Press Conference 21 May 2004

1. Exchange of diplomatic note with Timor Leste
2. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on the killing of civilians in an Israeli military attack
3. Questions concerning upcoming visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to North Korea
4. Questions concerning nuclear and security issues regarding North Korea
5. Question concerning missile testing by countries in the region
6. Questions concerning six-party talk process
7. Questions concerning prospects of normalized relations between Japan and North Korea
8. Questions concerning abduction issues
9. Questions concerning security situation in Iraq

1. Exchange of diplomatic note with Timor Leste

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

   Firstly, on Timor Leste, upon completion of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in East Timor through the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) on 20 May, the Government of Japan today exchanged a diplomatic note with the Government of East Timor to hand over the road construction equipments and prefabricated houses used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) that participated in the UN Peacekeeping Operation in East Timor. The SDF will return to their home base by the end of June and successfully complete their mission which started two years ago.

   Related Information (Japan-Timor-Leste Relations)
   
2. Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi on the killing of civilians in an Israeli military attack

   Mr. Takashima: Secondly, about the Middle East situation, the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

   Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi yesterday issued a statement regarding the killing of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli Defense Forces' missile attack in the afternoon of 19 May.

   In this statement, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi said that she was deeply shocked to learn that many Palestinian civilians were killed in the missile attack by the Israeli Defense Forces in the afternoon of 19 May local time in the city of Rafah, Gaza area. Japan condemns this killing of civilians by the Israeli Defense Forces which cannot be justified and urges its government to halt such attacks on civilians immediately. Japan extends sympathy to those who were injured or killed in the attack and condolences to the bereaved families.

   Japan is deeply concerned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has not shown any improvement and is very much worried that it might get even worse. In particular, Japan reiterates its request to Israel to exercise utmost restraint, and strongly hopes that the Israeli and Palestinian parties will resume their efforts as soon as possible through dialogue and cooperation toward the implementation of the roadmap.

   Related Information (Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Killing of Civilians in an Israeli Military Attack)
   
3. Questions concerning upcoming visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to North Korea

   Q: There have been many reports regarding Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang, North Korea on Saturday. Some are going as far as saying that the family members will return to Japan. I realize that none of these have been confirmed yet. Right now, what can you tell us at this point?

   Mr. Takashima: The basic position of the Government of Japan is that the return of the family members of the five abductees is very important and we are urging North Korea to release them as soon as possible. Prime Minister Koizumi will take the same position but what the outcome will be remains to be seen. It would be premature for me to predict any outcome.

   Q: There were also reports saying that the normalization talks might start up again if there is any improvement or progress in the abduction issue. Could you outline again for us what the preconditions are for the talks to start and also for the normalization to actually take place?

   Mr. Takashima: Since we believe that the abduction is very important, without having an agreeable resolution of this incident, it is impossible for the Japanese Government to sit at the negotiation table with North Korea to normalize our relations. Therefore, we would like to see improvement of the situation first. One of the main purposes of Prime Minister Koizumi's second visit to Pyongyang is to discuss that issue, along with other issues including the nuclear as well as security issues, directly with Chairman of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) National Defense Committee Kim Jong-Il.

   Q: Could you also elaborate on the agreeable resolution on the abduction issue? What does that mean?

   Mr. Takashima: The return of the family members is one of the things that have to be resolved. Additionally, we need further information on the fate of those ten Japanese who have been pronounced dead or missing by the North Koreans.

   Q: Does it have to be all of the family members? Does it have to include Mr. Charles Jenkins?

   Mr. Takashima: There are some issues to be resolved in terms of Mr. Jenkins' case, but it is a bit premature for me to predict any outcome of the visit. Let us wait and see what happens.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
4. Questions concerning nuclear and security issues regarding North Korea

   Q: You mentioned the nuclear and security issues. Is there any sort of threshold that has to be surpassed in order for the normalization talks to resume?

   Mr. Takashima: Japan has been urging North Korea to follow the principle of complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement of nuclear capability, or CVID. We will stick with that principle and hope that North Korea will follow this set of idea.

   Also, on missile issues, with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, the North Korean side agreed to put a freeze on test-firing missiles and we would like to see that this promise will be kept intact for the future. The most important part of Prime Minister Koizumi's second visit is to make a reconfirmation of the declaration with the co-signee, namely Chairman Kim Jong-Il of North Korea.

   Q: Did North Korea also ask Japan to do something in return for your request concerning their missile and nuclear programs? Did they request anything in return?

   Mr. Takashima: This actually constitutes the main theme of the discussion to be held between Prime Minister Koizumi and Chairman Kim Jong-Il, so we should wait for the outcome of the meeting to be announced.

   Q: I read in some North Korean reports that they are concerned about Japan's missile development cooperation with the United States of America and about the nuclear arsenal held by the United States in the area. Do you think North Korea has a legitimacy in expressing concern regarding these threat according to their description?

   Mr. Takashima: I cannot make any comment on behalf of the North Korean side, but what I can say is that the Japanese participation in the development of the missile defense system is entirely for a defensive purpose; in other words, for the security of our nation. Thus, we do not think that there is any reason to blame Japan for developing that sort of capability. On the nuclear issue, Japan is a member of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We are strictly adhering with all the requirements stemming from the Nonproliferation Treaty and have been receiving full inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) so there is no ambiguity on the true nature of Japan's nuclear development, which is a peaceful development.

   Q: Going back to security issues between Japan and North Korea, what does the North Korean side have to do in order for the Japanese side to agree to the normalization talks?

   Mr. Takashima: First, the first round of negotiations on normalization started shortly after Prime Minister Koizumi's first visit to Pyongyang two years ago. Unfortunately, they have stalled and ever since the negotiations have been suspended. We are urging North Korea to resolve this abduction issue first, so that we will be able to restart the normalization talks. That is the basic point.

   Second, the nuclear issues are now being dealt by the six-party talks, so we hope that North Korea will participate in the six-party talks with the spirit of active participation for the peaceful resolution of the issue.

   Third, the missile issue is still existing, that is to say, the promise to put a freeze on test-firing missiles is still in existence and is still being honored, so it is a very good sign and we would like to have reconfirmation by the North Korean leader that this will remain the case and they will adhere with the promise they made.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
5. Question concerning missile testing by countries in the region

   Q: To follow up on your comment, it seems that Japan is so concerned about missiles in North Korea, but the Republic of India, for example, has been developing and testing missiles, and Japan has been providing official development assistance (ODA) to India at the same time. Why do you have, dare I say, double treatment for India and for North Korea regarding missile development?

   Mr. Takashima: I would like to refer you to the previous statements the Foreign Minister and I made on the occasion of the testing of intermediate range missiles conducted by India and also the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

   We believe that missile testing by India or Pakistan is not one which would be beneficial for peace-building in that region and that it would rather jeopardize the security situation. Therefore, we have been condemning that.

   Related Information (Missile Non-Proliferation)
   
6. Questions concerning six-party talk process

   Q: Is it the case then that there does not have to necessarily be major progress or preconditions regarding the nuclear issue in order for the talks to start? That is going to be dealt with in the six-party talks rather than in bilateral Japan-North Korea talks?

   Mr. Takashima: Currently, the nuclear issues are being dealt by the six-party talks and we believe that the six-party talks are an appropriate venue for the discussion to be done on this matter. However, the abduction issue is a bilateral issue and a most urgent one, so we would like to resolve it before we go to the negotiation table of full-scale normalization talks.

   Q: Regarding the six-party talks, there has been an agreement made to hold the third round by the end of June. Has there been any progress on that? I have also read reports that there needs to be a second meeting of the working group before the third round of the talks actually starts. Can you give us any details on the progress or the current standing of the talks?

   Mr. Takashima: We are hopeful that the third round of talks will be held as scheduled by the end of June. There may be a second meeting of the working group but it has not been decided yet.

   Q: So there might not be a second meeting of the working group beforehand?

   Mr. Takashima: There may be or there may not be. That is up to the chair country, the People's Republic of China. Also, China will consult on that issue with the other members of the six-party talks.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Six-Party Talks on North Korean Issues)
   
7. Questions concerning prospects of normalized relations between Japan and North Korea

   Q: There have also been reports that Prime Minister Koizumi would like to aim for the normalization to actually take place while he is still in the Prime Minister's seat. Can you confirm that?

   Mr. Takashima: It is not a private issue for Prime Minister Koizumi. This is a national agenda because North Korea is the only neighboring country with which we have no diplomatic relations and that is quite abnormal. We would like for this situation to be corrected and have friendly relations with all the neighboring countries, including North Korea.

   Q: Can you outline some of the points that might present advantages to the Japanese national interest if the normalization actually takes place? I mean, what are the advantages or the national interests that come out from the normalization actually taking place?

   Mr. Takashima: Given that there are no official diplomatic relations with North Korea, many things are up in the air and cannot be done. Once official relations have been established and would commence, then there would be full-scale trade, full-scale exchange of people, cultural exchange and full dialogue between North Korean and Japanese peoples. This will of course be beneficial for the promotion of peace and stability in this region, so normalization of the relations is one of the most important agenda items as far as Japanese foreign policy is concerned.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
   
8. Questions concerning abduction issues

   Q: When you said that Prime Minister Koizumi wants to secure the release of the family members of the five returned abductees to Japan, first, do you have any evidence that these families are contained in North Korea against their will? Second, is that all on the abduction issue? If they are released, would the abduction issue be closed?

   Mr. Takashima: The reason the Japanese Government has been urging North Korea to release them is for them to have the opportunity to discuss their future with their parents or their relatives and at the same time giving them the opportunity to learn about the country of birth of their parents. If and when the families are reunited and have a full discussion in a free and uninterrupted manner and decide that they would prefer to live in North Korea that is their decision. The only thing that we would like to ensure is that they have an environment for a free discussion at their own will.

   Q: So those five returnees to Japan now, they are here on their will?

   Mr. Takashima: That is my understanding because there is no restriction imposed upon them to stay in Japan. They are currently living in Japan on their own will.

   Q: So that mother does not want to go and see her children, for example, with Prime Minister Koizumi? Did you have any request from these families to accompany Prime Minister Koizumi?

   Mr. Takashima: I have no information on that.

   Q: Let us assume just for the sake of argument that these people are returned or are given the freedom of choice by North Korea. Would that mean that the abduction issue is settled permanently by North Korea?

   I asked one official here in Tokyo who has some link with North Korea and he said that it is not a matter of these people. It is that once more people are given the chance to go back to Japan, then the Japanese will ask for more. He also said that one time even, a family claimed that they were missing a family member claiming that this person had been abducted to North Korea. It turned out that he was homeless or missing in some forest or something like that. Do you think that once this issue is settled, then you will move to the next stage for normalizing the relations?

   Mr. Takashima: Basically, this is an issue of humanitarian nature. In other words, people's lives are involved. As far as the Japanese Government is concerned, we believe that of primary and utmost importance is the reunion of the families of those five returned abductees. At the same level, we put utmost importance on more information on those ten people who were pronounced dead or missing by North Korea. Those ten are confirmed cases of abduction as far as Japanese investigation results are concerned. Other Japanese nationals who are suspected to have been victims of abduction by the North Koreans, the Japanese police is making inquiries and investigations on them. When the police establishes the fact that any of them are a case of real abduction with evidence, then we will raise that issue with the North Korean side and try to resolve it along with the other ten cases and the existing five abductees. The issue does not stop with the release of the family members of the five abductees at all.

   Q: Does it stop with having information about the other ten cases?

   Mr. Takashima: We have already submitted the questionnaire of inquiry of 150 questions to the North Koreans and we are still waiting for their reply. We are urging them to give us more information on the fate of those ten people, so this is what we feel to be very important.

   Q: You said that you were waiting for more information. Does that mean that they have responded partially to these 150 questions that the Japanese Government submitted two years ago?

   Mr. Takashima: To my knowledge they have not responded yet.

   Q: Not to a single question?

   Mr. Takashima: No.

   Q: So the issue will not stop before you get the family members of the five returned to Japan and then on top of that information about the ten and also responses on the 150. After that, will the abduction issues be settled?

   Mr. Takashima: At that point, whether we would return to the negotiation table with North Korea on the normalization depends upon the political decision by the Prime Minister. It is not necessarily attached only to the questions of the abduction issues or suspected cases of abduction. However, what I can say at the moment is that the return of the family members of the five abductees is of utmost importance and that has to be resolved and more information has to be given to Japan.

   Q: There have been conflicting reports regarding discussions about Mr. Jenkins with the US Government. There have been reports saying that the United States is refusing to give a pardon or any special treatment to Mr. Jenkins. Has there been any other discussion going on with the US Government about Mr. Jenkins?

   Mr. Takashima. The consultation is under way between the Governments of Japan and the United States, but I am not in a position to disclose the content of that consultation.

   Moreover, I cannot make any comment on the possible outcome of the talks between the two leaders to be held tomorrow on the issue of Mr. Jenkins.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Abduction Cases of Japanese Nationals)
   
9. Questions concerning security situation in Iraq

   Q: If I could move to the Iraqi situation, there was an incident of attack by American forces on a wedding party on the Iraqi-Syrian border yesterday, in which 30 or 40 civilians, including women and children, were killed. Does Japan have any comments on this?

   Mr. Takashima: My understanding is that the US Forces in Iraq are going to investigate on that incident, so we have to wait on the result of that investigation. If it was a case of bombing on an innocent civilian wedding party and nothing more, then it is very unfortunate and this kind of thing should not be repeated.

   Q: Do you condemn such an unfortunate act?

   Mr. Takashima: If that is the case, it is very unfortunate. A full investigation should be performed in order to find out the reason why such a mistake was committed. Before receiving any result or report of that investigation, I am not in a position to make any comment.

   Q: The recent events in Iraq are going into a different direction to the hopes of those who supported the war. We are seeing that more civilians are being killed, such as the incident that I just asked about as well as in the prisons, what with the sadistic treatment of prisoners. Was Japan prepared to have such events when it supported the war and invasion of Iraq?

   Mr. Takashima: On the issue of abuse of Iraqi prisoners, our sentiment, feeling and position have already been conveyed to the US Government and they are fully aware of our position.

   On the general situation in Iraq, we would like to see the handover of sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to the Iraqi Interim Government to happen as scheduled by 30 June. We regret that the general security situation in Iraq is not improved yet, but we hope that the security will be improved by the efforts of all parties concerned, and that the Iraqi people will have a spirit of ownership for the reconstruction of their nation, so that Iraq's reconstruction will be achieved through their own will supported by international solidarity.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)