Press Conference 1 October 2004

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura on the decision of the Government of Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
2. Visit to Japan by H.E. Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU)
3. Grant assistance to Iraq
4. Dispatch of election observation team to Afghanistan
5. Question concerning possible visit by Foreign Minister Machimura to the US
6. Question concerning possible meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and Chinese leaders

1. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura on the decision of the Government of Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make four announcements before I take questions.

   First, Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura issued the following statement on the decision made by the Government of the Russian Federation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in which he stated as follows:

   The Government of Japan welcomes the decision made by the Government of Russia on 30 September to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and sending of the ratification bill to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly.

   As the chair of the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Kyoto in 1997, Japan contributed to the formulation of the Protocol, and has actively participated in the negotiations on the details of the implementation of the Protocol, thus facilitating agreement on the prevention of global warming. The Government of Japan has been requesting the Russian Government, including on the occasion of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, to ratify the Protocol promptly. Japan continues to aim at the early entry into force of the Protocol and hopes that the Russian Assembly will ratify the Protocol in a timely manner.

   To ensure the effectiveness of actions against global warming, it is vital that all countries should strive for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Government of Japan will cooperate with other countries to establish a set of common rules, in which all countries including the United States of America and developing countries will participate.

   Related Information (Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Decision of the Government of Russia to Ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
   
2. Visit to Japan by H.E. Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU)

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the visit of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare.

   Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the AU and former President of the Republic of Mali, will be visiting Japan from 11 to 17 October.

   During his stay in Japan, Dr. Konare will be a panelist at a symposium hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on international cooperation and will meet with government leaders, Dr. Sadako Ogata, President of JICA, and other leaders of Japan for a wide-ranging exchange of opinions on such issues as conflicts in Africa, including the Darfur problem in the Republic of the Sudan, and measures to strengthen Japan's relations with Africa and the AU. He will also exchange views with representatives of Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which are engaged in assistance to Africa.

   It is expected that Dr. Konare's visit to Japan will promote the establishment of the basis for strengthening future overall relations between Japan and the AU.

   Related Information (Visit to Japan by H.E. Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU))
   
3. Grant assistance to Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about assistance to Iraq.

   The Government of Japan today decided to provide grant assistance of US$380,000 to the Olympic Committee of the Governorate of Al Muthanna in southern Iraq for the rehabilitation of the Olympic stadium. This stadium was the central venue for sports activities, especially soccer, which is the most popular sport in the region. It has become heavily damaged due to the lack of repairs.

   With this financial assistance, it is expected that the stadium will be fully repaired and ready to serve as the focal point for the promotion of sports events in the region.

   Related Information (Japan's Assistance Measures)
   
4. Dispatch of election observation team to Afghanistan

   Mr. Takashima: The last announcement is about the dispatch of an election observation team to Afghanistan.

   The Government of Japan today decided to dispatch an election monitoring team to Afghanistan where the first presidential election under the new Constitution will be held on 9 October. The team will consist of ten people and will depart Tokyo on 2 October.

   For this presidential election, Japan has been contributing approximately US$17.0 million through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist with voters' registration and the actual preparations for the election itself.

   Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)
   
5. Question concerning possible visit by Foreign Minister Machimura to the US

   Q: I would like to ask something about Foreign Minister Machimura's possible first visit to the US. Foreign Minister Machimura said in his press conference that he is considering a visit to the US to meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell of the US. Is it actually possible for him to go to the US for that purpose, possibly early next week?

   Mr. Takashima: The consultation is still being done between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State. There are some difficulties with regard to making the arrangements for the meeting between Foreign Minister Machimura and US Secretary of State Powell. It is still under consideration, and nothing has been decided yet. Foreign Minister Machimura very strongly wishes that he will be able to meet with US Secretary of State Powell to exchange views on Japan-US relations at the earliest possible time.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
6. Question concerning possible meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and Chinese leaders

   Q: There are reports stating that the Japanese Government is coordinating with the People's Republic of China for Prime Minister Koizumi to hold a meeting with Chinese leaders. Can you confirm that?

   Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan is consulting with the Chinese Government on the possible meetings between Prime Minister Koizumi and President Hu Jintao of China or Premier Wen Jiabao of China during the forthcoming international multilateral meetings which include the Fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5) in Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to be held next week, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting to be held in Santiago, Republic of Chile next month, which will be followed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Nothing has been decided yet, but we have been discussing this issue.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)