizumi described the American position on the Kyoto Protocol as deplorable, however when he was in Washington he did not deplore it, indeed, he told the Americans that he supported President Bush's position. Why is he saying one thing in Japan and something else in America?

   Mr. Matsunaga: There is no change in our position, that we would like the United States to be part of the Kyoto Protocol regime. We would like to keep working on the U.S. side so that the United States will join us in the regime to be established. That is our position.

   Q: So does Mr. Koizumi believe that the American position is deplorable or not?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I would rather not attempt to put myself in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's position, but the Prime Minister repeatedly said that there is still some more time and we would like to keep working until the last minute.

   Q: Without wanting to keep repeating myself, he did use the word deplorable in Japan. That is an extremely strong phrasing, very unambiguous. You must know whether he believes that it is deplorable or not? Perhaps he has changed his mind, or he used the word misadvisedly?

   Mr. Matsunaga: If I can give you my interpretation, it is unfortunate that the United States has to leave the Kyoto Protocol negotiations. As I said earlier, we are determined to keep working hard in order to see that the United States will be part of the Kyoto Protocol regime to be established.

   Q: You made it clear that the Japanese Government still has hopes of winning around the Americans. However, Mr. Bush has made his position quite clear. Can you give us any examples, from the meeting with Mr. Koizumi on Saturday, of phrasing, words, or sentiments from Mr. Bush that suggest there is good reason for hope?

   Mr. Matsunaga: People talk about ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, however, detailed rules have to be worked out before any party, that is, a signatory country, decides whether it can ratify the Protocol or not, and detailed rules have not yet been worked out. Unless such detailed rules are laid down one does not know how difficult, how tough, it will be to meet the numerical reduction targets. Thus, it is rather premature to discuss the ratification issue at this stage. The resumed COP6 is exactly the place where detailed rules are going to be negotiated.

   Q: My question was more about the content of the summit meeting. Mr. Koizumi has come out of it and he still appears to be hopeful that ratification will take place. Now why is he so hopeful? I am not talking about the process, but the summit meeting itself. What did Mr. Bush say that gives him hope?

   Mr. Matsunaga: Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush shared the recognition that the global warming question is a challenge to the international community, and they are of the same mind that this issue has to be tackled seriously.

   Q: None of that is new; I mean Mr. Bush has said that all before and he has also said that it is a dead letter. So why is Mr. Koizumi just not giving up, based on the meeting?

   Mr. Matsunaga: The leaders decided to intensify the high-level contact, to engage in even closer consultation than before, in terms of what we can do about the issue. This is a new element and it can provide a window of opportunity, hopefully.

   Q: U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said on U.S. television, about Mr. Bush, "The President's approach of pursuing these issues is now on a research and technology basis instead of the completely unfair approach that Kyoto would have forced the United States to follow. It is the sensible way" and then he said, "I am glad to see Japan joining us in taking that position." Does the Energy Secretary accurately characterize Japan's position?

   Mr. Matsunaga: We are still sticking with the Kyoto Protocol. If that position is not correctly portrayed in someone's statement it is really up to you to judge. I am not in a position to correct anyone from the government of another country.

   Q: There seems to be in the air a suggestion that maybe an alternative to Kyoto will be worked out, maintaining the spirit of the thing but changing a lot of the details. Is that something that Japan is looking at?

   Mr. Matsunaga: At this point, we believe that the Kyoto Protocol should be the basis for the regime to be laid down. As a former Director for Climate Change, we studied every suggestion, so as to enrich our thoughts, but we uphold the Kyoto Protocol.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   Related Information (Climate Change)
   
5. Follow-up questions on the situation in the Middle East

   Q: Concerning your statement about the Middle East, it gives the impression that Israel and the Arab sides are both victims on the same level, but the facts, the death tolls, are different, and it is obvious that Israel is violating international laws by attacking another country's territory. Do you feel that your statement is rather lenient toward Israel in terms of Lebanon?

   Mr. Matsunaga: As I said earlier, Japan expresses deep regret at both the bombing of the Syrian military facilities in Lebanon and at the attacks by Hezbollah beyond the ceasefire line between Israel and Lebanon. Our regret is over both actions.

   Q: But on the second action, I think, according to reports, a party is trying to liberate its land from occupation, which is not included in your statement, because Israel occupies some land there. You do not refer to Israel as an occupier. Do you feel it should be stated in this way?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I know in what direction you would like to me to slightly modify my statement. But, my statement is just as I said earlier, nothing more, nothing less; please take it as it is.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
6. Questions on consultations over fishery issues between Japan and the Republic of Korea

   Q: Do you have the latest news on the fishery issues off the northern four islands and the north of Japan, between Japan and Korea?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I have a transcript of Vice Minister Kawashima's press conference yesterday at which he mentioned the consultations that were held in the Republic of Korea. We requested the Korean side to hand over a letter from Foreign Minister Tanaka to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Han Seung Soo, which appealed to the Korean side to refrain from operating off the Northern Territories. However, beyond that, there is no new development; consultations will continue.

   Q: I read today a report saying that Foreign Minister Tanaka is considering appointing Mr. Koichi Kato as a Senior Vice Minister or a similar position. Do you have any information on that?

   Mr. Matsunaga: I have no information on that.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
7. Question on the schedule of Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanaka

   Q: Is Minister Tanaka also going somewhere this month?

   Mr. Matsunaga: If you are asking about the schedule for foreign visits by Foreign Minister Tanaka before the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, nothing has been decided yet.