Press Conference 22 March 2003
- Questions concerning Japan's support
- Questions concerning reports on casualties and damage
- Questions concerning Iraqi diplomats
- Questions concerning opposition protests in Arab countries
- Questions concerning United Nations Security Council resolutions
- Questions concerning North Korea
- Questions concerning assistance to neighboring countries of Iraq
- Questions concerning Japan's contribution to reconstruction
- Question concerning reactions in European countries
- Questions concerning weapons of mass destruction
- Questions concerning role of the United Nations
- Questions concerning Japan's support for military action
- Follow-up questions concerning North Korea
- Questions concerning Japan's support
Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to this special briefing.
I have no announcements to make so I would be happy to take any questions you may have.
Q: On military action, what form of support can Japan extend to the American forces in the Republic of Iraq in practical forms other than political gestures?
Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made it clear that the Government of Japan is supporting the decision by the United States of America and the military action taken by the Americans, the British and others. However, at the same time, Japan made it very clear that it cannot participate in any military action using its Self-Defense forces because of the constraint stemming from the Constitution. On the other hand, Japan would provide whatever it can to contribute to this international effort to disarm President Saddam Hussein, namely, by assisting the international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to have rescue operations for the refugees and also to assist the people of neighboring countries of Iraq, namely Jordanians and also Palestinians to cope with economic hardships that they may have to face. The Government of Japan also made it very clear that Japan would be willing to contribute as much as possible to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of postwar Iraq.
In addition to that, five doctors from Japan are already in the Arab Republic of Syria to assist medical operations to help the refugees and these five doctors would be followed by another group of doctors and nurses to be dispatched later.
Q: Did the Government of Japan indicate a certain amount which they are going to extend?
Mr. Takashima: We are making a study but since we do not know what sort of consequences or damage Iraq would have after this military operation, we have to wait and see how much we should pay for the assistance of postwar rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. As far as the immediate and emergency economic assistance to the Jordanians and Palestinians is concerned, we have been in touch with them and are in the final stage of our study. That assistance will be announced hopefully sometime next week.
Q: Perhaps some people are thinking that Japan has to extend a huge amount comparable to the case of the Gulf War. The Republic of Korea thinks that it knows American psychology, so they have already extended that they will send one engineering battalion, and that is all that it can do. It looks so far that America is satisfied.
Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Koizumi and President George W. Bush had a telephone conversation yesterday, in which President Bush expressed his appreciation of Prime Minister Koizumi's support as well as willingness to contribute to the reconstruction of postwar Iraq. We believe that our strong intention and will to assist the international effort is fairly well known by the other countries.
The amount of money which you indicated is the past track record of Japan of making financial contributions of huge amounts of money made available to international funds as a necessary contribution to the multilateral operation at the time of the Gulf War, for which we contributed US$13 billion. This time around, since our budget is tight and the Government of Japan is suffering from a huge deficit, I am afraid that our ability to assist is rather limited compared to the time when the Gulf War occurred.
Q: Have you explained that to the United States and have you had any reaction to that explanation?
Mr. Takashima: We have had a series of consultations and discussions with the United States and they know our financial situation as well as our will to assist. As I have said, the American side is appreciative of what we are studying and what we are doing.
Q: So you are not expecting a replay of the 1991 Gulf War in which it was said that Japanese contribution was "too little, too late?"
Mr. Takashima: I still do not believe that it was "too little, too late." We made a contribution of the significant amount of money in time. At the time of the Gulf War, a special taxation was imposed for every Japanese national which was calculated on average to be 10,000 yen. So it was a huge amount of money and the Japanese public actually bore the burden of assisting the international effort to resolve the Gulf crisis situation then. Now, even though there is economic hardship, we will still try our best.
Q: What are you doing differently? You are suggesting that there was a misunderstanding last time. But what are you doing differently this time so that you not face the same international misunderstanding?
Mr. Takashima: We are being more forthcoming and our responses have been quick. We have been much more responsive. I do believe that the efforts by the Government of Japan is much more well known than on the previous occasion.
Q: So even though you are actually probably going to do less financially and personnel-wise, you expect not to get criticized as much?
Mr. Takashima: As far as personnel and these sorts of projects are concerned, the Government of Japan is doing much more than what we had done during the time of the Gulf War, because since then, legislation has been made for the activation of the participation by Japanese Self-Defense forces in various activities. Since last year, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force has been participating in the war against terrorism in the Indian Ocean, mainly in the war in Afghanistan. Those are new things compared to the days of the Gulf War. So we are being very actively involved.
Q: Last time, in 1991, if I recall correctly, the US did want personnel to be sent as a backup. But this time, they have not asked for personnel. Is that right?
Mr. Takashima: They are aware of what we can do and what we will do. We are making our decision by our own means and considerations. We are considering everything that we can do and making a study of how we can assist reconstruction work, not only on a financial basis but in terms of manpower. Also, as I have said, emergency relief teams would be dispatched; some of them are already in that region and others will follow. These are the new things.
Q: But there is no Self-Defense Force (SDF) personnel involved in this?
Mr. Takashima: Not at this moment.
Q: Is it being considered?
Mr. Takashima: It is being considered.
Q: What sort of personnel is being considered?
Mr. Takashima: For various things such as peace-keeping operations for one thing. Such things are under study.
Q: After the conflict is over, not during?
Mr. Takashima: After the conflict is over.
Q: Last time, there was request while the conflict was going on for backup, medics and those sorts of things. Is that correct?
Mr. Takashima: There is still a study going on to assist the rescue operations for the refugees even using the Self-Defense forces, so it may occur even while the armed conflict is going on, but that is only a part of our consideration. Another thing is our refueling operation in the Indian Ocean where the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels are assisting the international effort to cope with terrorism by making fuel available to the navies of eight nations. This is one good example of what we are doing by using our own defense capability.
Q: Do you have any insights into why in 1991, the US wanted backup support personnel for the conflict, whereas this time around, the US has not expressed interest in that?
Mr. Takashima: I would not say that the US has not expressed any sort of interest. Actually, we have been consulting with them very closely and they know what we are able to do and they know what they would like to see us doing.
Q: Would they like to see you doing that, but it is Japanese domestic political constraints that are preventing it?
Mr. Takashima: Of course, domestic politics is a very important factor when we make a judgment. At the same time, we are trying our best to cope with the situation with whatever the available means would be.
Q: So if the Japanese public would support some sort of military backup personnel, the Government would send them?
Mr. Takashima: According to the result of a public opinion survey, the majority of the Japanese are very much in favor of seeing Japanese Self-Defense forces making a contribution to the international effort to help, not in combat operations or military action itself, but assisting peace-keeping operations. This is something that I would say we have been developing as a result of the Gulf War experience.
Q: Does Japan expect in return for its support in the war some good projects in Iraq for Japanese companies?
Mr. Takashima: We are not interested in having any sort of lion's share from this effort. Rather, we are sincerely hoping that our contribution is for the betterment of the life of the Iraqi people.
Q: Are you hoping that an active support for the US will then translate into the US actively supporting Japan's interest in this region?
Mr. Takashima: The reason why we support the US now is not a matter of expectation but a matter of trust between Japan and the United States as members of alliance.
Related Information (Press Conference by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi)
Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
Related Information (Counter Terrorism)
- Questions concerning reports on casualties and damage
Q: Do you have any idea of the numbers of casualties? We have heard through the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and other TV stations that so far general fighting is going on, but there is no specific figure for the casualties. Do you have any specific information, for instance, on the plane that was shot down or similar incidents?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have any independent sources of information. I just heard through the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that two Royal Navy helicopters collided.
Q: I saw a report on Arabic television in which they showed that American missiles hit some museums and old buildings in Iraq. Do you think that this kind of damage is expected and is it accepted by the Government of Japan which is supporting the war?
Mr. Takashima: I have not seen any report of missiles hitting a museum. However, I saw the television report saying that a missile damaged a part of the presidential palace in Iraq which has been used as a guesthouse for dignitaries. An official of the Ministry of Information of Iraq claimed that that was a historical building.
Q: Is Japan disappointed about this sort of thing?
Mr. Takashima: We made it very clear not only to the public but also to the President of the United States that we would like to see this military action be concluded as quickly as possible with minimum civilian casualties, and we are still hoping for that.
Q: When you say minimum, how many people dead would Japan accept as a result of this war?
Mr. Takashima: If this war can make it with no civilian casualties, that would be the ideal situation we would like to see.
Q: Does this mean that Japan might interfere in the strategy of military operations? Will Japan ask America to change some means of operations?
Mr. Takashima: President Bush understands what the Government of Japan has been asking for and praying for because he responded to Prime Minister Koizumi's call in saying that this operation would be executed with minimum casualties among innocent people, when they had their telephone conversation yesterday.
- Questions concerning Iraqi diplomats
Q: There were some reports suggesting that America asked or ordered its allies to close the Iraqi embassies and expel the Iraqi diplomats? When is Japan going to respond to this request?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have any comment on that except to say that the external relations are a matter of the decision of the Government of Japan. The Embassy of Iraq is still in operation here.
Q: Has the US requested you to close it?
Mr. Takashima: We have had communication with the United States, but we do not make any comments on the content of the communication between Japan and the US on this matter. We recognize that White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said that the Government of the United States wanted all the embassies of Iraq in various countries to be closed, and the diplomats to be expelled.
Q: There have been some reports that the US has been trying to encourage Iraqi diplomats to abandon their government, and leave the country and seek asylum. Has Japan been involved in that effort or have you been requested to assist in that?
Mr. Takashima: We have no information as such. My understanding is that the Government of the United States is still urging the Iraqi leadership to leave their country.
- Questions concerning opposition protests in Arab countries
Q: There have been a lot of protests against the American war. Are you concerned that this will affect your relations with Arab countries, Muslim countries or oil-producing countries?
Mr. Takashima: We are aware that there is a widespread anti-war sentiment, not only in this country but in various countries including countries in the Arab world, but we hope that they would understand the meaning, significance and reason for this military action. It is completely based upon the things that President Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime have done vis-à-vis weapons of mass destruction.
Q: Except certain countries, most in the Gulf are against all countries participating in the alliance. Does Japan have any policy to do some damage control for its reputation in the Arabic nations as a country known to be a pro-Arab, peace-loving country, but now is going along with the American wars, in Afghanistan and now in Iraq? Does the Government of Japan have any policy to reconstruct its image in the Middle East?
Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan believes that peace and stability in the Middle East is vital for the peace and security of the world, and for Japan as well. We will try our best to assist any effort to promote the peace and stability and also the improvement of the living standards in that area to provide more prosperity in economic terms by whatever means we have. For that reason, we have decided to give emergency assistance to Jordanians and Palestinians in the wake of this war in Iraq. It is not limited to that. Japan is very much willing to participate in the international effort to bring about peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and promote better understanding with the Islamic world through personal and cultural exchanges.
Q: Are you planning anything above and beyond Jordanians and Palestinians in terms of promoting cultural exchanges and that sort of things? Is there anything new because of this conflict that Japan is doing?
Mr. Takashima: We have been doing it since the days of former Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono who introduced the promotion of the dialogue between Japan and the Islamic world. We would continue and accelerate that effort.
Related Information (Toward peace and stability in the Middle East (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs))
- Questions concerning United Nations Security Council resolutions
Q: Why does Japan think that military action is necessary? Why does Japan not think that the diplomatic efforts should have been continued for a longer period?
Mr. Takashima: As we have repeatedly said, the Government of Iraq was given the final chance to comply with all the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions to disarm itself, but they failed to comply with them.
Q: But they said that they were complying, according to their statements.
Mr. Takashima: They have been saying so for twelve years and yet they have not disarmed. They were given the last opportunity to do so last November by UN Security Resolution 1441. Since then, the inspectors have reported that Iraq was not actively cooperating with the inspections.
Q: Do you not think that not actively cooperating is different from not cooperating?
Mr. Takashima: You cannot wait forever for the Iraqi regime to change its mind. They did not respond positively even though there was very heavy military pressure, and they were given the last opportunity of a 48 hours' duration for the leadership to leave the country, and still they did not comply with that. So that was a failure on the Iraqi side.
Q: Does that not suggest that they do not have any arms of mass destruction, because if they did, they could use them but so far they have not introduced anything?
Mr. Takashima: Although there has been no confirmation yet, there was a report that two SCUD missiles have been fired. If that is true, it is a clear violation by Iraq.
Q: I understand, however, that SCUD missiles are not weapons of mass destruction, right?
Mr. Takashima: However, it was one of the many items UN Security Council Resolution 687 clearly stated.
Q: Is there any concern that those weapons of mass destruction that the Japanese Government believes exist may be sold or distributed in this region?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have any information as such, but we are very much concerned about the possible dissemination of those weapons of mass destruction to happen if we allow that sort of continued non-compliance situation.
Q: I understand that during the discussions of the second resolution proposed by the United States at the UN Security Council, Japan tried to lobby for the United States to convince non-permanent members including some African countries to vote in favor of it? Did Japan raise during these negotiations with these countries, the official development assistance (ODA) policy, as to change the policy if they did not vote for it?
Mr. Takashima: We did not mention any sort of increase of the amount of ODA. The reason why we urged them to vote positively for the second resolution was that we thought and believed that the second resolution would show more solidarity of the international community to Iraq, and give them more diplomatic pressure to comply with the resolution which calls for disarmament.
Q: Since it was not passed, does it mean that there was no solidarity?
Mr. Takashima: Unfortunately, there was a split amongst the members of the UN Security Council. We do regret it and we are disappointed, but at least, 40 or more countries in the world are supporting or assisting the effort. In addition, this military action is based upon Resolution 1441 which was adopted unanimously last November. We hope that this military action would not increase the difference in opinions.
Q: I do not see any sentence in Resolution 1441 suggesting that there may be war. It mentions consequences but it does not imply war and that is why there is a split in the international community. Is that not right?
Mr. Takashima: It reminded of past resolutions including 687 and 678. In particular, Resolution 678 called for any necessary means including military action.
- Questions concerning North Korea
Q: That leads again to the Korean Peninsula and North Korea where they similarly have weapons of mass destruction. Is this a concern?
Mr. Takashima: We are very much concerned of the deeds of the North Korean government in that regard. So we are urging them not to do that sort of things.
Q: Why take a different approach? You do not support military intervention in North Korea, but you do support it in Iraq. What is the difference?
Mr. Takashima: We do not think that this is an appropriate time to apply military pressure or take military action vis-à-vis the situation in North Korea. Rather, it can be resolved diplomatically and peacefully.
Q: Why do you think that the situation in North Korea can be solved diplomatically when you did not think so for the situation in Iraq?
Mr. Takashima: As far as the Iraqi situation is concerned, it took twelve years to come to this point. With regard to the North Korean situation, only months have passed, and we have been in touch with North Korea and urging them to comply, so we are giving diplomacy a chance.
Q: What sort of time frame do you expect?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have a deadline or a time frame set.
Q: President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation said that he was concerned that the events in Iraq would make it more difficult or complicated to arrive at a diplomatic solution on the Korean Peninsula. Do you agree with that?
Mr. Takashima: We do not believe that the Iraqi situation and the North Korean situation are directly connected to each other. They should be handled separately.
Q: There are clearly indirect connections, are there not? How are they connected?
Mr. Takashima: I do not share that sort of argument or participate in that sort of discussion.
Q: Do you disagree with President Putin?
Mr. Takashima: I do not think that directly or indirectly the situation in Iraq is connected to the one in North Korea.
Q: Do you not think that it will impact diplomacy?
Mr. Takashima: We still very much hope that Chairman Kim Jong Il of North Korea would act as a responsible member of the international community.
Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
- Questions concerning assistance to neighboring countries of Iraq
Q: With regard to assistance, are you considering giving assistance apart from to the Jordanians and Palestinians?
Mr. Takashima: If the necessity arises we will consider it. At this moment, however, we thought that Jordanians and Palestinians would be hardest hit, so we chose them as the first recipients of our assistance.
Q: Are there other donor countries that are giving special assistance in the wake of the Iraq war to these two countries and are you coordinating with them? Is it a multilateral effort or is it only bilateral?
Mr. Takashima: I think that international organizations are doing their own work and we are coordinating our effort with others. I do not know if there are other countries that are doing the same thing as we are.
Q: Has the US particularly asked you to do this?
Mr. Takashima: We have decided this by our own judgments.
Q: In discussion with the United States?
Mr. Takashima: The United States has been informed of our intention.
Q: Have you finalized the amount of the assistance to the Kingdom of Jordan yet?
Mr. Takashima: We are in the last stage of finalizing arrangements and hopefully it will be announced sometime next week.
Q: How about Syria? Is it not expecting a lot of refugees?
Mr. Takashima: Aid to Syria is a possibility. However, at the moment, we are dispatching personnel instead of sending financial assistance to them.
Q: Are you discussing financial assistance with them?
Mr. Takashima: Not yet, to my knowledge.
Q: Have they expressed any interest?
Mr. Takashima: That is out of my knowledge.
Related Information (The Outline of Measures based on the Action Guidelines)
Related Information (Measures to be Taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Response to the Military Actions Taken Against Iraq)
- Questions concerning Japan's contribution to reconstruction
Q: There was a politician of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) who suggested that in terms of reconstruction, Japan may shoulder about 20% and that would be a reasonable portion. Is that the number that is being discussed by the Government?
Mr. Takashima: There are various views to what extent we should extend our contribution, and 20% was mentioned by Secretary-General Taku Yamazaki quoting the share of the financial contribution to the United Nations among others.
Q: What is the view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Mr. Takashima: We have not decided yet.
Q: So that was based on Japan's contribution to the UN? What kind of formula was it using?
Mr. Takashima: Each member country of the United Nations contributes a certain proportion for the budget of the United Nations. The Japanese are paying the second largest amount of money, which is slightly less than 20%. The largest contributor is the United States which bears 25% of the total UN budget.
Q: What are the other formulas since you said that several numbers are being thrown around? What are some of the other ideas?
Mr. Takashima: It is not a formula, but it is a matter of the total amount necessary, and we have to consider our own financial situation as well.
Q: Do you know what the eventual amount was that Japan contributed to the 1991 Gulf War?
Mr. Takashima: I do not have the figure for the Gulf War, but for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, it was around 20%.
Q: Was that also based on the UN contribution?
Mr. Takashima: It is not based upon the UN but on our own calculations.
- Question concerning reactions in European countries
Q: Could you share some of your insights into the different reactions of America's allies in Europe, many of whom are not supporting as actively as Japan and the Republic of Korea and what is happening with US allies in Asia? There is a lot of sentiment against the war in Japan and in many of the American-allied countries in Europe. However, the Japanese Government is coming out quite strongly in favor. How do you explain this difference?
Mr. Takashima: We made up our mind based on our own judgment and we did not consult with the French or the Germans in making our decision. They have their own will and politics.
Q: Is it not true that Japan is more dependent on US military protection?
Mr. Takashima: Not necessarily. We thought that this military action was a last resort.
- Questions concerning weapons of mass destruction
Q: Does Japan have arms of mass destruction or have them on its territories?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have such weapons.
Q: Including on the American bases?
Mr. Takashima: No, we do not have any.
Q: I read recently that one group on Okinawa asked for international UN inspectors to come and check the American bases to search for arms of mass destruction. Do you have any comment on this?
Mr. Takashima: When the reversion of Okinawa was done more than 25 years ago, Japan and the United States reached an agreement to remove all the nuclear weapons from Okinawa.
Q: Does that include from aircraft carriers and vessels in the sea?
Mr. Takashima: That is our understanding. We have the arrangement of prior consultation between Japan and the United States. If introduction of nuclear weapons becomes necessary, the US side would have to make prior consultation with the Japanese side, and there has been no prior consultation.
Q: And you trust the US?
Mr. Takashima: Yes, of course.
- Questions concerning role of the United Nations
Q: If I could get to this lack of unity at the United Nations. Do you think that serious damage has been done to the United Nations and international cooperation?
Mr. Takashima: We do believe that the United Nations is a necessary entity to maintain the peace and stability as well as the progress of humankind in this world. We hope to play a pivotal role to restore the integrity, confidence and for a bigger role to be played by the United Nations for the future of the world.
Q: How do you plan to do that?
Mr. Takashima: It is a bit too early to say but, for example, in Kyoto the Third World Water Forum is still going on and today, they are holding a Ministerial Meeting. This is one of the examples of what we are able to do and we will continue to do.
Q: But in terms of international peace-keeping, do you think that there has been irreparable damage done to the UN's ability to play an important role since the US feels that it is okay to make decisions on its own?
Mr. Takashima: If you look at the past track record of the United Nations, sometimes, it was very effective but sometime it could not be. It is a matter of fact of life. Every member should make its effort as much it can to give more support to the work of the United Nations.
Q: Do you think the damage is irreparable in that we are entering a new era?
Mr. Takashima: Secretary General Kofi Annan said that the United Nations has a role to play in the reconstruction of postwar Iraq and we do believe so and will be cooperating with the United Nations when it comes to the time of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Q: Do you think this is a turning point for the United Nations?
Mr. Takashima: This is another step for the United Nations to strengthen itself. Many lessons should be learned from this experience but it is not a point of breaking down.
Q: What sort of lessons?
Mr. Takashima: Many sorts.
- Questions concerning Japan's support for military action
Q: Can we consider Japan as a country supporting solving international problems by means of war if these wars are launched by the United States?
Mr. Takashima: We believe that war should be the last resort and every diplomatic effort should be exhausted before reaching the decision to go into war because Japan has its own experience of being devastated by the war, which was launched by ourselves. The public opinion against the war is so strong and we are very aware of that national sentiment.
Q: You said that war should be the last option but I understand that the Constitution clearly states that war should not be resorted to or used to solve conflicts.
Mr. Takashima: The Constitution declares that Japan does not resort to military action or war to resolve international disputes, so that is the declaration of Japanese resolve.
Q: Does that not also mean that Japan should not provide support or logistics for countries resorting to wars?
Mr. Takashima: We do not participate in any military action conducted outside of this nation, other than defending ourselves.
Q: But are Japanese ships not already participating in the war against terrorism and perhaps supporting American vessels? Is that not participation?
Mr. Takashima: This is for the war against terrorism not to solve an international dispute but it is a fight against international crime.
Q: So the Iraq issue is seen differently?
Mr. Takashima: We are not participating in military action one way or the other.
Q: If the UN resolution allowing for military action had been passed, would Japan have been able to send military personnel as backup that is not related?
Mr. Takashima: We do not have any domestic law for that.
Q: I mean just for backup support not frontline?
Mr. Takashima: We would need a new law if we had to do that.
Q: Can you not send doctors?
Mr. Takashima: Doctors are not military personnel.
Q: SDF or for refueling or that sort of personnel?
Mr. Takashima: Even if there had been a resolution passed a the United Nations, the Government of Japan would need a special law which would enable the Government to send SDF personnel to Iraq or wherever.
For dispatching doctors and such for peace-keeping operations (PKO), we do have a PKO law which enables us to contribute on a limited basis. In the case of Iraq, I do not know if the resolution itself would simply allow us to use that existing PKO law or to have a new legislation. It would depend on the situation.
Q: Is that law not based on whether there is a UN law supporting military action as to whether you would need new legislation?
Mr. Takashima: For example, the dispatch of our engineering unit to East Timor was based on the PKO law. However, if SDF personnel had to be dispatched immediately after the ceasefire agreements or the cessation of the hostility, the situation would be different. It is a matter to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: So it does not require a UN resolution?
Mr. Takashima: A UN resolution is one of the factors to be considered.
Q: So that is why this time, Japan cannot send personnel because there is no UN resolution. Is that correct?
Mr. Takashima: As I have said, if we had to send Self-Defense forces to Iraq, we would need a special law.
Q: Because there is no UN resolution?
Mr. Takashima: Not only that but because of the situation.
Q: Because there is no ceasefire yet.
Related Information (Counter Terrorism)
Related Information (UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) and other International Peace Cooperation)
- Follow-up questions concerning North Korea
Q: North Korea commented on the war yesterday something to the effect that this was seen as something that could be used as an excuse as a challenge to intolerable hostility toward North Korea. The implication was that this could be used as an excuse for later hostilities toward North Korea by other countries in the region. What would be your response to this?
Mr. Takashima: We hope that the North Koreans do what they have to do to dismantle their new nuclear weapon development programs among others.
Q: Have you consulted with other countries that are concerned about the situation in North Korea after the outbreak of the war in Iraq?
Mr. Takashima: Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush agreed that they would maintain their strong unity and solidarity to cope with the North Korean issue along with the Republic of Korea.
Q: Have you discussed the matter with Russia, the Republic of Korea or the People's Republic of China since the Iraq war?
Mr. Takashima: Since the outbreak of war, I do not think that any of the Japanese leaders have had a chance to talk with them except for the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush.
Q: How about on lower levels? Has there been no consultation?
Mr. Takashima: I do not have any information on that.
Q: And March 28 is still the date for the satellite?
Mr. Takashima: That is the scheduled time.
Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
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