Press Conference 25 October 2002

1. Mr. Yasushi Akashi to participate in peace process in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
2. Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation
3. Japanese aid to the Republic of Ghana
4. Statement on the adoption of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament
5. Question about nations bearing nuclear arms
6. Questions concerning North Korea and Japanese abductees
7. Questions on Japan-Italy relations
8. Questions about foreign press in Japan
9. Questions regarding travel advisories
10. Follow-up questions on foreign press in Japan
11. Question about filming Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's press conferences

1. Mr. Yasushi Akashi to participate in peace process in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon, thank you very much for coming to this briefing. Today I have four announcements that I would like to make at the outset.

   Firstly, the Government of Japan today appointed Mr. Yasushi Akashi, former Undersecretary General of the United Nations, as representative of the Government of Japan for peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, where a peace process is now underway. Mr. Akashi will visit Sri Lanka as early as the beginning of November of this year to see the situation for himself and exchange views with government officials of Sri Lanka.

   Peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction are the major issues in Sri Lanka, and Mr. Akashi, as a representative of the Government of Japan, will contribute to the progress of these processes.

   Related Information (Appointment of a Representative of the Government of Japan for Sri Lanka)
   
2. Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation. Last night, the Japanese Embassy in Moscow conveyed a message from Prime Minister Koizumi to President Putin, in which Prime Minister Koizumi strongly condemned the seizure of the theatre in Moscow with the huge number of civilians, and wished the early release of the hostages. He also expressed hope for an early settlement of the situation under the strong leadership of President Putin.

   Related Information (Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation Concerning the Occupation of a Theater in Moscow)
   
3. Japanese aid to the Republic of Ghana

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement that I have concerns Japanese aid to the Republic of Ghana. The Government of Japan decided today to extend grant aid of up to 116 million yen to Ghana for the rehabilitation of major roads, along with views to implementing the project. Notes to this effect were exchanged in Japan today between Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Ms. Kazuko Asai, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hackman Owasu-Agyeman of Ghana, in the presence of President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana, who is currently visiting Japan, and also Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda here in Tokyo. The details of this arrangement are available at the International Press Division in this building.

   Related Information (Grant Aid to Ghana for the Project for Rehabilitation of Trunk Road)
   
4. Statement on the adoption of the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament

   Mr. Takashima: The fourth piece of information that I would like to share with you is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a welcoming statement under my name yesterday regarding the adoption of a draft resolution on a path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons, at the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. This information is also available at the International Press Division.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Adoption of the Draft Resolution on Nuclear Disarmament Submitted by Japan to the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly)
   
5. Question about nations bearing nuclear arms

   Q: In the press release I received this morning about what you said regarding the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament, in the last part, you gave confirmation that Japan intends to continue intensified efforts towards nuclear disarmament. Excluding major countries like the United States and Russia, which nations has the Japanese Government identified as bearing nuclear arms?

   Mr. Takashima: We understand that North Korea is developing nuclear capabilities, because it was announced by the United States Government that North Korea admitted that it had such a program at a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly when he visited Pyongyang this month. We are urging North Korea to terminate and abandon the program.

   Also, we are urging India and Pakistan to stop developing nuclear arsenals for the sake of the peace of not only that region but also the whole world.

   Related Information (Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation)
   
6. Questions concerning North Korea and Japanese abductees

   Q: I have two questions concerning North Korea. One, again, is on the nuclear issue. This weekend in Mexico at APEC, there will be a meeting, I understand, between South Korea, the USA, and Japan. Will Japan's starting point for those talks be an agreed framework, and will the work of KEDO thus continue as is? That is the first. The second is, is it now the standpoint of the government that the five so-called abductees will stay in Japan and that their families will have to come here--is that at this moment the position of Japan?

   Mr. Takashima: To answer the second part of your question first, yes, the Government's position now is that those five abductees will be staying in Japan permanently, and we are asking North Korea to allow the families of these five abductees who are now living in North Korea to come to Japan as early as possible so that they may talk with each other about their future plans.

   We are discussing this issue with North Korea, but if North Korea does not reply to this request, then we will put this issue at the top of our agenda in negotiations with North Korea when we resume talks on the normalization of relations in Kuala Lumpur on 29 October.

   To answer your first question on the planned meeting between the leaders of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan at the APEC Summit Meeting, we hope the result will be some sort of statement condemning North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear capabilities and demanding that North Korea terminate that program. But on the issue of an agreed framework and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), that will be a subject of discussion, but I cannot predict the final outcome.

   Q: When Japan refers to the families of the abductees, does that include the husband of one of the women?

   Mr. Takashima: Yes we include him, and we are also discussing the issue of Mr. Charles Jenkins with the US Government.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
7. Question on Japan-Italy relations

   Q: Are we allowed to ask any question?

   Mr. Takashima: Any question, please, and hopefully I will be able to answer.

   Q: I understand the new Japanese ambassador to Italy, Ms. Matsubara, went to Italy. I understand also that US Attorney General John Ashcroft recently stated again that, especially among the G8 members, there should be absolute cooperation on the past, present and future of terrorism.

   Now I am sure you are aware that there is an outstanding problem in Italy and Japan about an Italian citizen that has been detained. And the Italian government is seeking the restitution of this Italian national.

   In the past, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they were kentosuru. Now two and half years have passed since the first president and I met Foreign Minister Kawaguchi. A few months ago, when I asked her personally if she was aware of this problem, she said, no. She was not aware.

   My question is, is the minister now aware of this problem, and how is she going to cope with this big problem between Italy and Japan? I understand that the ball is now in Japan's court, because Italy has sent to the Government of Japan all the documentation that they have asked for. What are you going to do about this?

   Mr. Takashima: I am aware of this case, and I have not asked specifically if Foreign Minister Kawaguchi had any knowledge of it or not, but since I am aware of it and have some knowledge of the case, I assume that she must also have the same type of knowledge that I have.

   As for the case of the new ambassador to Italy, Ms. Matsubara, you may know that she is a career bureaucrat who has had a long experience working in a very high position within the Japanese Government, and she was fully briefed on all bilateral issues, including this case, before her departure from Tokyo to Rome.

   She will be consulting with not only the members of the sections here in this department but also with her staff at the Embassy to better understand the situation.

   Since this case is something of an outstanding issue between Italy and Japan, the Japanese side will continue its efforts to resolve this issue. But so far no decisions have been made.

   Q: To make it short, may I say in Japanese that this is still kentochu?

   Mr. Takashima: Yes.

   Related Information (Japan-Italy Relations)
   
8. Questions about foreign press in Japan

   Q: The European Union in its most recent priority proposal for regulatory reform in Japan included a new item, Journalism. After a long introduction, the first proposal to the Japanese side is that, except for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press card issue, the correspondents of foreign media organizations have accreditation for all media events held by Japan's official bodies. What is the response of the Foreign Ministry to this request?

   Mr. Takashima: Are you referring to any specific incident?

   Q: No, I am asking what your response is to this request that foreign journalists get equal access to all government official press events.

   Mr. Takashima: My jurisdiction is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we are offering equal access to anybody who bears the press pass issued by the Foreign Press Center on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So anyone is welcome in this building and to attend press conferences, and so forth.

   At the same time, there is a kind of special Japanese domestic tradition of having press clubs. The press club is modifying itself to bring itself up-to-date, but it is up to them to decide, because they are self-governed bodies and independent from the ministry.

   Q: But you are saying now that the Foreign Ministry offers full access to all press conferences. I received faxes on these press conferences by your office. Can I from now on also expect notices on every press conference by Foreign Minister Kawaguchi?

   Mr. Takashima: This notice is simply distributed for your convenience, especially as it is in English. Other press conferences are held in Japanese, and the information is always available on the board of the press section of this building. So if you just take a look at it, you will know when and where the press conferences will be held, and you are entitled to attend and ask questions, provided they are in Japanese.

9. Questions regarding travel advisories

   Q: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi issued a travel advisory regarding a possible terror attack in Phuket, Thailand. This was originally issued by the Danish Government. Except for Japan and the USA, this is the first time an overseas travel advisory has been issued. My question is, from now on will Foreign Minister Kawaguchi pick up advisories issued by other countries like Denmark? We have a travel advisory issued by the USA and Britain, but this kind of information from other governments is quite important for Japanese tourists going abroad.

   Mr. Takashima: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisory is issued simply because we think it is necessary or advisable for Japanese tourists to take precautions when they travel, and it is done independently. Of course we take note of advisories issued by all foreign countries, but it is not the reason why we issue the advisory.

   Q: The advisory pointed out that the next terror attack might be in Phuket so it is quite important.

   Mr. Takashima: Judging from the fact that the disco in Bali was the target of the attack, it would be very much advisable for Japanese tourists to take full precautions when they visit crowded places like discos in popular tourist locations like Phuket, and that was one of the reasons why we issued that advisory.

   Q: In light of the sniper attack in Washington, DC, and also the hostage taking in Moscow, did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advise Japanese tourists to take extra care in these two cities?

   Mr. Takashima: The Embassy of Japan in the Washington area issued special advice for Japanese residents living in the area to take extra precautions in their behavior and the things they do. In Moscow, we have not issued any advisory yet, but the Embassy of Japan in Moscow is now checking if there are any Japanese residents or visitors involved in this hostage-taking incident at the theatre in Moscow.

   Q: So you do not know whether any Japanese have been taken hostage?

   Mr. Takashima: Not yet. So far we have had no report to that effect.

10. Follow-up questions on foreign press in Japan

    Q: If I could come back to the press issue, you pride yourself on the Foreign Ministry being very open. The new proposal refers to all Japan's official bodies. As you might know, there have been two specific incidents, the Ikeda Elementary School incident and the Lucy Blackman murder case here in Tokyo, where during a press conference by Japan's police, foreign media were shut out and could not join.

    You pride yourself on the openness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Will you now also work towards these kinds of incidents not occurring? Will all these kinds of press conferences by official bodies now be completely open to all foreign press even if it is a police agency somewhere in Aomori or wherever?

    Mr. Takashima: Probably you have some knowledge of the system of settting up a press conference by various institutions and agencies of the Government. The basic understanding is that press conferences are organized and held by the press club of each institution. So the fact is, each press club has to decide to what extent they will open their doors to foreign correspondents.

    In the case of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press club, they decided a long time ago to welcome all foreign journalists with a press card issued by the Foreign Press Center, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And the same thing has now been happening at the Cabinet Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office--because the Prime Minister's Office press club has given the foreign media an observer status--and the Tokyo Stock Exchange press club has also opened its door to foreign media.

    So things are happening in the direction that I mentioned. But as for the press office and press club of each individual governmental institution, I simply have no jurisdiction to comment, but my impression is that the Japanese side is making an effort to be more accessible to the foreign media.

    Q: Why does the government not simply say that the press conferences are organized by themselves? Why do you have to hide behind the line that press conferences are organized by the press club? Are you so weak? Tanaka Yasuo decided to do it himself.

    Mr. Takashima: Well, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing it the traditional way.

    Q: Why do you not break with tradition?

    Mr. Takashima: That is a very good question.

    Q: As you mentioned, this is a very hot subject. More than an answer to a question, could you give us advice?

    You mentioned that these press conferences are basically privately organized. But it so happens that they are held in public buildings. Very recently, in June, I wanted to attend a public briefing. As far as I know--I am not sure about this but maybe you can help me--with the press card I have, I think I am entitled to enter a public building, at least the lobby, register, and say I want to attend this briefing. If you issue a press card to a foreign journalist, it guarantees that this person is a journalist and should have access to public places. I am talking about government buildings.

    There is a trick in this. You are not allowed to participate in press conferences also out of a logistical problem: If you do not enter the building, you cannot go into a single room. Now, sometimes it happens with me that thanks to the very low security in Japan, you can enter public buildings and end up in the right room.

    When I ended up in the right room, where I heard somehow that something was going on, I never got kicked out. After all, we are colleagues, and I say, I can speak Japanese, I would like to attend, yoroshiku. Once it did happen and I sort of forced my way in and said, no, I am staying. And nobody kicked me out.

    Maybe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could study a way to issue yoseishito to the government bodies that with this press card we are allowed to physically enter public buildings. After that, it is a matter between journalists, and let us deal with that. We do not want the help of the Japanese government, since it is a private club; let us fight with the Japanese press clubs, but please help us in physically entering the buildings. It could be an informal suggestion from many foreign journalists. Please consider it.

    Mr. Takashima: The department or each agency or each institution of the Government of Japan, each one has its own rules of access. For example, this building will allow you to come in with that pass. But, for example, the Prime Minister's office would require its own pass, and the Ministry of Finance would require another.

    Q: But even if the kishya club would allow you to get into the club, you are stopped at the entrance because they make a phone call. They ask, 'Are you registered?' 'No', then they will not give you access. Then the time you have for kosho is already gone.

    Mr. Takashima: First, I would like you to raise the issue not only here but also at the Foreign Press Center, and I will consult on the issue with the Foreign Press Center and see if there is any sort of way to resolve this matter, but it may take time.

    Q: Yes, we recognize that there has been a great improvement since 10 years ago, so I recognize that the Foreign Ministry is leading this whole thing. I just ask for cooperation, because we should not get to a point, like the Bloomberg case, which erupts because the journalists want to have access to sources of information. Sooner or later it will happen again, so let us avoid this and try to go in the right direction.

    Mr. Takashima: I appreciate your comment, thank you.

11. Question concerning permission to film Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's press conferences

    Q: You mentioned that Foreign Minister Kawaguchi has a press conference which the foreign press is allowed to attend. Would that include camera filming?

    Mr. Takashima: It depends upon the occasion. Mostly, press conferences are open to camera coverage as well, but for some, cameras would not be allowed.

    Q: In which cases?

    Mr. Takashima: It depends.