Press Conference 4 February 2005

1. Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President George W. Bush of the United States of America
2. Upcoming visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa to the Republic of Indonesia and the Commonwealth of Australia
3. Japan's Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance (ODA)
4. Situation in the Kingdom of Nepal
5. Question concerning realignment of US Forces
6. Question concerning countermeasures for water pollution

1. Telephone conversation between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President George W. Bush 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 four announcements before I take questions.

   Firstly, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had a telephone conversation with President George W. Bush of the United States of America (US) last night in which they discussed such issues as the Iraqi situation, North Korea and the new US Ambassador to Japan.

   The telephone call was made by President Bush who praised Japan's support for Iraq which has recently completed a very successful election. He also congratulated Prime Minister Koizumi and the people of Japan for their foresight and contribution toward world peace. In return, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his appreciation and respect for President Bush's strong faith, commitment and the noble sacrifices the American people made for all their achievements.

   On North Korea, the two leaders agreed that Japan and the US will continue to cooperate closely to resolve North Korean issues through the Six-Party Talks and to let North Korea realize that the world is seriously tackling North Korean issues through this framework of the Six-Party Talks.

   On the new US Ambassador to Japan, President Bush introduced Ambassador-designate John Thomas Schieffer as a very able person who will work effectively to promote the mutual cooperation between Japan and the US. Prime Minister Koizumi responded by saying that he was looking forward to welcoming Ambassador Schieffer to Japan.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
2. Upcoming visit by Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa to the Republic of Indonesia and the Commonwealth of Australia

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa.

   Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa will visit the Republic of Indonesia and the Commonwealth of Australia from 8 to 14 February. In Indonesia, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Aisawa will visit Banda Aceh and observe the activities of Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) which has been providing emergency assistance such as medical care and disease protection activities to the local people victimized by the outbreak of the tsunami.

   In addition, he will meet with the officials of the Indonesian Government to exchange views on Japan's further assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

   In Australia, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Aisawa will attend the third Japan-Australia conference and discuss the various agenda regarding Japan-Australia relations with the political, economic and academic leaders of both countries.

   Related Information (Japan-Indonesia Relations)
   Related Information (Japan-Australia Relations)
   
3. Japan's Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance (ODA)

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance (ODA).

   At today's Cabinet meeting, the Government of Japan adopted the Medium-Term Policy on ODA as a basic policy guideline for the formulation and implementation of Japan's ODA for the coming three to five years.

   This Medium-Term Policy is drafted through a wide range of discussions including public hearings and puts emphasis on the viewpoints of human security and poverty eradication among others. In the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, it also pays attention to large scale disasters by expressing Japanese Government's intention to expand its cooperative activities in this field by utilizing Japan's expertise and technology.

   The full text of this Medium-Term Policy will be posted on our website soon.

   Related Information (Overview of Japan's Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance)
   
4. Situation in the Kingdom of Nepal

   Mr. Takashima: The last one is for the record, on the Japanese Government's reaction to the situation in the Kingdom of Nepal.

   The Government of Japan is carefully watching the volatile political situation in the Kingdom of Nepal in the wake of the recent dismissal of the prime minister and the dissolution of the Council of Ministers. The Government of Japan hopes that Nepal's political crisis will be solved as soon as possible.

   Japan also hopes that Nepal will recover its peace and stability as soon as possible on the basis of democracy and constitutional monarchy.

   If political leaders are being detained, the Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the situation and strongly urges that they be released and that the freedom guaranteed by the constitution restored promptly.

   Japan also urges the Maoists to achieve peace through dialogue.

   Related Information (Japan-Nepal Relations)
   
5. Question concerning realignment of US Forces

   Q: On the planned realignment of US military forces, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told the leaders of the municipalities hosting these bases that the Government is very willing to hold some talks and meetings through which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will listen to the local leaders. Could you go into more detail about that?

   Mr. Takashima: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of, so far as the US military bases in Japan are concerned, solving any sort of problems arising from the US military facilities and forces in Japan, those issues related to the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America in order to reduce the burden on the people in Okinawa, and also, those areas where US military installations and facilities are based. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is negotiating with the US Government and US armed forces to tackle this issue and try to reduce the burden of those who are affected by the fact that the US military facilities are there.

   Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura is looking forward to having talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of the US as soon as possible in order to discuss this issue.

   Concerning the meeting between Foreign Minister Machimura and leaders of municipalities, Foreign Minister Machimura met with Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture Shigefumi Matsuzawa, Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Keiichi Inamine and other officials of six prefectures where US military facilities are located, on 1 February at the Foreign Ministry. The leaders and officials presented the letter of request to the Government of Japan to make utmost effort to realize the amendment of the Status of Forces Agreement between Japan and the US and to respect the local governments' will and demand when the Government conducts talks and negotiations on the realignment transformation of US Forces in Japan with the US Government.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
6. Question concerning countermeasures for water pollution

   Q: There is a new law that will take effect on 1 March that would require smaller ships to have instruments to reduce environmental pollution. Many people speculate that such a measure will be a part of the sanctions against North Korean ships. Could you explain to us why the measure is taking effect at this time?

   Mr. Takashima: This measure is in the process of implementation because there were many incidents involving abandoned ships. They cause pollution in many coastal areas of Japan, including Hitachi port. This measure will be implemented universally. There are no nations or ships to be specified in implementing this special measure for tightening the policy of insurance against water pollution, that is to require ships weighing 100 tons or more, entering Japanese ports to have protection and indemnity insurance to pay for any damage caused by shipwrecks in coastal waters of maritime products and port facilities as well as the damage and loss of human life. Again, this is to be implemented universally. If it is interpreted as being a sort of pressure or action against North Koreans, it is up to them. As far as the law is concerned, the law applies to everybody.