Press Conference 28 January 2003
- Reports on the inspections in the Republic of Iraq by United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Reaction to the incursion into Gaza
- World Trade Organization (WTO) Tokyo Informal Ministerial Meeting
- Assistance for Malaria Control in Nigeria by the Trust Fund for Human Security
- Questions concerning reaction to the report by the weapons inspection teams in Iraq
- Questions concerning potential impact of possible attack on Iraq
- Question concerning North Korean refugees
- Question concerning communications with North Korea
- Reports on the inspections in the Republic of Iraq by United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon, thank you very much for coming to this briefing. Today, I have four announcements I would like to make.
The first announcement is in connection with yesterday's report by Dr. Hans Blix of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and by Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the United Nations Security Council.
The Government of Japan took note that the inspection teams had not been able to obtain sufficient substantive cooperation, which was necessary for addressing the unresolved disarmament issues in regard to the weapons of mass destruction of the Republic of Iraq.
The Government of Japan strongly urges the Government of Iraq to cooperate with the United Nations weapons inspections far more actively and in full. Under the terms of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, the Government of Iraq is required to prove that it is complying with all the terms and conditions written in the relevant UN resolutions, including the complete disposal of its weapons of mass destruction.
We will closely monitor the forthcoming debate at the United Nations Security Council on these inspection reports and the attitude of the Government of Iraq in terms of its cooperation with the inspection teams and compliance with the relevant United Nations resolutions.
At the same time, the Government of Japan will continue its diplomatic effort to resolve this Iraqi question peacefully. That will include the meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and the envoy of Iraq stationed in Tokyo.
Related Information (Japan's Diplomatic Efforts on the Issue of Iraq)
Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the reports by UNMOVIC and IAEA to the United Nations Security Council on the inspections in Iraq)
- Reaction to the incursion into Gaza
Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the Palestinian situation.
The Government of Japan was saddened to learn that the Israeli incursion into the Gaza area from the night of 25 January to the dawn of 26 January has caused a large number of casualties among ordinary citizens there.
The Government of Japan extends its condolences and sympathies to the victims and their families and condemns the incursion by the Israeli forces.
We do not think this kind of action would help promote the international effort to resolve the issue which includes the consultation being held in the Arab Republic of Egypt by the various factions of Palestinians toward the realization of ceasefire.
The Government of Japan requests that the Government of Israel should exercise maximum restraint.
Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Israeli incursion into Gaza)
- World Trade Organization (WTO) Tokyo Informal Ministerial Meeting
Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting here in Tokyo.
The Government of Japan will host a WTO informal ministerial meeting from 14 to 16 February in Tokyo.
The meeting will be presided by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and will be attended by the representatives of 25 Members of the WTO, including the United States of America, the European Commission, China, and Australia, along with WTO Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi.
The participants will review the progress of the trade negotiations launched at the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference held in November 2001 in Doha and will discuss measures to advance the negotiations as part of the preparations toward the 5th Ministerial Conference scheduled from 10 to 14 September in Cancun, Mexico. The issues to be discussed at the Tokyo informal ministerial meeting include agriculture, non-agricultural products, services, development-related issues, and what are known as Singapore issues, such as investment, competition, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement.
Through hosting this gathering among others, the Government of Japan intends to greatly contribute to meeting the respective "deadlines" and advance the entire negotiation process.
Related Information (WTO Tokyo Informal Ministerial Meeting)
- Assistance for Malaria Control in Nigeria by the Trust Fund for Human Security
Mr. Takashima: The fourth and last announcement is that the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend a total of approximately one million US dollars (US$997,052.15) assistance through the Trust Fund for Human Security to the project "Malaria Control with an Emphasis on Insecticide Treated Bednets (ITNs) and Household Management of Malaria by Mothers" to be implemented in Nigeria by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
This project will target 625,000 individuals for the use of ITNs and is expected to reduce child and maternal mortality, reduce the household expenditure spent on health and improve the potential for development.
Related Information (Assistance for Malaria Control in Nigeria by the Trust Fund for Human Security)
- Questions concerning reaction to the report by the weapons inspection teams in Iraq
Q: In reference to Mr. Blix's report to the UN Security Council, Mr. Blix pointed out areas that they are not clear on, such as missing anthrax and other chemical agents. China, Russia and France want the inspections to continue and the inspectors to have more time to do their inspections, and are against military action. The indication from the US is that they are willing to go along with this and dollar prices fell after the report on the expectations that military action would be delayed to give the inspectors more time. Germany is also opposed, and they will be sharing that with the UN Security Council.
Do you think the inspectors should be given more time to look into these areas that are still unclear? Mr. Blix said that Iraq is not cooperating fully. How can they be made to cooperate without any military action? How much more time do you think before military action is taken?
Mr. Takashima: We took note that the report indicated that there were some shortcomings or discrepancies between what the Government of Iraq had been telling the inspection teams and what the teams have found so far. We understand that the inspection teams are continuing their efforts to find out the truth surrounding all the problems that we face in terms of weapons of mass destruction supposedly possessed by Iraq.
We understand that the UN Security Council will further discuss the inspectors' report, and we will closely monitor and watch the discussion procedure and see what sort of decision the Council will make. Since we are not a member of the UN Security Council, it is up to the members to decide what should be done with the inspection.
However, as I have said at the beginning, the Government of Japan strongly urges the Government of Iraq to comply fully and more actively with the implementation of the terms of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and inspection activities.
Q: When the first headline came, it seemed like there was some bargaining going on, especially between the United States and Iraq. How long do you think that President Bush will wait to give the order to start shooting?
Mr. Takashima: We did not think that 27 January was any sort of deadline, but it was simply the date set by the UN Security Council for the inspectors to make an interim report to the Council, and that was done. We understand that the United States still has not decided whether it will take any military action, but rather they simply left the issue on the table of the UN Security Council.
As far as the Government of Japan is concerned, quite recently, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made a telephone call to President George W. Bush of the United States of America and discussed the issue, in addition to other issues, such as the situation in North Korea. In terms of the situation in Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi called on President Bush to continue his effort to maintain international solidarity on this issue. We understand that President Bush replied positively.
Related Information (Japan's Diplomatic Efforts on the Issue of Iraq)
Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the reports by UNMOVIC and IAEA to the United Nations Security Council on the inspections in Iraq)
- Questions concerning potential impact of possible attack on Iraq
Q: If the United States together with its allies should strike, how would Japan react? Would you support such an attack and in what way in view of the limitations of the Constitution of Japan?
Mr. Takashima: As I have said, we have not seen anybody make any sort of decision on military action. It is simply impossible for us to discuss what sort of situation would happen at the time of military action, if it should ever be taken.
On the side of the Government of Japan, we have been studying and examining all the possibilities and have been setting up a plan for that contingency, including the evacuation of Japanese nationals from that area if something were to happen, and the assistance that Japan would extend to neighboring countries, which we believe would suffer from an inflow of refugees or economic hardship. Of course, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq itself will be necessary if something were to happen.
We have been studying all those possibilities, but those are plans on paper and we have not yet implemented any of these.
Q: If the United States asked Japan for a financial contribution to its military action, are you willing to finance such a military strike? Do your plans include such possibilities?
Mr. Takashima: We have not reached any conclusion one way or the other in terms of financial or military assistance. Rather, we are now focusing on the issues such as evacuation or the refugee situation.
Q: How far would the Government of Japan support a military action by the US?
Mr. Takashima: No decision has been made by the United States, and that means that we have no decision made on such a hypothetical situation. As you might know, Japan has its own laws and Constitution, which restricts Japanese actions in military terms. In this kind of situation, I do not feel that it is appropriate for me to discuss military assistance or action for something that has not taken place yet or even been planned.
Q: On refugees, there was a UN report from Stockholm that there would be around 3 million refugees if there was an attack on Iraq. Do you have any of your own assessments as to the scale of the refugee problem if there is a war?
Mr. Takashima: Studies are under way, but it would be very difficult to estimate exact figures for the situation since it will depend upon the things happening on the field. Therefore, we are now studying various possibilities, but we cannot discuss in an open forum the figures of our studies.
Q: Yesterday in Parliament, Prime Minister Koizumi was asked a question about the economic impact of a war against Iraq on the Japanese economy. His answer was that you would have to be prepared for severe conditions. The dollar is weakening against the yen, which is hurting Japanese exporters. At the same time, there is a lot of concern about oil prices, because about 90% of Japan's oil is from that region, and extra costs that would be forced upon Japanese companies.
Currently, the economy is in a very severe state. In terms of this economic impact, when you consider the impact of an attack, you look at what Japan can do whatever its role might be in the attack or its humanitarian role. In terms of the effect on Japan itself, do you have any idea what it would do to the Japanese economy?
Maybe it is not the specialty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but do you have any assessment or contingency planning in terms of lessening the impact on Japan's economy?
Mr. Takashima: At the budget committee at the House of Councilors of the Japanese Diet, there was a discussion on the impact on the Japanese economy, and the current economic situation, not only in Japan but also on a global scale.
As far as the yen exchange rate to the US dollar is concerned, the Governor of the Bank of Japan simply stated that the exchange rate was something that the markets control, so there is no intention of intervening in the market at the moment.
Other than that, Japan has its own economic situation, and Prime Minister Koizumi urged the Diet to pass the supplemental budget swiftly to deal with this economic problem and once again pledged to continue his policy of reform to realize economic recovery as quickly as possible.
Q: In your discussions with American officials, did you come up with the possible damage to the Japanese economy and the impact on a global scale if Japan's economy were affected heavily? What would the impact be on the world economy? Have you come up with such a potential threat to the world economy? And have you asked the American side to exercise restraint and not to go too fast into war considering the possible damage to the world economy?
Mr. Takashima: I believe the latest contact between Japanese and American officials was the meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Undersecretary of State John Bolton, and other directors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As far as I am aware of, there was no discussion on the economic situation or economic terms. Rather, discussion touched upon the general situation vis-à-vis Iraq as well as North Korea.
Q: Even when you are not mentioning the economic impact, are you nevertheless asking for restraint?
Mr. Takashima: We believe that the United States is not making too hasty a decision, so we just take it as such. We do not think that there is any necessity to disclose further the contents of the contact between Japan and the United States.
Q: Some officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Japanese media that in the case of evacuation, all the citizens in Iraq and the surrounding areas would be given warning two days before an attack on Iraq. This suggests that you have advanced information about possible action. Is it true that the Government of Japan is in a position to obtain such information from the United States?
Mr. Takashima: I am afraid that what you have mentioned is not correct. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently issued an amendment to travel advisories to Japanese nationals residing in the area or visiting the area.
Those who are now staying in Iraq within the city of Baghdad were recommended to take additional caution during their stay and were also advised to get out of Baghdad and Iraq by their own means as soon as possible. For areas other than Baghdad, if there are any Japanese living or staying in those areas, they are recommended to evacuate as quickly as possible from that area. Japanese living in neighboring countries, such as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan among others, are recommended to take additional caution and monitor the change in the situation by themselves by, for example, listening to the broadcasted news.
However, there will be no advanced warning to be given by the Government of Japan unless the Government of Japan receives specific advanced warning from the other nations concerned. We do not anticipate such a situation and are rather advising Japanese nationals staying, living or visiting that area to take additional caution.
Related Information (Japan's Diplomatic Efforts on the Issue of Iraq)
- Question concerning North Korean refugees
Q: I have a question about the North Korean refugees, especially those Japanese nationals who sneak out of North Korea to Japan through China. I understand that the Japanese government had so far protected them indirectly. Now the numbers of those people have been increasing. Do you think the Government of Japan will take action directly to protect them and eventually take legal measures similar to those of the abductees? What are the actions that you will take?
My second question is, when these people are protected by the Government of Japan, are the children and relatives also considered?
Mr. Takashima: On your first question, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday disclosed that it has protected dozens of Japanese nationals and Koreans who had former residency in Japan, being taken to Japan under the protection of various means, including the cooperation extended by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Sometimes the Government of Japan has helped them financially within the framework of our own national budget.
The Government of Japan expressed its intention of studying future possibilities of extending protection to those nationals and Japanese-related citizens.
On the second question about the dependents, we are very concerned about the safety and well-being of the dependents of the Japanese nationals and Japanese-related citizens. We are considering the situation very seriously.
Q: Could you elaborate on the financial support that the Government of Japan has been providing the Japanese nationals who have been involved in the situations that you refer to?
Mr. Takashima: There were some cases in which the Government of Japan provided travel fees and other expenses for those who have had financial difficulties in returning to Japan.
However, I cannot provide further information because it directly relates to the privacy and well-being of the persons concerned.
Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
- Question concerning communications with North Korea
Q: Have you had any recent communications from North Korea through any of your informal channels in response to your offer for a second round of normalization talks? Has there been any contact in the last week?
Mr. Takashima: We have been in touch with North Korea through various channels, both official and unofficial. However, the contacts that we have had with them are unofficial communications, and we cannot disclose the details of these.
What I can confirm is that we are maintaining the channels of communication with them in various forms. With regard to the official discussion with them through the framework of normalization talks and security dialogue, unfortunately, the North Koreans have not agreed to resume the discussion, so we are still waiting for their reply.
Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
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