Press Conference7 September 2001

1. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's scheduled visit to four Southeast Asian countries
2. Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka's visit to the United States of America
3. Visit to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa
4. General election in the Republic of the Fiji Islands
5. Questions regarding the former President of the Republic of Peru, Mr. Alberto Fujimori
6. Question regarding the United Nations World Conference Against Racism
7. Questions regarding situations in the Middle East
8. Follow-up questions concerning Japan's extradition policy
9. Question regarding a report of a visit to Taiwan by a Japanese Government official
10. Question regarding the relationship between Japan and the Russian Federation

1. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's scheduled visit to four Southeast Asian countries

   Deputy Press Secretary Chikahito Harada: Good afternoon. I have four announcements to make. The first one is on the visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Koizumi will visit the Republic of Indonesia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore and Malaysia from 16-22 September. Prime Minister Koizumi will exchange views on bilateral relationships and international situations with leaders of these four countries.

   In Singapore, Prime Minister Koizumi will also make a speech on Japan's basic policy toward Southeast Asia.

   Related Information (Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Visit to Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia)
   
2. Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka's visit to the United States of America

   Mr. Harada: My second announcement is regarding the visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Tanaka to the United States of America. Foreign Minister Tanaka is leaving this evening for San Francisco and will return 10 September. On 8 September, Foreign Minister Tanaka will attend two ceremonies that commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Japan-US Security Treaty.

   On the same day, Foreign Minister Tanaka will meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell.

   Related Information (Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka's Visit to the United States of America)
   
3. Visit to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa

   Mr. Harada: My third announcement is the visit to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa. President and Mrs. Mbeki, will pay a State Visit to Japan from 1-3 October 2001. During their stay in Japan, President and Mrs. Mbeki will make a State Call on their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress will host a State Dinner in honor of President and Mrs. Mbeki. President Mbeki will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi.

   Related Information (Japan-South Africa Relations)
   
4. Comment on the general election in the Republic of the Fiji Islands

   Mr. Harada: My final announcement is a comment on the general election in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The Government of Japan has actively contributed to the election in Fiji by providing financial and technical assistance, the dispatch of ten United Nations election observers, as well as providing the electoral equipment. On 25 August, Mr. Toshio Kojima, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, visited Fiji and observed the election process.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the report by the United Nations Fijian Electoral Mission (UNFEOM) on the elections in the Fiji Islands, which took place 25 August-1 September. The report stated that no problems were observed significant enough to compromise the overall integrity of the voting process. The voting process was conducted in a transparent manner.

   The Government of Japan considers it critically important that the process of the elections be conducted in a fair manner, in accordance with the related laws and regulations, and that the people in Fiji respect the outcome of the elections.

   The Government of Japan strongly hopes that the country will restore a democratic and constitutional government and address such important issues as national reconciliation and economic development problems.

   Related Information (Japan-Fiji Relations)
   
5. Questions regarding the former President of the Republic of Peru, Mr. Alberto Fujimori

   Q: I have a question about Mr. Fujimori. Yesterday, the homicidal charges against the former Peruvian President Fujimori were filed in Peru. Can you tell us, as far as the Japanese Government is concerned, where do you stand? Are you planning to extradite Mr. Fujimori back to Peru? If not, why?

   Mr. Harada: The Government is aware of the news report on the incident you just mentioned. You asked about the extradition of Mr. Fujimori, and I have to say that the Government of Japan has not received an official request for the extradition of Mr. Fujimori. Should we receive such a request, we will consider our response in accordance with the Japanese domestic laws and regulations.

   Q: Should you receive this request, as far as Japanese laws are concerned, how does it work? Does it have to be taken to the Parliament for discussion? What is the process?

   My second questions is, are you in close contact with the Peruvian government, although you have not received a request on the extradition matter? Are you closely working with the Peruvian government?

   Mr. Harada: The Japanese laws and regulations concerned do not allow us to extradite a Japanese national unless we have an extradition treaty. The Government of Japan only has one such treaty and that is with the United States.

   The second part of your question, as far as I know, the Government of Japan does not have a consultation with the Peruvian government on the extradition issue. If you ask about matters beyond the extradition, the Government of Japan has received a request for judicial aid and international assistance in investigation practices. These requests have been relayed to the concerned ministries and responses are being considered in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

   Related Information (Japan-Peru Relations)
   
6. Question regarding the United Nations World Conference Against Racism

   Q: I am wondering if you have any reaction regarding the anti-racism conference held recently in South Africa, and the reaction of the United States and Israel?

   Mr. Harada: I do not have a specific comment on that because I am not well updated on that conference.

   Related Information (Japan and the United Nations)
   
7. Questions regarding situations in the Middle East

   Q: Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry website released a report about Japan's assistance to the Palestinians. I saw in that report that Japan is taking a leading international role in this assistance, which is very appreciated. I noticed that you concentrated on the infrastructure in that area. In recent events, I think that the Israel forces destroyed most of this infrastructure, which was assisted by the Japanese Government. How do you feel about this? Do you think you would like to support such a request, if asked by the Palestinians?

   Mr. Harada: It is difficult for me to comment on your question because I am not sure if the destruction was made mainly in the infrastructure that Japan provided assistance for.

   Our assistance to the Palestinians, as you said, we have taken a leading role in this area. The Government of Japan will continue to provide assistance to the Palestinians.

   Q: Now there are crucial negotiations going on between the Kuwait government and Arabian Oil Company, ltd. I read reports saying that the Director-General of Natural Resources at the METI is there to participate and help finalize the negotiations. What is the Foreign Ministry's role in this, if you have any role? Do you have any policy regarding this issue?

   Mr. Harada: As you know negotiations have not been concluded yet. Both sides agreed to continue the negotiations. The Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry is taking the primary role in the negotiations, but the Foreign Ministry would naturally like to see a successful conclusion of the negotiations, and on our part, we will cooperate with METI to create a favorable environment for such a successful conclusion.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
8. Follow-up questions concerning Japan's extradition policy

   Q: As far as the Foreign Ministry is concerned, how do you determine if a Japanese national is accused of homicidal charges?

   Mr. Harada: I think that since this is a very delicate issue and concerns the internal politics of Peru, even though your question takes a general form, I have to refrain from commenting on that.

   Q: Is Japan requesting the extradition of individuals from other countries? Do you keep insisting on this extradition?

   Mr. Harada: As I already stated, we usually include in an extradition treaty to have the legal right to request extradition. As far as I know, at this moment there are not any cases where Japan has requested extradition from any country. As for past activities, I would have to check on that.

   Q: According to my information, Japan requested the extradition of Kozo Okamoto from Lebanon. He is now there on a political asylum basis. So I do not know if you still ...

   Mr. Harada: As I told you, Japan needs an extradition treaty in order to have the legal right to request extradition. Japan had cases to request extradition, practically, but that is not premised on a legal right based on a treaty. Even though Japan does not have an extradition treaty, Japan might request an extradition.

   Q: So also other countries can request extradition from Japan?

   Mr. Harada: Yes, but my answer was in regards to Japan's response to a request for extradition. Japan has to consider its domestic laws and regulations. I did not say that other countries cannot make an extradition request; but if we do not have an extradition treaty, then we cannot extradite a Japanese national to another country.

9. Question regarding a report of a visit to Taiwan by a Japanese Government official

   Q: There was a news report that the Foreign Minister of Taiwan authority said, in the United States, that a Japanese high ranking Government official will soon visit Taiwan. Is this true?

   Mr. Harada: As far as I know, there are no such plans.

10. Question regarding the relationship between Japan and the Russian Federation

    Q: Do you have the latest update about the situation between Russia and Japan? There was some tension recently over fishing.

    Mr. Harada: As far as I know, there is no new development in that area. We continue to consult with the Russian Federation side on that issue.