Press Conference 28 January 2005

1. Telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of the United States of America
2. Issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals
3. Participation in international observation of the national assembly election of Iraq
4. Assistance materials for the areas suffering from the disaster caused by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean
5. Deployment of UK Forces to the Governorate of Al Muthanna
6. Financial assistance for Mongolia
7. Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East and Islam
8. Question concerning visa waiver for visitors from Taiwan

1. Telephone conversation between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of the United States of America

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon and thank you very much for coming to the briefing. Today, I would like to make several announcements before I take questions.

   Firstly, Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura had a telephone conversation with newly appointed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of the United States of America (US) this morning to express his congratulations on her assumption of the office. During this conversation, Foreign Minister Machimura expressed his appreciation for Dr. Rice's outstanding achievements as a National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush of the US during the past four years and his wish to convene a 2+2 meeting at the earliest possible time. Foreign Minister Machimura also said that he was considering visiting Dr. Rice in Washington at her convenience or welcoming Dr. Rice in Tokyo as soon as possible.

   Apart from this issue which will be handled by the officials of both governments, Foreign Minister Machimura and US Secretary of State Rice discussed such issues as the Middle East, especially the peace process between Israel and Palestinian Autonomous Areas, Iraqi situation, United Nations (UN) reform, transformation of US Forces, North Korea, among others. They agreed to closely cooperate with each other to tackle those important international agendas.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
2. Issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is related to North Korea.

   The Government of Japan officially conveyed to North Korea its demand that North Korea clarify and explain the bone fragments which it claims are those of Ms. Megumi Yokota and other wrong or insufficient information on the abduction cases.

   This demand was made in response to North Korea's memorandum handed over to us through the "embassy" channel in Beijing. In making this demand, the Government of Japan reiterated that it will have to take stringent measures toward North Korea if this kind of action and attitude remain as the response of North Korea. If such kind of action continues, the Government of Japan intends to further explore the possibility of actual implementation of these stringent measures.

   Related Information (Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Issue of the Abduction of Japanese Nationals)
   
3. Participation in international observation of the national assembly election of Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the participation of Japanese officials in the international observation of the national assembly election of Iraq.

   Regarding the national assembly election of Iraq slated for 28 to 30 January, the Government of Japan has decided to have officials of the Japanese Embassies in the French Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Turkey, Kingdom of Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom (UK) participate in the international observation of the overseas voting in their respective countries.

   To help this election in Iraq, Japan has so far contributed US$40 million for the election and conducted election management training for members of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq.

   Related Information (Japan to Participate in International Observation of the OCV (Out-of-Country-Voting) of the National Assembly Election of Iraq)
   
4. Assistance materials for the areas suffering from the disaster caused by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the shipment of Japanese humanitarian assistance goods to the Republic of Indonesia.

   The Government of Japan is pleased to receive offers from many private companies and local governments to provide various kinds of aid materials for the victims of the disaster caused by the major earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean without compensation. Responding to those generous offers, the Government of Japan has decided to send aid materials to Indonesia utilizing many kinds of help in succession: with the support of ministries and agencies, private warehouses which provide free storage and customs clearance, air carriers which provide free transportation, Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) which provide transportation and delivery in affected areas as part of its international relief operations, and international organizations. Following the decision, the first flight to transport the materials departed this morning from Narita International Airport for Indonesia via Bangkok.

   The assistance project plans to carry and distribute food, sanitary goods, medical and pharmaceutical products, water-proof sheets and other items weighing in total several dozens of tons, and will transport them one after another as soon as the preparations are over. Activity such as this supported by the Government hand-in-hand with the private sector will be the first case, and the Government of Japan intends to proceed with the project promptly and steadily.

   Related Information (Major Earthquake off the Coast of Sumatra and Tsunami in the Indian Ocean)
   
5. Deployment of UK Forces to the Governorate of Al Muthanna

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the deployment of UK Forces to the Governorate of Al Muthanna.

   The Government of Japan welcomes the decision of the UK Government to deploy 600 troops to the Governorate of Al Muthanna in the southern part of Iraq following the withdrawal of Dutch troops from that area which is scheduled for March of this year. The Government of Japan wishes to express its appreciation for the activities of the Dutch troops to maintain security in the area where the Japanese SDF are stationed. The Government of Japan will closely cooperate with the UK Government on the maintenance of security in that area.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
6. Financial assistance for Mongolia

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the financial assistance for Mongolia.

   The Government of Japan today decided to provide financial grant assistance of 300 million yen (US$2.9 million) to the Government of Mongolia to support Mongolia's effort to overcome financial difficulties and to achieve economic reform. This grant assistance will be used to pay for the importation of goods necessary for the economic structural reforms in Mongolia.

   Related Information (Japan-Mongolia Relations)
   
7. Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East and Islam

   Mr. Takashima: The final announcement is about the seminar Series to Understand the Middle East and Islam.

   A seminar in the Series to Understand the Middle East and Islam, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Japan Foundation and Hiroshima International Center, will be held in Hiroshima on 6 February at the Hiroshima International Center, in cooperation with the Middle East Institute of Japan.

   At the seminar, Dr. Kahatan Al-Syoufi, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to Japan, and Professor Masaki Uno of Hiroshima City University, will give lectures, followed by question and answer sessions and discussion with the audience, and comments by and discussion with exchange students from the Middle Eastern countries. This is the fifth seminar in the Series which started last year.

   Related Information (Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East and Islam)
   
8. Question concerning visa waiver for visitors from Taiwan

   Q: Is the visa waiver for Taiwanese tourists to Japan for the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi going to be realized through parliamentary legislation?

   Mr. Takashima: Since this issue is handled by the Diet, the Government is not in a position to make any comment. My understanding, however, is that a draft legislation will be proposed by a member of the Diet in the near future and will be discussed in due course. The Diet action is expected to be completed in time for the 2005 World Exposition which will start on 25 March of this year.

   Related Information (Taiwan)