Press Conference 13 July 2004

1. Upcoming visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Republic of Korea
2. Exchange of notes concerning the contribution of supplies and services to the armed forces or other similar entities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law
3. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the appointment of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq
4. Grassroots human security grant aid to Iraq
5. Follow-up questions concerning Prime Minister Koizumi's trip to the Republic of Korea
6. Questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins

1. Upcoming visit by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Republic of Korea

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you for coming to the briefing. Today, I have four announcements.

   The first one is Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Republic of Korea.

   Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit Cheju Island of the Republic of Korea from 21-22 July to meet with President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea. Prime Minister Koizumi will discuss various issues with President Roh Moo Hyun including the bilateral cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Korea to further promote our relations, the policy regarding North Korea, and the peace and stability in Northeast Asia among others.

   During his stay in Cheju Island, Prime Minister Koizumi will attend the dinner hosted by President Roh Moo Hyun. The Government of Japan finds this visit very important and significant in light of the forthcoming Japan-Korea Friendship Year 2005. It will be celebrated next year in both countries to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the two countries.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
2. Exchange of notes concerning the contribution of supplies and services to the armed forces or other similar entities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the provision of fuel oil to the naval ships of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

   The Government of Japan, today, decided to provide fuel oil to the naval ships of Pakistan participating in the war against terrorism in the Indian Ocean from the supply vessels of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) of Japan currently operating in the area.

   To enact this decision, the Government of Japan and the Government of Pakistan exchanged diplomatic notes today in Tokyo. Japan has been supplying fuel oil to naval vessels of ten countries in the Indian Ocean including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic under the terms specified in the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law as part of our contribution to the international effort to combat terrorism.

   Related Information (Exchange of Notes concerning the Contribution of Supplies and Services to the Armed Forces or Other Similar Entities of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under the Anti-terrorism Special Measures Law)
   
3. Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the appointment of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is on the Press Secretary's statement regarding the notification of the appointment of the United Nations (UN) Special Representative for Iraq by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the appointment of Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, as the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq. Japan intends to continue extending its utmost support and cooperation for the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

   We expect that the UNAMI led by Ambassador Qazi will play a leading role in supporting the political process based on UN Security Council resolution 1546 and will further promote humanitarian and other assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq. At the same time, the Government of Japan wishes to reaffirm its intention to proactively support the Iraqis' own efforts for national reconstruction in cooperation with the international community including the United Nations.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Appointment of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq)
   
4. Grassroots human security grant aid to Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: The fourth and last announcement is about the provision of grant aid to Iraq.

   The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid of about US$3.68 million in total to the Water Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna of Iraq to cope with water shortages in the area including the city of Samawah where Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are currently deployed.

   With this grant aid, 26 water tankers and 304 water tanks will be provided to supply the residents in this area with clean water. Hygienic water will be provided by this project to about 90,000 residents who live in areas with poor water supply, and it is expected to stabilize the living condition of the people in this area.

   Related Information (Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid to Iraq (Governorate of Al Muthanna including Samawah))
   
5. Follow-up questions concerning Prime Minister Koizumi's trip to the Republic of Korea

   Q: On which day are the leaders expected to hold a formal bilateral meeting in Cheju Island?

   Mr. Takashima: We expect that 21 July will be the day for the formal talks and dinner. On the following day, there will be some other activities.

   Q: Is Prime Minister Koizumi planning to enjoy any cultural events?

   Mr. Takashima: No details have been announced yet, but the main purpose of the visit is to have talks with President Roh Moo Hyun.

   Related Information (Japan-Republic of Korea Relations)
   
6. Questions concerning Mr. Charles Jenkins

   Q: There are news reports saying that Mr. Charles Jenkins expressed his wish to live in Japan with his family. In what way could the Japanese Government support or give assistance to the family of Mr. Jenkins?

   Mr. Takashima: My understanding is that Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Hitomi Soga Jenkins and their daughters are now in Jakarta, the Republic of Indonesia, having a discussion among themselves on their future, in a quiet and private environment. Details of their discussion are a matter of privacy, and we are not in a position to disclose the details. If the wish of Mr. Jenkins and his daughters is to live in Japan with Ms. Hitomi Soga Jenkins, that is also the Government's wish. Prime Minister Koizumi thinks that in order to let them live peacefully in Japan, the Government should do its utmost effort to accommodate this settlement. The details have to be worked out, and I have no further comments.

   Q: It is quite possible to persuade the US Government to drop the charges on Mr. Jenkins. What is the position of the Japanese Government?

   Mr. Takashima: We have been discussing this issue with the United States through various channels and at various levels, but the details of the discussion cannot be disclosed. As I have said, the Government of Japan will respect and honor the wish of the family of Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Soga as much as possible. We will try our best to accommodate their wish.

   Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations Abduction Cases of Japanese Nationals)