Internet Press Chat Conference 24 November 2005
- Presidential election in the Republic of Liberia (confirmation of the election results)
- Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation
- Visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki to Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East
- Seminar on Crisis Management (provisional name)
- The 25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy
- Debt relief measures for the Republic of Iraq
- Grant aid to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the Project for Infectious Disease Prevention for Children in the Republic of Sierra Leone
- Grant aid (food aid) to the Republic of Guinea
- Grant aid for the Project for Reinforcement of the Immunization Program in the Republic of Haiti
- Follow-up questions concerning debt relief measures for Iraq
- Question concerning meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari of Iraq
- Follow-up question concerning the 25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy
- Question concerning gas fields in the East China Sea
- Presidential election in the Republic of Liberia (confirmation of the election results)
Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon. Thank you for joining the regular internet chat conference. Let me make several announcements before I take questions.
The first item is about the Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the presidential election in the Republic of Liberia (confirmation of the election results).
The election of Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of the United Party (UP) has been formally confirmed in the presidential election of Liberia, as the National Election Commission of Liberia announced on 23 November (Wed) the final results of the run-off vote on 8 November (Tue), which followed the first-round of vote held on 11 October (Tue). The Government of Japan extends congratulations to the people of Liberia as well as to Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf on her becoming the next president and also on her being the first female president elected by vote in Africa in an election that has been held at such a critical junction when the transitional government is shifting to a fully-fledged government.
Japan has been extending steady support to Liberia, considering that achieving sustainable peace in Liberia is extremely important not only for the country but also for Africa as a whole.
Japan intends to maintain, or even strengthen, existing friendly relations with Liberia, paying attention to the progress the country makes toward democratization, and hopes that the new government elected by the will of the people will strive for the consolidation of peace, rehabilitation and development.
- Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation
Mr. Taniguchi: The second item is about the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation to be held on 25 November (Fri) in Tokyo.
The Consultation on the Japanese side will be headed by Mr. Takeshi Nakane, Director-General, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Scientific Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ROK side by Ms. Kang Kyung-hwa, Head of Policy Planning and International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is expected that the Consultation will take up a wide range of matters relating to the field of disarmament and non-proliferation as a whole. In particular, Japan intends to discuss the maintenance and reinforcement of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) regime, the issue of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, conventional weapons as well as biological and chemical weapons, and deepen mutual understanding between Japan and the ROK in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. We intend to make the Consultation an opportunity to explore the possibility of enhancing our cooperation.
Related Information (Japan-ROK Relations)
Related Information (Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation) - Visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki to Beijing, People's Republic of China
Mr. Taniguchi: The third item is about the visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki to the People's Republic of China.
Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki will visit Beijing, China from 25 to 27 November.
During his visit to China, Mr. Shiozaki will exchange views concerning Japan-China relations in general and regional affairs, among others, with government officials concerned, and, in a private capacity, will attend the Beijing Regional Conference of the Pacific Asia Group for the Trilateral Commission.
- Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about the Seminar Series to Understand the Middle East.
A seminar in the Series to Understand the Middle East, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City and the Japan Foundation, will be held on 25 November (Fri) at the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, in cooperation with the Saitama City Association for Global Awareness and the Middle East Institute of Japan.
At the seminar, H. E. Mr. Eli-Eliahu Cohen, Ambassador of the Republic of Israel to Japan, and Professor Hirokazu Oikawa of Kyorin University will give lectures, followed by question and answer sessions and discussion with the audience.
The 9-11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America (US), the situation in Iraq and other factors have heightened public interest in Japan toward the Middle Eastern countries.
In this context, it is important for the people of both Japan and the Middle Eastern countries to gain a correct understanding, from various viewpoints, of the relations of the two regions and the culture and philosophy of each Middle Eastern country, in order to foster the relationship between the two regions based on mutual understanding. In consideration of the significance of this issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been conducting the Seminar Series to understand the Middle East mainly in regional cities of Japan. It is also expected that through such occasions, interchanges between students from Middle Eastern countries studying in the cities and the local people will be further promoted.
- Seminar on Crisis Management (provisional name)
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about a "Seminar on Crisis Management (provisional name)."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold a seminar on crisis management with the aim to provide information on terrorist activities and counter-terrorism measures on 8 December (Thu) in Nagoya, and 9 (Fri) in Kanazawa in collaboration with local economic associations. This seminar aims to protect the Japanese and Japanese companies overseas from terrorism and abduction.
- The 25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about the "25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy."
The "25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy" will be held on 24 November at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tokyo). In this meeting, chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, and attended by Mr. Toshio Watanabe, President of the Takushoku University and other members of the Board, items such as "the review and improvement of the official development assistance (ODA)" as well as country assistance programmes (Republic of India, People's Republic of Bangladesh and Lao People's Democratic Republic) will be discussed.
- Debt relief measures for the Republic of Iraq
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about debt relief measures for the Republic of Iraq.
Based on the agreement reached at the conference of creditor countries (Paris Club) held in Paris on 21 November 2004 (Sun) concerning the treatment of the debt of the Republic of Iraq, negotiations were held between the Government of Japan and the Government of Iraq regarding debt relief measures (debt cancellation, deferral and rescheduling). As a result of the negotiations, both Governments agreed upon the details of the conditions of debt relief. Notes to this effect were exchanged on 24 November (Thurs) at the Iikura House in Tokyo between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso of Japan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari of the Republic of Iraq.
The content of the debt relief measures is as follows: with regard to the debts concerned, certain debts that the Republic of Iraq owes to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and commercial debts insured by the Government of Japan. Japan ranks first among Paris Club creditor countries in terms of credit. The total amount of debts concerned is approximately 889,000 million yen (approximately US$7,600 million). The rescheduling interest rate will be 2.571% per annum for debts contracted in yen, 4.854% per annum for debts contracted in US dollars.
Related Information (Press Release)
Related Information (The Issue of Iraq) - Grant aid to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the Project for Infectious Disease Prevention for Children in the Republic of Sierra Leone
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about grant aid to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the Project for Infectious Disease Prevention for Children of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid of up to 310 million yen to UNICEF with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Project for Infectious Disease Prevention for Children in the Republic of Sierra Leone. Notes to this effect were exchanged on 22 November (Tue) in Freetown between Mr. Masamichi Ishikawa, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, and Mr. Geert Cappelaere, Representative of the UNICEF Office in Sierra Leone.
It is expected that the implementation of this project will improve the health of approximately 300,000 children and pregnant women through the implementation of measures against malaria and acute respiratory disease in three regions (Bombali, Koinadugu and Kono). It is also expected that the project will enable the immunization of approximately 300,000 infants under the age of one together with pregnant women nationwide through the provision of immunization vaccines, thereby improving the immunization rate and contribute to reducing the mortality rate of infants dying from preventable infectious diseases.
- Grant aid (food aid) to the Republic of Guinea
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about grant aid (food aid) to the Republic of Guinea.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid (food aid) of up to 300 million yen to the Government of the Republic of Guinea. Notes to this effect were exchanged on 23 November (Wed) in Conakry, the capital city of Guinea, between Mr. Rinzo Kataoka, Japanese Ambassador to Guinea, and Mr. Elhadj Thierno Habib Diallo, Minister of Cooperation of the Republic of Guinea.
- Grant aid for the Project for Reinforcement of the Immunization Program in the Republic of Haiti
Mr. Taniguchi: The next item is about grant aid for the Project for Reinforcement of the Immunization Program in the Republic of Haiti.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid totaling 203 million yen to the Government of the Republic of Haiti, through UNICEF. Notes to this effect were exchanged on 23 November (Wed) (22 (Tue) local time) in Port-au-Prince between Mr. Masato Futaishi, Japanese Charge d'Affaires ad interim to Haiti, and Mr. Adriano Gonzalez-Regueral, UNICEF Representative in Haiti. It is expected that this assistance will reinforce the immunization implementation structure in Haiti and strengthen its measures against infectious diseases through vaccinations for infants and parturient women.
- Follow-up questions concerning debt relief measures for Iraq
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Taniguchi. Today's agreement between Iraq and Japan on debt relief has paved the way for Japan to resume yen loans to help rebuild Iraq. Has the Japanese Government already decided as to when it will resume the loans and related projects?
Mr. Taniguchi: We are currently in Iraq conducting a host of relief efforts, and we are glad that we have come to this agreement about Japan's debt relief. However, as far as new yen loans are concerned, nothing has been decided yet. At any rate, we are doing our utmost by using our Self-Defense Force (SDF) presence and our ODA efforts as "two wheels" to help support the efforts of the Iraqi people to rebuild their nation.
Q: In relation to the earlier question on the resumption of yen loans, was that discussed during the working luncheon between the Iraqi and Japanese foreign ministers?
Mr. Taniguchi: During the luncheon meeting, there was no talk either about debt relief or about new loans.
- Question concerning meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari of Iraq
Q: During the meeting with Foreign Minister Aso today, did Foreign Minister Zebari mention SDF activities in Iraq or ask for the continued presence of the SDF in Iraq beyond the current deadline of 14 December?
Mr. Taniguchi: Foreign Minister Zebari did mention SDF activities in Iraq. The details of the exchanges are as follows. Foreign Minister Zebari said that the transition of the security function is under way in Iraq and that the Iraqi side believes that the stationing of the SDF will come to an end in the future, yet as Iraq is going through an important stage at the moment, it (Forces) is necessary. Foreign Minister Aso thanked Foreign Minister Zebari for his explanation and said that the Government of Japan will make its own decision soon, taking into consideration its responsibilities in the international community and the situation surrounding its assistance to Iraq.
- Follow-up question concerning the 25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy
Q: Sir, are you familiar with what Foreign Minister Aso has said in his address at today's 25th Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy? Did he give any remarks about ODA policies of other countries such as those of Europe or the US?
Mr. Taniguchi: Japan continues to strive for ODA reform, and the Board on Comprehensive ODA Strategy is an important instrument for this. As to your question, there was no mention from Foreign Minister Aso concerning our ODA policy in comparison to other countries.
- Question concerning gas fields in the East China Sea
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Taniguchi. What is the status of the bilateral talks between Japan and China on the development in the contested gas fields in the East China Sea? Has the working-level talks been undertaken after the cancellation of the senior-official level talks in October?
Mr. Taniguchi: I regret to say that the Chinese side has not yet responded to our request that the bilateral talks on that very issue be resumed as soon as possible. Our basic position to make the East China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation remains unchanged. Our hope is that the Chinese side agrees to resolve the issue according to established international norms of equity.
As it seems that you have no more questions, I would like to end today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference. Tomorrow I will have the regular press conference at 13:45, not at 14:00. I will see you there. If not, see you at the next Regular Internet Chat Press Conference.
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