Press Conference 22 June 2004

1. Question concerning working-level Six-Party Talks in Beijing, People's Republic of China
2. Question concerning Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting in Qingdao, China
3. Questions concerning China's natural gas project in the East China Sea
4. Questions concerning command of Self-Defense Forces in Iraq
5. Questions concerning possibility of Self-Defense Forces protecting oil fields and Japanese workers in Iraq
6. Questions concerning power projects in Iraq

1. Question concerning working-level Six-Party Talks in Beijing, People's Republic of China

   Q: What is the latest hot news from Beijing?

   Assistant Press Secretary Jiro Okuyama: We would like to make a positive contribution to the process of the Six-Party Talks in Beijing, People's Republic of China based on the achievements of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's recent visit to Pyongyang, North Korea. We will strongly call on North Korea to take responsible and positive steps forward towards a peaceful resolution of the issue.

   As for the latest developments, yesterday's working group discussion was held in the morning from 10:15 (local time) to about 12:30 (local time) and then in the afternoon from about 16:00 (local time) to 19:30 (local time). There was a reception hosted by the Chinese head of delegation.

   As with the previous consultations, there is an agreement among the six parties not to explain the details of the discussion. We may say that differences between the parties still remain. Given these differences, there was an in-depth discussion of substance to make progress on the plenary meeting. This was held in order to deepen the mutual understanding and mutual recognition among the parties concerned. There was also an exchange of views on the arrangement of the plenary of the upcoming third Six-Party Talks.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Six-Party Talks on North Korean Issues)
   
2. Question concerning Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting in Qingdao, China

   Q: What is the latest news on Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi?

   Mr. Okuyama: Foreign Minister Kawaguchi held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon of the Republic of Korea yesterday in Qingdao, China. She is there to attend the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting. Foreign Minister Ban gave an explanation of the kidnapping of the businessman from the Republic of Korea which took place in Iraq on 20 June. He requested the Japanese Government's cooperation for the rescue of the victim. In return, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed her sympathy with this incident. She promised to do whatever the Japanese Government could do to help secure the safe release of the hostage.

   Related Information (Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Attend the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Meeting and the Three-Party Committee of the Japan, China, and the R.O.K., and Visit Russia)
   
3. Questions concerning China's natural gas project in the East China Sea

   Q: Could you please explain a bit more about the conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing of China and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi in Qingdao regarding the natural gas project in the East China Sea?

   Mr. Okuyama: Perhaps we can start from the general position and move on to what exactly transpired between the two.

   The areas are called Chunxiao oil and gas field and others. China's natural resource exploration in these waters has been a matter of concern for the Japanese Government, and we have conveyed our concern through the diplomatic channel. We have requested on occasions that the relevant material and information related to the specific areas and underground structures involved in this exploration attempt be provided to the Japanese side.

   Yesterday, in Qingdao, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed Japan's concern once again and requested that relevant information be provided to the Japanese side. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made some comments - firstly, that there is a difference on the demarcation line of the East China Sea and that the Chinese side would like to resolve this difference through mutual consultations. Secondly, in order to resolve the issues relating to the areas where there is a difference between the two countries, perhaps one idea is to shelve this difference and to embark on a "joint development" of these fields.

   What the Chinese side specifically meant by "joint development" is not something that is known to us. We continue to believe that it is important that the Chinese side provide us with relevant information which we have requested previously, including the meeting yesterday. We agreed in this meeting yesterday that we will continue to keep in touch with each other through the diplomatic channel.

   Q: Are there more details on what has actually been constructed by the Chinese near the maritime border? I understand two different rigs have been set up. Are they just for surveys or have these explorations advanced to a stage where they can actually start, perhaps, commercializing the field?

   Mr. Okuyama: Foreign Minister Kawaguchi referred to three areas. In yesterday's meeting, she said that there are certain areas in the East China Sea where parts of the areas actually protrude beyond the median line between Japan and China. Also, concerning Chunxiao, Duanqiao and a part of Longjing, their structures actually connect in geological terms with the eastern side of the median line. She mentioned that while the exploitation may be made on the western side of the median line, there is a possibility that those resources which actually lie on the eastern side of the median line will also be exploited. That is a source of grave concern on the part of Japan. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi did not go into more detail. These are the exact details that she raised.

   Q: Have Japanese companies previously expressed an interest in surveying the area or developing rigs on the western side?

   Mr. Okuyama: I do not have the information with me on that.

   Q: Should the Chinese request a response to that from Japan?

   Mr. Okuyama: Foreign Minister Kawaguchi responded as follows. The Chinese side raised this idea of "joint development," but first of all, unless the Chinese side provides relevant information that we have been requesting, we will not be able to move ahead on this issue. The Japanese side would like to get the relevant information first and would like to study the information as given. We would like to keep in contact through the diplomatic channel, and Foreign Minister Li responded, "let's keep in touch."

   Q: I am not very aware of the requirements for the countries to pass on data on maritime geography, etc. Does China have to provide that data under certain international frameworks?

   Mr. Okuyama: The Japanese position is that since we believe that this median line is the right demarcation line between the two countries, anything which may lead to unwarranted exploitation of the Japanese sovereign area should be subject to close examination. That is the reason why we are requesting the information from the Chinese side. As Foreign Minister Kawaguchi pointed out, even if the exploration takes place on the part, even from our understanding, of China's sovereign rights, it may lead to the exploitation of natural resources which actually lie under Japan's sovereign rights.

   Q: Then the Chinese surely believe that the median line is perhaps contested by the Japanese. Is that correct?

   Mr. Okuyama: I would like to refer you to the Chinese side for their precise interpretation of where exactly the demarcation line should be, but I am given to understand that their interpretation is different - that it actually extends to what they call the end of the Chinese continental shelves.

   Q: Is there a possibility that you will ask the consortium which consists of China national offshore oil companies - the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), Royal Dutch/Shell and Unocal, which are actually developing the rigs to hold until such a line or such a maritime border is more accurately defined by both sides?

   Mr. Okuyama: What we have been requesting is the information that the Chinese side has. We will start from there. The possibility that you mentioned is not something we are seeking now.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
4. Questions concerning command of Self-Defense Forces in Iraq

   Q: Concerning the debate in the Diet now, concerning the participation of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the multinational force after 30 June, could you clarify the envisioned relationship between the SDF and the unified command in terms of the line of command?

   Mr. Okuyama: What we agreed with the United States of America and the United Kingdom is basically as follows.

   First of all, the SDF will engage in humanitarian or reconstruction activities. What is important is whether this mandate is guaranteed by the Iraqi interim government and the multinational force. Humanitarian and reconstruction assistance is included in the tasks of the multinational force, and this is confirmed by the newly adopted United Nations Security Council resolution and related documents.

   After the restoration of sovereignty, the SDF operating in Iraq will continue to carry out activities centering on humanitarian reconstruction activities. The SDF in Iraq will continue to act in accordance with the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq and under Japanese national command. Its activities will not be carried out under the command of the multinational force. The SDF will act in accordance with the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. Whenever the conditions provided in the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq or the basic plan are not met or whenever the Government of Japan regards it to be politically appropriate, the Government of Japan will be able to suspend SDF activities or withdraw the SDF based upon its own judgment.

   As for the consent of the Iraqi interim government to the presence of the SDF and the legal status pertaining to SDF activities there, they will be secured as a member of the multinational force.

   Q: Do you foresee the situation in which the multinational force's unified command might order the Japanese forces to do this and that?

   Mr. Okuyama: We understand that the command will engage itself in various coordination activities and liaison activities, and there will always have to be very close coordination and liaison between the command and the Japanese SDF. As I have said, the SDF will be under Japanese national command, and there will be, of course, close coordination and liaison with the unified command. That is our understanding.

   Q: So the SDF will not be in the line of command or under unified command?

   Mr. Okuyama: It is a member of the multinational force, but it is under the Japanese national command.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
5. Questions concerning possibility of Self-Defense Forces protecting oil fields and Japanese workers in Iraq

   Q: Recently, some Japanese companies are looking to start restoration and rehabilitation in southern Iraq. That was announced a few weeks ago. Have there been talks with the Japanese forces to possibly protect the oil fields that are going to be worked on by the consortium if they do go ahead and actually provide those services?

   Mr. Okuyama: The short answer will be no. Where we are now is that out of the US$1.5 billion that we pledged mainly in the form of grant assistance, approximately US$850 million have already been disbursed or decided for specific projects. For the remainder, we already have a number of projects in the candidate list. These ought to be decided at some point in the future, but because of the security situation in Iraq, SDF activities will be limited. Right now, there is no talk of SDF being engaged in the building or rehabilitation of infrastructure like you mentioned.

   Q: Have there been talks about protection of workers from the Japanese consortium that would have to go to Iraq to help with the work or with rehabilitation?

   Mr. Okuyama: In terms of using SDF to protect these workers or experts, there has been no talk. The SDF can only operate within a limited purview of the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq, and that law does not provide for protection of Japanese nationals unless they are operating very close to where the SDF are. It is not our idea to send the SDF to those construction sites to protect Japanese nationals.

   I would like to remind you that their use of small weapons that they carry is limited to the case of self-defense. Minister of State for Defense Shigeru Ishiba is obliged to secure the safety of SDF personnel under the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. That is the reason why we have SDF only in Samawah and some other places.

   Q: Have the security implications of the Japanese consortium going over to help with the rehabilitation been discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Defense Agency?

   Mr. Okuyama: Not that I know of.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
6. Questions concerning power projects in Iraq

   Q: Does that include companies revitalizing and rehabilitating coal facilities, terminals and also oil fields?

   Mr. Okuyama: Perhaps the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is in a better position to know about all these specific projects. The basic idea is that we need security back in Iraq, and that is the reason why we are actually engaging ourselves. Unless security is back and Japanese business people are free to go in without any fear of security, there will be no substantial reconstruction taking place in Iraq as far as Japan is concerned.

   Q: That includes the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) funded power projects?

   Mr. Okuyama: I do not know how much progress the projects have made. I have just given you the basic concept that we are working under.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)