Press Conference 30 April 2004

1. Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the recent conflicts between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Palestinians
2. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)
3. Question concerning Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi's health condition
4. Question concerning assistance for railway incident in Ryongchon, North Korea

1. Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the recent conflicts between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Palestinians

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

   The first announcement is the statement on the recent conflicts between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Palestinians.

   The Government of Japan is concerned over the recent conflicts between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Palestinians inside the Gaza Strip and its surrounding area, as well as in the West Bank, causing many deaths and injuries.

   Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of the State of Israel stated in an interview with Israeli television on the evening of 23 April that Israel had withdrawn its commitment not to harm President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority. The Government of Japan is strongly opposed to this statement and to Israel taking steps to the effect of such a statement. The Government of Japan strongly demands therefore that Israel not put this statement into action and urges the Government of Israel to exercise its maximum restraint to calm down the situation.

   The Government of Japan also considers it important that the Palestinian side quickly crack down on the extremists, which is the most urgent issue that it faces, and demonstrates tangible results. The Government of Japan considers it indispensable for both parties to immediately resume their peace efforts along with the "Roadmap," which is the only existing way for peace.

   Related Information (Press Secretary's Statement on the Recent Conflicts between the Israeli Defence Forces and the Palestinians)
   
2. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is also a statement. This one is on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

   Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of a resolution concerning the non-proliferation of WMDs by the United Nations Security Council at its meeting on 29 April in New York.

   Japan, sharing great concern with the international community about the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery, regards it as an urgent issue to prevent the proliferation of WMDs to non-state actors such as terrorists. Japan supports the adoption of this Security Council resolution and expects that all the UN Member States will comply with it.

   To counter the proliferation of WMDs, it is important to ensure the proactive cooperation of many countries. Japan appreciates this resolution which calls for assistance for developing countries that are facing difficulties in implementing the obligations of the international agreements on WMDs and their means of delivery. Japan has continuously extended such assistance and intends to further emphasize providing such assistance in relation to this resolution.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs))
   
3. Question concerning Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi's health condition

   Q: I have an inquiry about Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi. Is she only tired or does she have some sickness because she had to cancel her state visit to the Republic of Korea and others?

   Mr. Takashima. The reason she cancelled her planned trip to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Korea was simply following her doctor's advice to take some rest to recover from overexhaustion caused by her overwork in coping with various situations, such as the hostage issues as well as the very long parliamentary hearing at the National Diet. She is not suffering an illness, but her condition was overexhaustion or overtiredness.

4. Question concerning assistance for railway incident in Ryongchon, North Korea

   Q: There was an article about the big catastrophic accident in North Korea, in which it was reported that both the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America are donating only US$100,000.00 each. Regardless of the amount, has there been any coordination between the two governments since it is the same small amount?

   Mr. Takashima: There is no coordination between Japan and the United States. The Japanese Government decided to provide US$100,000.00 worth of medical kits. The first cargo has already been brought in to the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Pyongyang. The Government of Japan also made it clear that if the United Nations agencies require additional assistance, the Government of Japan is willing to provide more assistance. Therefore, the entire assistance is not necessarily limited to that amount.

   Q: Do you have any further information on American movements on this case?

   Mr. Takashima. I am not quite sure. My understanding is that the United States is following the same policy or taking the same attitude that if it is so required, then it would send additional assistance.

   Related Information (Emergency Assistance for the Train Explosion Disaster in North Korea)