Press Conference 27 May 2005
- Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation
- Japan-China Consultations on the East China Sea
- Economic cooperation project for the reconstruction of Iraq (Project for construction of diesel power station in Samawah)
- Grant assistance to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Grant assistance to the Republic of Estonia
- Guests and national/special days of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (28 May - 3 June)
- Question concerning two former Japanese soldiers in the Republic of the Philippines
- Question concerning North Korean nuclear issue
- Upcoming visit to Japan by Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation
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.
Number one, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation will visit Japan from 31 May to 1 June. Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Japan was agreed upon between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Foreign Minister Lavrov himself at the 16th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting held in Santiago, Republic of Chile last November, with the aim of making the necessary preparations for the forthcoming visit of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to Japan.
While in Tokyo, Foreign Minister Lavrov will have talks with Foreign Minister Machimura.
- Japan-China Consultations on the East China Sea
Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the Japan-China meeting on maritime issues.
The Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China agreed to hold a consultative meeting on maritime issues on 30 and 31 May in Beijing.
From the Japanese side, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Kenichiro Sasae of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director-General of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Nobuyori Kodaira of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will attend the meeting.
The agenda of the meeting will include the issue of the exploration and development of natural resources in the East China Sea.
- Economic cooperation project for the reconstruction of Iraq (Project for construction of diesel power station in Samawah)
Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about assistance to Iraq, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Republic of Estonia.
The Government of Japan decided to provide 12.7 billion yen or US$118.0 million to the Government of Iraq to build a diesel power station with a power generation capacity of 60 megawatts (MW) in Samawah city in the southern part of Iraq.
Iraq needs urgently to improve the electricity supply, and this is true of Samawah and the Governorate of Al-Muthanna, which are the main targets of Japan's assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq. At present, it is said that the whole of the Governorate of Al-Muthanna needs about 200MW electricity but receives only 40-50MW supply.
To make matters worse, the Governorate has no power station and has to depend on other governorates for electricity. Frequent blackouts lasting many hours occur in Samawah and other areas of Al-Muthanna, with a serious impact on the life of the residents. The Governorate of Al-Muthanna has therefore repeatedly requested Japan to extend large-scale assistance in the field of electricity supply.
With this assistance, Japan has completed the implementation of the US$1.5 billion grant that it pledged as grant aid for immediate needs for the reconstruction of Iraq.
- Grant assistance to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Mr. Takashima: Also, the Government of Japan decided to provide 1.43 billion yen or approximately US$10.0 million to the Government of Sri Lanka to build the Manampitiya highway bridge.
The existing bridge which is old and narrow is being used as a dual-use bridge for road and railroad and causes heavy traffic jam. It is expected that upon the completion of this highway bridge, traffic jam will be eliminated and economic activities in the area will be greatly enhanced.
- Grant assistance to the Republic of Estonia
Mr. Takashima: The Government of Japan also decided to provide grant assistance of 23.0 million yen or US$22,000 to the Government of Estonia to supply Japanese language learning equipment to Tallinn University.
- Guests and national/special days of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (28 May - 3 June)
Mr. Takashima: The next announcement is about the visit of dignitaries to the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan for the coming week.
President Marc Ravalomanana of the Republic of Madagascar will visit Japan from 28 May to 3 June to attend the National Day event at the Expo site on 30 May. Minister of External Trade Chantal Ngalula Mulumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will visit Japan from 29 May to 2 June to attend the National Day event on 31 May. President Traian Basescu of Romania will visit Japan from 31 May to 2 June to attend the National Day event on 1 June at the Expo site. President Basescu will be accompanied by his wife. Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley of the Kingdom of Bhutan will visit Japan from 1 to 4 June to attend the National Day event on 2 June. Lastly, Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand will visit Japan from 31 May to 4 June to attend the National Day event on 3 June at the Expo site.
The Government of Japan is pleased to welcome the above-mentioned dignitaries who will visit Japan as Guests of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan.
- Question concerning two former Japanese soldiers in the Republic of the Philippines
Q: Could you tell us about the latest information the Japanese Government has obtained about the two people who are believed to be former Japanese soldiers remaining in the Republic of the Philippines?
Mr. Takashima: We received information that the two possible Japanese ex-soldiers were found in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. In order to confirm this and to meet with those two people, the staff members of the Japanese Embassy in Manila and the Consular Office of Japan in Davao are now heading towards the area where those two people are reportedly residing. No information has been conveyed to us yet. I do not think that the meeting has been held yet.
- Question concerning North Korean nuclear issue
Q: My question concerns the possible nuclear test by North Korea. On North Korean TV, it was reported that there is no truth in the report of a possible nuclear test. It said that the report was fabricated by the US side. What is the Japanese Government's position on this issue?
Mr. Takashima: We are aware of the press report saying that a nuclear test might be conducted by North Korea, but we do not have any independent information to confirm or deny this report. However, we do not foresee any possibility of an imminent nuclear test conducted by North Koreans.
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