Press Conference 7 February 2003

1. Emergency Assistance for Flood Disaster in the Republic of Madagascar
2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Chyun Dai Chul, Special Envoy of President-elect Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea
3. Visit to Japan by Secretary-General Javier Solana of the Council of the European Union
4. Strategic dialogue between Japan and the United States of America
5. Visit to Japan by President Hamid Karzai of the Transnational Administration of Afghanistan
6. Question concerning statement by North Korea
7. Question concerning visit to the United States by Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi

1. Emergency Assistance for Flood Disaster in the Republic of Madagascar

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

   The first announcement is about the emergency humanitarian aid to the island nation of Madagascar.

   In view of the fact that the Republic of Madagascar has been suffering from heavy damage caused by exceptionally heavy rains and floods, the Government of Japan decided today to extend emergency assistance in kind equivalent to about 12,650,000 yen (slightly more than US$100,000.00) comprising water tanks, plastic sheets, water purifiers, and electricity generators among other things.

   The Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for the victims and in light of the friendly relations between our two countries.

   Related Information (Emergency Assistance to Madagascar for Flood Disaster)
   
2. Visit to Japan by Mr. Chyun Dai Chul, Special Envoy of President-elect Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is on the visit by the Special Envoy of President-elect Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea.

   The Special Envoy of President-elect Roh Moo Hyun, Mr. Chyun Dai Chul, has arrived in Tokyo today and will be staying in Tokyo until 9 February. During his stay here, he will be meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, and exchange views on the future of Japan-Republic of Korea relations and policy toward North Korea.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
3. Visit to Japan by Secretary-General Javier Solana of the Council of the European Union

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is on the visit of Secretary-General Javier Solana of the Council of the European Union.

   Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Dr. Javier Solana will be visiting Japan from 9 to 10 February.

   During his stay here, he will be meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kawaguchi and Minister of Defense Shigeru Ishiba.

   Related Information (Japan-EU Relations)
   
4. Strategic dialogue between Japan and the United States of America

   Mr. Takashima: The fourth announcement is on the strategic dialogue between Japan and the United States of America.

   The next round of strategic dialogue between Japan and the United States will be held in Washington, D.C., on 9 and 10 February. From the Japanese side, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi will be attending. He will meet with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
5. Visit to Japan by President Hamid Karzai of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan

   Mr. Takashima: The last announcement is another visit by a foreign dignitary. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, will be visiting Japan from 20 to 23 February at the invitation of the Government of Japan.

   During his stay in Japan, President Karzai will exchange views with the leaders of the Government of Japan, including Prime Minister Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kawaguchi, and attend and deliver a keynote speech at the Tokyo Conference on Consolidation of Peace in Afghanistan, which commemorates the first anniversary of the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan held in Tokyo in January 2002.

   These are all the announcements that I have to make. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan of Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan)
   
6. Question concerning statement by North Korea

   Q: I would like to ask about North Korea's statement yesterday, and also apparently on BBC Radio the day before, on their intention that they would consider a preemptive strike on the US or the Republic of Korea if the US increases its forces. It was not very clear what they were talking about, but it appears that they are going to the next level in the conflict in words. What is Japan's reading or understanding of what North Korea means by what it is saying now? What is Japan's reaction to that?

   Mr. Takashima: We are well aware of the escalation of the words or the brinkmanship of the North Korean regime. We urge North Korea to stop this kind of war of words and come back to the negotiation table and at the same time dismantle their nuclear weapons development program, reinstate the freeze on their nuclear reactor and reprocessing plant at Yongbyon, and allow international inspectors to return to the site.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
7. Question concerning visit to the United States by Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeuchi

   Q: On Vice-Foreign Minister Takeuchi's visit to the United States this weekend, what will be the main message he will be taking with him?

   Mr. Takashima: This is a regular consultation between Japan and the United States, mainly on security issues. This time, certainly he will discuss the situation regarding North Korea and also the Republic of Iraq. This is, as I have said, a regular consultation, so the aim is to deepen mutual understanding of the strategic thinking of both countries and coordinate policies. What sort of discussion will actually be held remains to be seen.

   Taking advantage of this opportunity, the trilateral dialogue including Japan, the United States and the Commonwealth of Australia will also be held in Washington.

   No more questions? Thank you very much.

   Related Information (Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements)
   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   Related Information (Japan's Diplomatic Efforts on the Issue of Iraq)