Press Conference 4 March 2005

1. Exchange of diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
2. Third Japan-Egypt joint medical cooperation for Iraq
3. Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonidas Rosa Bautista of the Republic of Honduras
4. Upcoming visit to Japan by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An of the Kingdom of Cambodia
5. Upcoming visit to Japan by Japanese American leaders
6. Assistance for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
7. Question concerning situation in the Republic of Lebanon
8. Question concerning Japan-Syria relations
9. Questions concerning 2005 World Exposition regarding the People's Republic of China
10. Question concerning Takeshima Island
11. Question concerning visit to Japan by Israeli officials
12. Question concerning official development assistance (ODA) to China

1. Exchange of diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

   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.

   First, an exchange of diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Japan-Mexico Economic Partnership Agreement (Agreement between Japan and the United Mexican States to Strengthen the Economic Partnership) took place in Mexico on Thursday, 3 March, between Japanese Ambassador to Mexico Mutsuyoshi Nishimura and Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista of Mexico. With this exchange of diplomatic notes, the EPA will enter into force on 1 April 2005.

   The EPA will enhance the bilateral economic partnership between Japan and Mexico by promoting trade and investment liberalization as well as the free movement of business-related personnel between the two countries. At the same time, it establishes a legal framework that promotes a comprehensive economic partnership including cooperation in the areas of competition policy, development of the business environment, human resources development and assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

   It is expected that the EPA's entry into force will further vitalize the economies of both countries, with the bilateral economic partnership between Japan and Mexico strengthened in a wide range of areas as the two countries take full advantage of their fundamental mutual complementarities.

   Related Information (Japan-Mexico Relations)
   
2. Third Japan-Egypt joint medical cooperation for Iraq

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the training for Iraqi medical doctors and nurses.

   The Government of Japan will conduct a medical training program for 117 Iraqi medical doctors and nurses from 5 to 26 March at the Cairo University Hospital in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt. This is the third medical training program that Japan will provide to Iraqi doctors and nurses in collaboration with the Egyptian Government. Sixty seven doctors and fifty nurses from various parts of Iraq will be given training in the areas of endoscopic surgery, intensive care unit (ICU), nursing, oncology and oncopathology.

   Upon completion of this training program, a total of 332 medical doctors and nurses will have completed this Japan-Egypt joint assistance program for Iraqi people which is highly appreciated by the Iraqi side.

   Related Information (The Third Japan-Egypt Joint Medical Cooperation for Iraq)
   
3. Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonidas Rosa Bautista of the Republic of Honduras

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Leonidas Rosa Bautista of the Republic of Honduras.

   Foreign Minister Bautista of Honduras will pay a visit to Japan from 6 to 9 March as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. While in Japan, Foreign Minister Bautista will meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and discuss such issues as bilateral relations, United Nations (UN) reform and the Japan-Central America Summit Meeting to be held in August of this year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Central American countries.

   Related Information (Japan-Honduras Relations)
   
4. Upcoming visit to Japan by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An of the Kingdom of Cambodia

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the visit of Deputy Prime Minister Sok An of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

   Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers Sok An of Cambodia will pay a visit to Japan from 7 to 12 March as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. While in Tokyo, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An will be meeting with high-ranking government officials of Japan to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, among others. Deputy Prime Minister Sok An also plans to meet with business leaders and visit the Kansai area before he returns to Cambodia.

   Related Information (Japan-Cambodia Relations)
   
5. Upcoming visit to Japan by Japanese American leaders

   Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about a visit by Japanese American leaders from the United States of America (U.S.).

   Twelve young leaders of the Japanese American community in the U.S. will be visiting Japan from 5 to 12 March at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership. The group will consist of young Japanese Americans from various sectors such as business, academia and mass media, and will be led by Ms. Irene Hirano, President of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. They will participate in a symposium on multi-cultural cohabitation to be held in Kobe on 7 March and meet with various people in Japan, including Her Imperial Highness Takamado.

   Related Information (Japan-The United States Relations)
   
6. Assistance for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

   Mr. Takashima: The last announcement that I have is about the assistance for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

   The Government of Japan today decided to provide grant assistance of 330 million yen or approximately US$3.0 million to Sri Lanka for an agricultural development project. The money will be used to purchase fertilizer and agricultural machines that will promote the food production program in Sri Lanka.

   The Government of Japan also decided to provide yen credit of up to 1.28 billion yen or approximately US$12.0 million for Sri Lanka to assist Sri Lankan Government's project to rehabilitate the electricity distribution system in the war-torn northern part of the nation.

   Related Information (Japan-Sri Lanka Relations)
   
7. Question concerning situation in the Republic of Lebanon

   Q: There are some reports about the tense situation between the US and the Syrian Arab Republic. Where does Japan stand in terms of this issue? Can you describe your policy toward Syria?

   Mr. Takashima: We are fully aware of the Lebanese situation and the public's call for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from the Republic of Lebanon. We would like to see the Syrian troops withdrawn from Lebanon in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and the previously expressed Syrian Government's intention. We hope that the Lebanese situation will be stabilized so that the Middle Eastern peace process will further advance.

   Related Information (Japan-Lebanon Relations)
   
8. Question concerning Japan-Syria relations

   Q: How do you describe your current relations with Syria?

   Mr. Takashima: With Syria, Japan has very cordial relations. Then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi visited Syria in 2003 and had very thorough discussions with the Syrian President as well as the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The current state of relations is good.

   Related Information (Japan-Syria Relations)
   
9. Questions concerning 2005 World Exposition regarding the People's Republic of China

   Q: It has been reported that the Government of the People's Republic of China requested Japan to expand the special arrangement given to group tours to Japan to go beyond the previously arranged 12 cities and regions to include all of China at the time of the 2005 World Exposition. What is the Japanese Government's position on this?

   Mr. Takashima: My understanding is that the Chinese Government is still studying this proposal and has not yet given a reply to the Japanese side. Therefore, I have no comment. We are waiting for the Chinese reply.

   Q: If China insists that the arrangement should be implemented beyond the duration of the 2005 World Exposition, how will the Japanese Government react?

   Mr. Takashima: We are waiting for the Chinese reply. I would like to refrain from answering a hypothetical question.

   Q: The visa waiver for Taiwanese tourists will become effective starting on 11 March. Will the Japanese Government be able to implement the special arrangement for Chinese tourists by then?

   Mr. Takashima: We are waiting for the Chinese reply. At the same time, let me remind you that the 2005 World Exposition will continue until September of this year.

   Related Information (Exemption of Visa Fee for Foreigners Visiting the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan)
   Related Information (Japan-China Relations)
   
10. Question concerning Takeshima Island

    Q: I would like to ask you about a topic related to the territorial dispute between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Members of the Shimane Prefecture Assembly assembled a bill commemorating the Takeshima Island. They are likely to take a poll, possibly on 16 March. Some official from the central government expressed displeasure over the local move. Can you clarify the current position of the Japanese Government?

    Mr. Takashima: It is a matter dealt by the local autonomous areas, and the central government has no say. Therefore, I have no comment.

    Related Information (The Issue of Takeshima)
    
11. Question concerning visit to Japan by Israeli officials

    Q: There have been some reports about a possible visit to Japan by Israeli leaders in the next months. What is the current situation?

    Mr. Takashima: First, when Foreign Minister Machimura visited Jerusalem earlier this year, he reiterated the invitation for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of the State of Israel to come to Japan. It is still pending, and nothing has been decided yet. At the same time, another Israeli government official will be visiting Japan to attend a symposium. Further than that, we have no plan of inviting any other officials.

    Q: Who is this official and what symposium?

    Mr. Takashima: The symposium is the Israel-Japan Hi-Tech and Venture Capital Forum 2005. As for the official, his visit has yet to be confirmed.

    Q: How about Palestinian officials?

    Mr. Takashima: Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura has also extended the invitation to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. He accepted the invitation but the date has not been set yet.

    Related Information (Japan-Israel Relations)
    
12. Question concerning official development assistance (ODA) to China

    Q: It has been reported that the Japanese Government will terminate its official development assistance (ODA) to China in the year 2008 when China hosts the Beijing Olympic Games. Is it true?

    Mr. Takashima: The Governments of Japan and China are currently discussing through diplomatic channels the future arrangement of ODA, especially yen credits from Japan to China. No timetable has been set, and the Government of Japan wishes that the issue of yen credits to China will be settled in a mutually acceptable and cordial manner.

    Related Information (Japan's ODA)