Press Conference 14 January 2005

1. Itinerary of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuzen Tanigawa
2. Formulation of the initiative for disaster reduction cooperation
3. Grant assistance for the Kyrgyz Republic
4. Third Meeting of the Japan Arab Dialogue Forum in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
5. Economic cooperation projects for the reconstruction of Iraq
6. Ceremony to present television equipment and provision of television programs to Samawah, Iraq
7. Upcoming visit by Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa Keitaro Sato to Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria
8. Visit to Japan by Chairman of the Council of Ministers Marek Belka of the Republic of Poland
9. Upcoming visit to Japan by Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada
10. Upcoming visit to Japan by Nikkei leaders from Latin American countries
11. Question concerning 60th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII)

1. Itinerary of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuzen Tanigawa

   Assistant Press Secretary Akira Chiba: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make several announcements that will take you around the globe.

   First, on the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean. Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuzen Tanigawa will visit Kobe to attend the tenth memorial service for the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on 17 January and the United Nations (UN) World Conference on Disaster Reduction on 20 January.

   Related Information (World Conference on Disaster Reduction)
   
2. Formulation of the initiative for disaster reduction cooperation

   Mr. Chiba: To comprehensively cope with natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, on the occasion of the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held from 18 January in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, the Government of Japan will announce the host country's statement, to be delivered by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's policy on disaster reduction utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA) and an Initiative for Disaster Reduction Cooperation to strengthen efforts for that purpose.

   As this initiative further strengthens the need for assistance for the self-help efforts of developing countries and for disaster prevention, and proposes consistent cooperation in accordance with each stage of the disaster, it lays out an important approach in coping skillfully with such natural disasters as tsunamis. Based on this initiative, Japan intends to proactively promote cooperation in disaster prevention through dialogues with developing countries, making effective use of Japan's rich experience, know-how and excellent technology.

   In the field of disaster reduction, Japan has extended cooperation at the highest global standards including provision of about 33,000 million yen in FY2003, and has also played a proactive role in disaster reduction cooperation utilizing its experience, human resources and technology.

   Related Information (Major Earthquake off the Coast of Sumatra and Tsunami in the Indian Ocean)
   
3. Grant assistance for the Kyrgyz Republic

   Mr. Chiba: To turn your eyes northward, Japan will provide 681 million Japanese yen in grant to the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia for the project for the improvement of program production equipment of the national TV and radio broadcasting corporation. The exchange of notes was done today. This is the only TV station which offers programs in the Kyrgyz language, and is suffering from obsolete equipments. The provision of new equipments through this grant aid is expected to promote dissemination of information among the Kyrgyz people and promote democratic development in that country.

   Related Information (Japan-Kyrgyz Republic Relations)
   
4. Third Meeting of the Japan Arab Dialogue Forum in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

   Mr. Chiba: Now, to go further west, the Third Meeting of the Japan Arab Dialogue Forum was held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 8 and 9 January. Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto acted as chair on the Japanese side, while Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Director of the Library of Alexandria Ismail Serageldin of the Arab Republic of Egypt were chairs of their respective countries.

   Further strengthening of ties between Japan and the Arab world were agreed in political, economic and cultural fields. The next forum will be held in Tokyo.

   Related Information (Japan-Middle East Relations)
   
5. Economic cooperation projects for the reconstruction of Iraq

   Mr. Chiba: Further in Iraq, new aid projects were implemented.

   Letters for the following two projects were exchanged at 16:00 on 13 January at the etape of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) in Samawah: Project for Provision of Equipment to Primary Health Centers in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna under which 866 million yen were extended for the Health Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna and Project for Provision of Equipment for Solid Waste Management in Samawah under which 658 million yen were extended for the Department of Samawah Municipality.

   The Project for Provision of Equipment to Primary Health Centers in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna will provide the Health Department of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna with the funds necessary to purchase medical equipment for primary health to be used at 32 primary health centers in the Governorate, with a view to improving the health and medical standards in the Governorate. The Project for Provision of Equipment for Solid Waste Management in Samawah will provide the city of Samawah with the funds necessary to purchase equipment for solid waste management such as garbage collection vehicles and containers.

   The implementation of these projects is expected to contribute to improving health and medical standards in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna and the waste and hygiene situation in Samawah.

   Related Information (Economic Cooperation Projects for the Reconstruction of Iraq)
   
6. Ceremony to present television equipment and provision of television programs to Samawah, Iraq

   Mr. Chiba: The ceremony to present television equipment for Al-Muthanna TV Station through Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid was held on 13 January at the etape of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Samawah.

   The project is expected to improve the TV Station's broadcasting technique, thereby enabling the provision of high quality information to the residents in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna as a whole and also serving to further publicize Japan's assistance to Iraq.

   As part of the reconstruction assistance for Iraq, the Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid, through the Japan Foundation, of Arabic-dubbed versions of Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) TV programs (The "Project X" and "Puppet Theater" series) to the Al-Muthanna TV Station.

   The provision of TV programs has been decided in association with that of TV equipment as it is expected that there will be a shortage of TV program software to be aired by the Al-Muthanna TV Station, which broadcasts programs mainly throughout the Governorate where Japanese SDF are currently carrying out activities. The assistance aims at helping Iraqi citizens to lead a richer intellectual life.

   The "Project X" series, which has been aired by 23 TV stations in 18 countries, has been very well received. It is expected that the Japanese businessmen depicted in the program, who succeed in their projects by overcoming difficulties, will encourage the people of Iraq who are putting effort into the reconstruction of the nation. The "Puppet Theater" series on the other hand is expected to cheer up the children of Iraq, where there are few entertainments, and help enrich their minds.

   Of the US$1.5 billion pledged by Japan as grant aid to Iraq, US$1.4 billion have so far been extended.

   Related Information (Ceremony to Present Television Equipment and Provision of Television Programs to Samawah, Iraq)
   
7. Upcoming visit by Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa Keitaro Sato to Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria

   Mr. Chiba: As for Africa, His Excellency Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa, will visit the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 17 January. In Ghana, he will observe the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit and will discuss assistance in the field of consolidation of peace. In Sierra Leone, he will exchange views with his counterparts concerning consolidation of peace and reconstruction, as a follow-up to the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III). In Nigeria, he will observe the African Union (AU) Summit. This will be his 11th visit to Africa since he was appointed to his post in 2003.

   Related Information (Japan-Ghana Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Sierra Leone Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Nigeria Relations)
   
8. Visit to Japan by Chairman of the Council of Ministers Marek Belka of the Republic of Poland

   Mr. Chiba: Now, to Europe. H.E. Professor Marek Belka, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland, is visiting Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Government. He had an audience with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince yesterday. Today, he will have audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, followed by a memorial service to the late Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku, who was a close colleague of his during his days in Iraq.

   Chairman Belka will meet Prime Minister Koizumi this evening to discuss about bilateral relations and the international situation, followed by a dinner. This will be the first visit of a Polish Prime Minister to Japan since 1999.

   Related Information (Japan-Poland Joint Press Release)
   
9. Upcoming visit to Japan by Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada

   Mr. Chiba: Another Prime Minister's visit across the Pacific.

   Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada will visit Japan from 19 to 20 January at the invitation of the Japanese Government. During his stay, he will have audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and also will discuss bilateral issues, the aftermath of the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, UN reform, regional issues and issues of mutual concern. Prime Minister Martin will also visit the Kingdom of Thailand, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). This is his first visit to Japan as Prime Minister and the first official visit by a Canadian Prime Minister since 1999.

   Related Information (The Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada, to Visit Japan)
   
10. Upcoming visit to Japan by Nikkei leaders from Latin American countries

    Mr. Chiba: From Latin America, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will invite 26 young Nikkei leaders from 19 to 29 January. Mindful of the fact that the Nikkei people built the foundation of the friendly relationship between Japan and Latin America, a conference on the role of Nikkei people will be held on 25 January. Lectures and visits to industrial and cultural institutions as well as localities are also scheduled.

    This program is in realization of the initiative for the exchange of people, which Prime Minister Koizumi launched in his New Japan-Latin America and Caribbean Partnership Address during his visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil last September.

    Related Information (Japan-Latin America and the Caribbean Relations)
    
11. Question concerning 60th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII.

    Q: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). Is Japan planning any commemorative events especially for this occasion?

    Mr. Chiba: This year marks not only the 60th anniversary of the end of the war but is an important year for many bilateral relations that Japan enjoys with its friends. For example, with the Russian Federation, where Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura is currently visiting, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of bilateral ties. In such a year, Japan is determined to cherish bilateral relationships, reflect what is to be reflected and strive to construct a forward-looking relationship with all countries concerned.

    Related Information (Historical Issues)