Press Conference 12 March 2004

1. Condolence messages from leaders of the Government of Japan to leaders of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on terrorist attacks in Madrid
2. Launch of the English version of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine
3. Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Leila Rachid of the Republic of Paraguay
4. Statement by the Press Secretary on the adoption of the resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors concerning Libya's nuclear issue
5. Question concerning impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea
6. Question concerning expansion of areas in the People's Republic of China for issuance of group tourist visas
7. Follow-up question concerning terrorist attacks in Madrid
8. Question concerning possible resumption of bilateral talks between Japan and North Korea
9. Question concerning Japanese nationals detained by police in Samawa, Iraq
10. Question concerning official names of countries

1. Condolence messages from leaders of the Government of Japan to leaders of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on terrorist attacks in Madrid

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

   The first announcement is about the multiple terrorist attacks in Madrid, Spain.

   Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sent a message of condolence to Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of Spain in which Prime Minister Koizumi strongly condemned the terrorism.

   At the same time, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi sent her message of condolence to Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ana Palacio Vallelersundi in which she stated that she was shocked at the news that so many people were killed or injured by these terrorist attacks and that terrorism cannot be justified whatever the reason may be. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi also expressed her deep condolences and sympathy to the victims of these terrible attacks, and their families and friends.

   Related Information (Japan-Spain Relations)
   
2. Launch of the English version of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the launch of the English version of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine.

   The English version of the e-mail magazine featuring up-to-date information about Prime Minister Koizumi is due to be released.

   The Japanese version of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine, launched in June 2001, currently has 1.7 million subscribers and over 130 issues have been distributed since its premiere release. It is the best-known e-mail magazine in Japan, and is one of the best-subscribed e-mail magazines in the world.

   The e-mail magazine features a message from Prime Minister Koizumi under the title "Lion Heart" - a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform. The Prime Minister will give his opinions on a wide range of current affairs combined with Japanese culture, sports and other topics of interest.

   Another section of the magazine "What's Up Around the Prime Minister" is taken from the official website of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet.

   Subscription can be made for free on the official website of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet from 11 March onward, and delivery will start from 25 March. The e-mail magazine will be delivered every week.

   Related Information (Launch of the English Version of the Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine)
   
3. Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Leila Rachid of the Republic of Paraguay

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Leila Rachid of the Republic of Paraguay.

   Foreign Minister Rachid will visit Japan from 17 to 20 March as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She will have a meeting with Foreign Minister Kawaguchi while in Japan and they will discuss both bilateral and multilateral issues. The visit of Foreign Minister Rachid will further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries which is highlighted by the 7,000 Japanese immigrants living in that Latin American country.

   Related Information (Japan-Paraguay Relations)
   
4. Statement by the Press Secretary on the adoption of the resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors concerning Libya's nuclear issue

   Mr. Takashima: The last announcement is about the statement by the Press Secretary on the adoption of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors' resolution concerning Libya's nuclear issue.

   Japan welcomes the adoption without a vote of a resolution concerning Libya's nuclear issue at the March meeting of the Board of Governors of the IAEA.

   This resolution welcomes Libya's voluntary decision made on 19 December 2003 on the elimination of its nuclear weapons program, finds that past failure to meet the requirements of the relevant IAEA Safeguards Agreement constituted non-compliance under the Agreement, and requests the IAEA Director General to report the matter to the United Nations Security Council for information purposes only. Japan has become a co-sponsor of this resolution together with the United States of America and the United Kingdom and other countries, since it believes that the adoption of this resolution is significant in ensuring that Libya's decision is firm and promoting disarmament and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their delivery means in the international community.

   Japan welcomes Libya's decision of 19 December and calls upon it to continue its cooperation with IAEA activities in accordance with this resolution. Japan also strongly hopes that North Korea and other countries suspected of developing WMDs and their delivery means will follow Libya's posture of observing the international disarmament and nonproliferation regime, including its signing of the IAEA Additional Protocol yesterday.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Adoption of IAEA Board of Governors' Resolution concerning Libya's Nuclear Issue)
   
5. Question concerning impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea

   Q: I have a question about the impeachment process of President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea. Will this in any way affect Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) relations? What is the comment, if any, from the Government of Japan on this?

   Mr. Takashima: Since this is a domestic political issue of one of our neighboring countries, I would rather refrain from making any comment.

   However, I would, at the same time, safely say that since this is a very important political development taking place in a very important neighbor of ours, we will keep a close eye on it and we are paying close attention. Talking about the relations between our two countries, we do not expect any sort of change occurring in the policy of the Republic of Korea toward Japan and expect Japan-ROK relations to remain as good as ever.

   On North Korea, we do not expect the impeachment procedure to change the policy of the Republic of Korea toward North Korea either, and we expect that the close coordination of the policies vis-à-vis North Korea among Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea to continue.

   Q: What effect do you think this impeachment will have on holding the third round of six-party talks on the nuclear issue of North Korea or organization of the working group as was decided?

   Mr. Takashima: We do not expect any sort of change of the policy of the Republic of Korea with regard to North Korea. Therefore, we do not expect any sort of negative effect on the holding of the six-party talks or working group.

   We would like to see what sort of arrangement China, the chair country, will make in terms of holding a meeting of the working group as well as the next round of the six-party talks.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
6. Question concerning expansion of areas in the People's Republic of China for issuance of group tourist visas

   Q: Recently, considerations have been made by the Government of Japan to promote tourism by means of expanding the areas and places for which special entry visas to Japan for group tourists from the People's Republic of China are issued. Does this have any relation to the decision by the European Union (EU) to widen its issuance of visas for Chinese group tourists to Europe?

   Mr. Takashima: The Japanese Government is promoting a program to attract foreign visitors to Japan that is called "Visit Japan Campaign," under the instruction and leadership of Prime Minister Koizumi himself. Prime Minister Koizumi, in accordance with that campaign, instructed the Government to start considering widening the issuance of special group tourist visas to the people living in the other areas in China than those three places currently eligible, including the capital city of Beijing.

   Following the instruction of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with other departments of the Government has initiated a study of expanding the areas for application of special group tourist visas for Chinese persons. We will accelerate that study so that these measures can be implemented as early as possible.

   It is not a matter of competition with the European Union or any other parties, but rather an original idea of Japan itself for promoting tourism and welcoming more foreign visitors.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
7. Follow-up question concerning terrorist attacks in Madrid

   Q: There have been reports that the group responsible for the attacks in Spain may have some connection with Al Qaeda, the international terrorist group. Do you have any information that can confirm or refute that? Also, information coming out of London indicated that, in addition to the involvement of Al Qaeda, the group, which made the announcement claiming responsibility for the Madrid attacks, referred to Japan as a possible future target. Is the Japanese Government concerned about such a possible attack on Japan by such groups?

   Mr. Takashima: We do not have any independent information that confirms or refutes the involvement of Al Qaeda in these terrorist attacks in Spain. However, we believe that the international community as a whole has to unite in finding the group that committed these terrible attacks and to bring them to justice as soon as possible.

   At the same time, on the report regarding Japan, we are fully aware that some terrorist groups have been indicating that Japan may become a target of terrorist attack, especially in the wake of the dispatch of our Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. With this and other information in mind, the Japanese Government has already enhanced security measures in various places in Japan, in particular the major urban areas, to prevent any sort of terrorist attack that may occur.

   Related Information (Japan-Spain Relations)
   
8. Question concerning possible resumption of bilateral talks between Japan and North Korea

   Q: With respect to bilateral talks between Japan and North Korea at the level of government officials, is the Japanese Government carrying out any other special measures to urge North Korea so as to bring about these bilateral meetings at an early date?

   Mr. Takashima: At the time of the recent six-party talks on the nuclear issue in Beijing, the Japanese side already conveyed to the North Korean side through Director General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Mitoji Yabunaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs its desire to hold such bilateral talks at the earliest possible date. Our position now is that the ball is in their court and we are waiting for their official reply on these bilateral talks. We hope that North Korea will respond positively soon.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
9. Question concerning Japanese nationals detained by police in Samawa, Iraq

   Q: It was reported that two Japanese were detained yesterday by local police in the city of Samawa. Can you give us an update of their situation?

   Mr. Takashima: We understand that the two young Japanese men were arrested by the local police because they were reported as suspicious persons by the local people. After spending a few hours in confinement, they were released because the police did not find anything criminal on them nor any irregularity.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
10. Question concerning official names of countries

    Q: I have a short question. What is the official name that Japan uses to refer to Taiwan and North Korea?

    Mr. Takashima: In the case of Taiwan, we usually refer to the island as "Taiwan."

    As for North Korea, because we do not have any diplomatic relations with them, documents coming out of this Ministry always identify it as "North Korea." Sometimes, the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK" is used as it is its official name as at the United Nations and other international bodies.