Press Conference 28 February 2003

1. Exchanges of Notes concerning the Contribution of Supplies and Services of the Armed Forces or Other Similar Entities of France, Germany and New Zealand
2. Emergency Assistance for Earthquake Disaster in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
3. Visit to Japan by President of the Council of State Fidel Castro of the Republic of Cuba
4. Visit to Japan by President of the 57th General Assembly Jan Kavan of the United Nations
5. Questions concerning Special Envoys of the Prime Minister on the Iraq Issue
6. Questions concerning situation in the Republic of Iraq
7. Questions concerning Japan's relations with the People's Republic of China
8. Questions concerning the promotion of tourism in Japan
9. Questions concerning situation in North Korea
10. Questions concerning Japan's asylum policy
11. Questions concerning Yasukuni Shrine
12. Questions concerning Senkaku Islands
13. Questions concerning textbook selection

1. Exchanges of Notes concerning the Contribution of Supplies and Services of the Armed Forces or Other Similar Entities of France, Germany and New Zealand

   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 about the Exchanges of Notes concerning the oil supply in the Indian Ocean from Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the foreign naval vessels operating there in accordance with the war against terrorism.

   The Signings and Exchanges of Notes concerning the Contribution of Supplies and Services to the Armed Forces or Other Similar Entities of France, Germany and New Zealand in accordance with the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law took place today in Tokyo between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, and French Ambassador to Japan Bernard de Favbournet de Montferrand, German Ambassador Henrik Schmiegelow and New Zealand Ambassador Phillip Henry Gibson, respectively.

   In extending assistance to France, Germany and New Zealand under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, these Notes are exchanged to guarantee, in relation to the Three Principles on Arms Exports and other policy guidelines, that the supplies and services to these countries will be utilized consistently with the Charter of the United Nations and that they will not be transferred to third parties without the prior consent of the Government of Japan.

   Related Information (Exchanges of Notes concerning the Contribution of Supplies and Services to the Armed Forces or Other Similar Entities of France, Germany and New Zealand)
   
2. Emergency assistance for Earthquake Disaster in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the emergency assistance to the People's Republic of China in relation to the earthquake that happened in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

   The Government of Japan decided to extend grant aid totaling about 30 million yen, consisting of emergency grant aid of 150,000 dollars and emergency assistance in kind (such as 40 tents, 1,200 blankets among others) equivalent to about 12.7 million yen in total, to the Government of the People's Republic of China, which has sustained damage in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

   The earthquake happened on 24 February, and we understand that there were 266 fatalities, 2,050 seriously injured, over 2,000 slightly injured, 8,865 houses destroyed, and 33,000 persons afflicted.

   The Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view, taking into account the seriousness of the disaster and the friendly relations between Japan and China.

   Related Information (Emergency Assistance for Earthquake Disaster in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China)
   
3. Visit to Japan by President of the Council of State Fidel Castro of the Republic of Cuba

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the visit to Japan of President of the Council of State Fidel Castro of the Republic of Cuba.

   President Castro will be visiting Japan from 1 to 3 March. During his stay in Japan, he will be meeting with officials of the Government of Japan and also some politicians in Tokyo before going to Hiroshima on 2 March. He will be leaving Japan from Hiroshima.

   Related Information (Japan-Cuba Relations)
   
4. Visit to Japan by President of the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations Jan Kavan

   Mr. Takashima: The fourth announcement is about the visit to Japan of the President of the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations Jan Kavan.

   Mr. Jan Kavan, a former Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, will be visiting Japan from 9 to 12 March. During his stay in Japan, he will be meeting with Japanese officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, and is also scheduled to visit Hiroshima before leaving Japan.

   Related Information (Japan and the United Nations)
   
5. Questions concerning Special Envoys of the Prime Minister on the Iraq Issue

   Q: Has it already been announced about the Special Envoys of the Prime Minister on the Iraqi issue?

   Mr. Takashima: We already made an announcement yesterday, but I would like to repeat that the Government of Japan is dispatching Special Envoys to the Republic of Iraq and neighboring countries in order to make additional efforts forward resolving the issue concerning Iraq peacefully and diplomatically. The Special Envoys are leaving Japan over the weekend, and they will be meeting various officials in the countries concerned. We are very hopeful that the efforts of these Special Envoys, in particular Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi's visit to Iraq, will make Iraq change its mind and to adhere to and comply with all the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including disarming all its weapons of mass destruction.

   Q: Could you tell us the names of the officials that the Special Envoys are scheduled to meet, especially Mr. Motegi who will visit Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: We are now making requests to the Government of Iraq, so names have not been finalized yet, but we are hopeful that high senior officials will be able to meet with Mr. Motegi and listen to what Japan has to say to them.

   Q: Is there any possibility that Mr. Motegi will be meeting with President Saddam Hussein or other leaders of Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: As I have said, it is up to the Government of Iraq. Therefore, we have to wait and see.

   Q: Are all the Special Envoys leaving at the same time, and how long will their visits be?

   Mr. Takashima: Each of them will be visiting their designated countries for several days. While their departure dates are different, sometime over the weekend, they will all be coming back hopefully by 10 March.

   Q: So before then, there will be no war?

   Mr. Takashima: We do hope that there is no war.

   Related Information (Special Envoys of the Prime Minister on Iraq Issue)
   
6. Questions concerning situation in the Republic of Iraq

   Q: What is the position of the Government of Japan on the joint resolution of the United States and the United Kingdom? Do you support the American effort for a war against Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: We have expressed our support of the draft resolution presented to the UN Security Council by the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain, because we think that this draft resolution represents another effort to unify the international voice vis-á-vis Iraq to make it adhere with and comply to all the UN Security Council resolutions. What is necessary at this moment among the international community is that we take a unified stance to disarm Iraq and make it change its attitude, which has been quite contrary to the wishes of the international community during the past twelve years.

   Q: What is the role that Japan is going to play in post-war Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: It is rather hypothetical to assume that there will be a war between anyone and Iraq. If such a situation should become a reality, then we would do our best to firstly assist the possible refugees from Iraq and neighboring countries. For the reconstruction or rehabilitation of a post-war Iraq, considerations are still ongoing. We will have to make up our own plan when the situation arises, because there are so many unknown and unexpected factors involved. It is very difficult for us at this moment to make any sort of definite or concrete plan for it.

   Q: What do you think about the possibility of Saddam Hussein himself leaving Iraq to avoid war?

   Mr. Takashima: If President Hussein decided to step down from his post and Iraq became once again a responsible member of the international community, we would welcome it.

   Related Information (Japan's Diplomatic Efforts on the Issue of Iraq)
   
7. Question concerning Japan's relations with the People's Republic of China

   Q: The new government of China will take office this March. Do you have any expectations from them?

   Mr. Takashima: We are very hopeful that the relations between Japan and China will move forward with the new leadership of China when it is elected to its positions during the People's Assembly there.

   The relations between China and Japan have become very good, especially with last year having been the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of the relations between our two countries. Based upon that, through many happy commemorative occasions, Japan and China reaffirmed their intention for further improvement of the relations. This will be realized through efforts on both sides. Specifically, the exchange of people as well as the strengthening economic relations between our two countries will help to reach the goal of betterment of relations.

   Q: On the two recent bomb attacks at universities in Beijing. Is the Government of Japan sending any warnings to its nationals and those traveling to the many parts of China, especially Beijing?

   Mr. Takashima: We issued a kind of spot information to notify the Japanese nationals residing in and visiting China that those two unfortunate incidents occurred in Beijing. However, it is not a warning but rather just some information disseminated to them in order to help them understand the situation. There is no intention to stop or hinder Japanese visitors or residents from doing whatever they wish to.

   Q: Was the notification issued right after the attacks?

   Mr. Takashima: They were issued right after we received full account of the incidents.

   Q: Does the Japanese Government have any plan to enter into joint efforts with the Chinese Government on various security issues, such as anti-human trafficking or anti-smuggling?

   Mr. Takashima: We have been cooperating with each other in various international fora to make this world much safer, and promotion of human security is one of the major concerns of the Government of Japan. We have been continuing the dialogue with the Government of China. On the precise issues, I do not have any specific information at the time, but in general, I am able to say that we have been in close touch with China and we have been making joint efforts.

   Q: There were newspaper reports last year in Hong Kong that there were officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joining an organization of Taiwanese spies against Beijing. Does Japan have such contact with Taiwan?

   Mr. Takashima: You may be aware that Japan has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan because our basic stance is the "One China" policy. Taiwan is a part of one China. Based on that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would not do anything as such with members of the administration of Taiwan.

   Q: China has announced that it will launch its first manned spaceship by the end of this year. Recently, a Japanese scholar wrote an article that such a plan could be part of China's efforts in developing its missile self-defense capacity. Are there any concerns by the Government of Japan over China's expansion of its capacity in space?

   Mr. Takashima: We do not have any objections if China develops a peaceful use of its space technology. We wish them the best success for a possible launch of a manned spacecraft. However, we do not want to see China develop military capability which would threaten other parts of the world. Thus, we hope that China will maintain the basic policy of being a nation which loves peace.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
8. Questions concerning the promotion of tourism in Japan

   Q: In light of the fact that the relationship between Japan and China is getting better, since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a part of that, will Japan consider granting visa free access to people from Hong Kong?

   Mr. Takashima: We appreciate the Chinese decision to maintain two systems in one nation and that the people of Hong Kong still enjoy their economic dynamism. Particularly, through the economic relations between Japan and Hong Kong, we believe that our existing relations are very good, and will be maintained and further improved.

   On assistance to Hong Kong, if there is any necessity to provide it for humanitarian needs or such, we would take those factors into consideration, but at the moment, I have no information that I could give regarding the specific assistance to Hong Kong.

   Q: I read in the newspapers that Prime Minister Koizumi gave a speech in January saying that he wants to further develop Japanese tourism, in which Hong Kong tourists make up one tenth of all the tourists visiting Japan. I guess that may be one of the proposals of the Prime Minister's plan to stimulate the economy of Japan. So are there any specific proposals?

   Mr. Takashima: Thank you for mentioning it, because the promotion of tourism and inflow of tourists to Japan is one of the major target projects that the Government of Japan is trying to achieve in 2003 and years after. Tourism is something that has been an uncultivated area or an unexplored industry as far as the Japanese economy is concerned.

   Therefore, Prime Minister Koizumi and his Cabinet decided to promote tourism as part of their economic recovery policy. To achieve economic recovery, we are promoting tourism by sending special messages to the world and making further efforts to attract tourists to Japan through various means.

   Since Hong Kong is one of the most prosperous areas in this part of the world, it is one of the main targets of our promotional efforts, so I expect that the people in Hong Kong will have their ears and eyes open to the Japanese call to come to and enjoy Japan.

   Q: Put in a more diplomatic way then, Japan is practicing a more proactive approach to getting more Hong Kong people to come. This issue already made progress a while ago, when a three-year visa was granted to Hong Kong residents.

   Mr. Takashima: I do not know much about the current details of visa arrangements between Japan and Hong Kong, but the question of visas in allowing tourists to come into Japan more easily remains the main policy consideration under study by the Government of Japan. Therefore, with those sorts of measures and others, once again, I would like to reiterate that the people of Hong Kong are one of the major targets, and we would like to get as many as possible to come to Japan. In addition, we would like to promote the merits of visiting Japan more to the people in your area as well as other parts of the world.

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9. Questions concerning situation in North Korea

   Q: According to some sources, North Korea has been developing and testing its ballistic missile technology. Has the Government of Japan confirmed such information, and what is its reaction?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan has no information to that effect. We would like to reiterate our position that North Korea should adhere to all the international commitments that it has made, including the Japan-Democratic People's Republic of Korea Pyongyang Declaration, in which North Korea declared and promised to extend its moratorium on testing ballistic missiles in and after 2003.

   Q: Compared with the recent movement of North Korea, does the Government of Japan consider Iraq or North Korea a more urgent issue?

   Mr. Takashima: We are very concerned about the escalation of the so-called war of words by the North Koreans as well as the escalation of the tension. At the same time, we believe that this issue should be handled very carefully and calmly, as we do not want to provoke or agitate North Korea unnecessarily. We are still urging North Korea to stop taking this kind of action and return to its original position of keeping a freeze on the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon, stopping and dismantling in a visible and verifiable way the new nuclear development program using enriched uranium, and also maintaining a moratorium on missile tests.

   Q: The situation on the Korean Peninsula is becoming the main concern of Japan. I read that the Minister of Defense said that Japan would launch the first attack on North Korea if it thinks that North Korea was going to do the same thing. It has been reported that North Korea is stepping up its efforts to develop its nuclear weapons. Are there any extensive measures that you will take to deal with this problem? Do you think that this crisis will have any negative impact on the normalization talks between Japan and North Korea?

   Mr. Takashima: To answer the last part of your questions, we are very hopeful that North Korea will come forward to resume the negotiations between Japan and North Korea. However, unfortunately, the North Koreans have not shown any intentions yet of resuming the negotiations. We are still urging them to come back to the negotiating table through various channels.

   To answer the first part, Minister of Defense Shigeru Ishiba was answering questions of a very hypothetical nature, and he tried to explain the Japanese stand on the right to self-defense. Since Japan, as a sovereign nation, has a right to defend itself, if another nation clearly shows signs of attack, we would not stand idly by and accept any sort of attack. We can take the necessary measures which are within the framework of our Constitution. It is a matter of what the clear sign would be that attack is being prepared and is imminent. On that part of the whole story, he was not asked and he did not discuss anything.

   Q: Do you still think that it is possible for Japan to launch the first attack?

   Mr. Takashima: We do not have any plans to make any sort of preemptive attack, or the first attack so to speak. Japan's military posture is always defensive. There is no offensive posture in our defense policy.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
10. Questions concerning Japan's asylum policy

    Q: Yesterday, there was a report saying that the Government of Japan is going to relax its asylum policy for people from mainland China and North Korea.

    Mr. Takashima: It is not only limited to people from those countries.

    Q: Does it also apply to all the people who are already staying in Japan?

    Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan is considering an amendment of the existing law regarding the acceptance of refugees. The study is now under way at the Ministry of Justice. My understanding is that they are considering extending the period of application: Currently, it is 60 days, and there is a good possibility that it may be extended to months.

    In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already requested in the new fiscal year budget to make some special arrangements to provide housing to refugees and asylum applicants residing in Japan who may have difficulty finding shelter. We would provide housing for and take necessary measures to maintain the daily life of those who are awaiting the results of their application for asylum or refugee status.

    Q: I have heard that the extension is from 60 days to 6 months?

    Mr. Takashima: That has not been officially announced yet, but that is a good possibility.

    Q: Where are the people seeking asylum here in Japan from? Are they mostly Chinese, or what nationality are they?

    Mr. Takashima: Not necessarily, because there are Afghan applicants and people from other parts of the world.

11. Questions concerning Yasukuni Shrine

    Q: I understand that the Japanese want to have better relations with China, but somehow Prime Minister Koizumi went to worship the war criminals again this year. How would you explain that to the Chinese people? Is it not conflicting to say that on the one hand, you want to improve relations while on the other, you go to worship such war criminals?

    Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine not because it worships war criminals. In his mind, Yasukuni Shrine represents the place to make a pledge for eternal peace by commemorating all the war dead, including his own ancestors. He has been trying to explain his real motivation for why he visits Yasukuni Shrine to various people, including the leaders of China. We will continue to explain and ask for the understanding of what Prime Minister Koizumi really means by paying a visit to the Shrine.

    Q: We have heard that there is a new plan for a memorial for people who fought and died in war other than war criminals. There is a committee to consider how to separate the two. Is it going on right now?

    Mr. Takashima: An advisory group to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda has recently made a report to him on the possible construction of a new national war memorial. This is still under consideration by the members of the Cabinet and especially by Mr. Fukuda. No decision has been made yet.

    Q: Will that sound better?

    Mr. Takashima: According to the recommendations presented by that group, the new national war memorial should be non-religious and be a place to worship eternal peace. Such factors are always taken very heavily into consideration of the feasibility of constructing such a place. However, no site has been chosen, and no budget has been formulated. It is on paper and is still under consideration.

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12. Questions concerning Senkaku Islands

    Q: Some people in Hong Kong still want to buy a big boat and go to the Diaoyu Islands and fight for the sovereignty of the Islands. How is the Japanese Government going to solve this problem?

    Mr. Takashima: We have always claimed that the islands are part of Japanese territory historically, and it is also internationally recognized. To that extent, we simply believe that no other claim stands.

    To resolve the territorial issues, we do not want any confrontation with the neighboring countries or have any sort of armed conflict or a violent situation for the resolution of these questions. We would like to resolve the issue peacefully and diplomatically and seek the understanding and recognition by the nations concerned.

    Q: There was news saying that you are going to continue to lease the island from the owners of the island in March?

    Mr. Takashima: This is the decision by the Government and that is the ongoing policy. We have no plans of changing it.

    Q: Do you think that the problem of the Diaoyu Islands and other territorial problems will hinder the relationship between Japan and China in the future?

    Mr. Takashima: It is very unfortunate that we still have that problem unresolved. We very much hope that the Chinese side would understand and recognize the history and international law. However, the relations between Japan and China have been growing steadily and becoming bigger. In fact, last year, among the importation of goods and services from various countries to Japan, Chinese products, and goods and services came in first place exceeding imports from the United States. With such economic relations and also people exchanges, as well as further improvement of the diplomatic relations between our two countries, we believe that Japan and China will be able to overcome those sorts of issues.

    Related Information (Basic View on Senkaku 1972)
    
13. Questions concerning textbook selection

    Q: About the textbooks used in Japan on World War II, it is said that some textbooks describe the war inadequately. They use terms such as that there was not a significant number involved in the Nanjing Massacre. Has this been changing recently? Are there any plans to make changes to the textbooks? Do you think that the responsibility of the textbook design should be with the Government of Japan?

    Mr. Takashima: The selection procedure for the textbooks used in schools in Japan is as follows: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has a special board to select the textbooks in order to avoid choosing textbooks that contain any sort of errors or omissions. However, it is not that there is just one selected textbook for one curriculum or one single subject. There are several at the least. The actual selection for the usage in the classroom is a matter of each educational committee in each prefecture or area in Japan. The Government of Japan has no say in which book will be selected or used.

    Concerning your reference to the history textbooks, the selected ones are chosen because they are accepted as the ones that have no mistakes in the content and are deemed suitable to be used in the classroom.

    Q: Are there any indications or guidelines from the Government?

    Mr. Takashima: There is no policy as such of involvement by the Government of Japan. Textbooks are always selected based on academic standards.

    Q: Do you not think that the Government should take a more responsible attitude toward it since it concerns educating the young generation? Is it not important that they have a correct sense of history, especially the figures? I think there have been some voices from China, Hong Kong and Korea about how the factual reports are not completely correct in the textbooks. I think if the Government played a more active role in telling the publishers to put it right, then the next generation will understand what really happened. Some of the perceptions that I got when we talked to some university students about the history of Japan, they seemed to be not so clear about what happened at that time.

    Mr. Takashima: If that were the case, I would assume that education itself has to be reviewed. As far as the textbooks are concerned, they are selected through the set procedure which is an academic undertaking. Since education is within the framework of the Constitution of Japan, which protects the rights and the freedom of expression and freedom of education, there is no governmental interference in the education arena. As far as Japanese school education and textbooks are concerned, they are kept within that philosophy of the Japanese Constitution.

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