Press Conference 2 July 2004

1. Questions concerning reunion of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family
2. Questions concerning upcoming visit by National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice of the United States to Japan
3. Questions concerning recent announcement of survey in East China Sea by Japan
4. Question concerning Japanese response to issue of demarcation of East China Sea
5. Follow-up questions concerning reunion of Ms. Soga's family
6. Question concerning possible dispatch of Japanese ambassador to Iraq

1. Questions concerning reunion of Ms. Hitomi Soga's family

   Assistant Press Secretary Jiro Okuyama: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for coming to this briefing. As I have no announcement to make today, I would be happy to take your questions.

   Q: Ms. Hitomi Soga and her family will be reunited in the Republic of Indonesia. How is the discussion between Japan and the United States of America going regarding Mr. Charles Jenkins?

   Mr. Okuyama: The issue was raised between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President George W. Bush of the United States at the Group of Eight (G8) Summit Meeting in Sea Island, Georgia. Afterwards, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Mitoji Yabunaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs went to the United States. We have been talking with the American side.

   We would rather refrain from making comments on the exact state of the discussions between Japan and the United States.

   Q: Would you say there have been any problems since Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang, North Korea?

   Mr. Okuyama: We understand that Ms. Soga's wish is to ultimately have her reunited family live together in Japan. We are making our best efforts to make that happen. As to exactly where we are in our discussion with the United States, I would refrain from commenting.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Abduction Cases of Japanese Nationals)
   
2. Questions concerning upcoming visit by National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice of the United States to Japan

   Q: There was an announcement that National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice of the United States is coming to Japan this week. This announcement said that they will likely discuss bilateral and international issues and Iraq. Could you specify a little bit about what they are likely to say?

   Mr. Okuyama: The US Government has not made an official announcement yet on Ms. Rice's visit to this part of the world, but we understand from the American side that in addition to Japan, she will visit the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea. We expect that Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's talk with Ms. Rice will cover a various range of issues. At this moment, apart from the bilateral relations and the international situation, we have no announcement to make as to what specific items they will raise. It is still early in our preparation process. Also, she may meet other people, she may have other appointments, but nothing is decided as of this moment.

   Ms. Rice's visit this time around will be her first visit on her own to Japan as the National Security Advisor. She accompanied President Bush on two past occasions: once in February 2002 and more recently in October 2003 when President Bush came to Japan. By herself, it will be her first visit.

   Q: What issues will they discuss?

   Mr. Okuyama: I think there will be a coordination of possible topics, but I think it would be commonsense that the two will discuss the important issues of the day, and that is Iraq and North Korea among others.

   Q: Will Ms. Rice be meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi?

   Mr. Okuyama: As I said, all the other possible appointments are under consideration. Nothing has been decided.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
3. Questions concerning recent announcement of survey in East China Sea by Japan

   Q: According to press reports, in response to Japan's announcement regarding the survey of the East China Sea, the Chinese side expressed concern. Does the Japanese Government have any comments to make?

   Mr. Okuyama: First of all, we believe it is important to treat this issue in a quiet and peaceful manner. The Japanese side has no intention of raising tensions in the bilateral context between Japan and the People's Republic of China.

   On the recent announcement of survey to start from early July, we made a prior notification on this survey to the Chinese side in the morning of 29 June. On this occasion, we also requested to the Chinese side once again that relevant information be provided to the Japanese side. We did this as the two foreign ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing of China, confirmed that the two sides would continue to have contact through the diplomatic channel on the occasion of the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China.

   For your information, this survey will take place in the area to the east of the median line. It is not necessary for us to obtain a prior approval from the Chinese side. It is not that the Japanese side must make a prior notification to the Chinese side in accordance with the Framework of the Mutual Prior Notification of Ocean Research Activities. This is also something that we explained to the Chinese side when we provided the information about this survey to take place.

   Q: On this issue, the Chinese side proposed to have joint development. What is the Japanese Government's reaction to this?

   Mr. Okuyama: The idea of joint development was floated when Foreign Minister Kawaguchi met Foreign Minister Li in Qingdao. In order for us to make any headway on this issue, the first thing we need is the information the Chinese side has relating to the areas of concern to the Japanese side. We need information first and without the provision of information from the Chinese side, we cannot think of other possibilities.

   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
4. Question concerning Japanese response to issue of demarcation of East China Sea

   Q: About this median line, what comments does the Japanese Government have on the resolution of this dispute regarding the demarcation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf?

   Mr. Okuyama: We would like to solve this issue through peaceful consultations. On 21 June, Foreign Minister Li told Foreign Minister Kawaguchi in Qingdao that there are differences between the two sides on the question of demarcation of the East China Sea. The Chinese side would like to solve this through mutual consultations. We fully subscribe to Foreign Minister Li's views. We would like to solve this through consultations.

5. Follow-up questions concerning reunion of Ms. Soga's family

   Q: Going back to Ms. Soga's issue, can you confirm recent reports that the Government is planning to charter a plane to Indonesia? Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda mentioned this possibility in his press conference.

   Mr. Okuyama: Exactly how we do this and exactly when are still under consideration, so no date is fixed yet and venue is also being discussed. As for how to fly Mr. Jenkins and his two daughters, there can be various possibilities, so at this moment, we cannot say that it will definitely be a commercial flight chartered by the Government that will carry the three people. I also understand that this morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hosoda made the same remark. He said chartered flight is one possibility, but whether we definitely go along with this idea or not is something we have not decided as of this moment.

   Q: But would you say it is an option?

   Mr. Okuyama: It is one idea.

6. Question concerning possible dispatch of Japanese ambassador to Iraq

   Q: Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considering sending a Japanese ambassador to Iraq on a regular basis?

   Mr. Okuyama: An appointment of a Japanese Ambassador is something that we are considering. We would like to make a decision while carefully watching what the other major countries do as well as the situation in Iraq.

   Q: You mean the security situation?

   Mr. Okuyama: The security situation and also the functions that the Embassy has to carry out because now, we have a new situation whereby there is the interim government. We are also following what the other governments are thinking in terms of what kind of diplomatic representation they will send to in Iraq.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)