Press Conference 26 October 2004

1. Extension of Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) operation in the Indian Ocean
2. Emergency assistance for improvement of the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region in the western part of Sudan
3. Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Maritime Interdiction Exercise
4. Upcoming visits to Japan by President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
5. Follow-up question concerning MSDF operation in the Indian Ocean
6. Follow-up question concerning upcoming visit by President Obasanjo of Nigeria
7. Questions concerning recent Japan-People's Republic of China talks on the East China Sea

1. Extension of Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) operation in the Indian Ocean

   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.

   The first one is about the extension of fuel supply operation in the Indian Ocean.

   The Government of Japan today, at the Cabinet meeting, decided to extend the term of validity of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law by another half a year from 1 November. This extension will enable Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) to continue their fuel supply operation for the naval ships of 11 nations that are participating in the anti-terrorism operation in the Indian Ocean until 1 May 2005.

   At the same time, the Government of Japan decided to add fresh water and helicopter fuel to the items to be supplied by the MSDF operation.

   Related Information (Counter Terrorism)
   
2. Emergency assistance for improvement of the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region in the western part of Sudan

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about emergency assistance for the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region.

   The Government of Japan today decided to provide emergency financial cooperation of US$11.5 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for displaced persons in the Darfur region in the western part of the Republic of the Sudan and Sudanese refugees in the Republic of Chad.

   Besides this emergency assistance cooperation, the Government of Japan is also considering extending food aid and assistance to increase food production to the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

   The US$11.5 million emergency financial cooperation is part of the pledge made by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in his address at the UN General Assembly that the Government of Japan would contribute a total of about US$21.0 million for the Sudanese situation. With this financial cooperation, of the US$21.0 million assistance, US$17.5 million have already been earmarked or disbursed.

   Related Information (Emergency Assistance for Improvement of the Humanitarian Situation in the Darfur Region in the Western Part of Sudan)
   
3. Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Maritime Interdiction Exercise

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) exercise.

   The Government of Japan is hosting a three-day maritime interdiction exercise based on PSI since yesterday. This exercise is participated by four nations including Japan and observers from 18 nations. The exercise is aimed at improving the capability to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), missiles and related materials through the means of maritime activities, including on-board inspections and interdictions in line with international laws and domestic laws of the participating nations.

   Today, in Sagami Bay, naval ships from the Commonwealth of Australia, the French Republic and the United States of America joined five Japanese Coast Guard vessels and one Japanese MSDF vessel.

   The exercise will end tomorrow with the post-exercise meeting and training demonstration in Yokosuka.

   Related Information (The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI))
   
4. Upcoming visits to Japan by President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

   Mr. Takashima: The last announcement is about the visits of the presidents of the Republic of Kenya and also the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

   President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria will pay a visit to Japan to attend the Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference to be held in Tokyo on 1 and 2 November.

   This conference is organized as part of the follow-up action of the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) and aimed at promoting the trade between Africa and Asia with the view to realizing poverty reduction and economic growth. Detailed itineraries for both Presidents Kibaki and Obasanjo are being arranged by the governments concerned.

   Related Information (Japan-Kenya Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Nigeria Relations)
   
5. Follow-up question concerning MSDF operation in the Indian Ocean

   Q: Could you give us details as to which countries the MSDF is now refueling in the Indian Ocean?

   Mr. Takashima: As I have said, there are 11 nations whose navies have been given fuel supply from the MSDF vessels, including the US, the United Kingdom (UK), France, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and others. So far, as of 12 October, 430 refueling operations have been done, and 375,012 liters of fuel have been supplied.

6. Follow-up question concerning upcoming visit by President Obasanjo of Nigeria

   Q: On the trip of the Nigerian president, could you tell us when President Obasanjo is going to arrive in Japan?

   Mr. Takashima: Today, I can only confirm that the visit is being arranged. As for a detailed itinerary, I think I should wait a day or so.

7. Questions concerning recent Japan-People's Republic of China talks on the East China Sea

   Q: On the bilateral talks with the People's Republic of China on the gas project, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Shoichi Nakagawa voiced very strong dissatisfaction or if you will displeasure about the Chinese stance which gave no new information about their projects. Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura also voiced dissatisfaction this morning. Does the Japanese Government expect that it will be possible to suspend or fail to set a date for the next round of talks?

   Mr. Takashima: My understanding is that both Japan and China agreed to think about the continuation of this consultation. At the same time, the Government of Japan is continuing its underwater surveillance of the area, in the Japanese side of the median line. It will be continued.

   Q: Foreign Minister Machimura said this morning that he is wondering whether it is right to continue what the two countries have done so far. Could you tell us what Foreign Minister Machimura had in his mind by saying so?

   Mr. Takashima: Foreign Minister Machimura has received an initial report from Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Mitoji Yabunaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night, but he has to be briefed upon Director-General Yabunaka's return to Tokyo. Until then, I would like to refrain from speculating what sort of action or position the Government of Japan will take for the further consultations with China.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)