Press Conference 7 February 2006
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of a resolution concerning Iran's nuclear issue at the Extraordinary meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the difficult situation over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad
- Exemption of temporary visitors' visa for nationals of the Republic of Korea
- The Fourth Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue
- Amnesty to members of the opposition party in Cambodia
- Japan-France deputy ministerial talks
- The 3rd Round of Negotiation for the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement
- Food aid to the Republic of Djibouti
- Follow-up questions concerning the Fourth Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue
- Questions concerning Taiwan
- Question concerning visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Manucher Mottaki of Iran
- Questions concerning Iran's nuclear issue
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the adoption of a resolution concerning Iran's nuclear issue at the Extraordinary meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors
Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Hello everyone, thank you very much for coming. Beginning today we are going to have the Tuesday press conferences at 11:00, not in the afternoon at 14:00 as has been the case. I have eight items in total to announce.
First, there is a statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the adoption of a resolution concerning the nuclear issue of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Extraordinary meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.
On 4 February, at the Extraordinary meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors held in Vienna, the Board adopted by a majority a resolution concerning Iran's nuclear issue. Japan values the adoption of this resolution and strongly hopes that Iran will take this resolution seriously and respond to it sincerely.
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations on the difficult situation over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad
Mr. Taniguchi: Next is also about a statement by the Press Secretary on the difficult situation over the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Japan expresses concern about the difficult situation over the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in the Kingdom of Denmark and other Western European countries. Japan fully understands the distress felt by the Muslims at the publication of the caricatures. However, violence and vandalism are not acceptable for any reason. We urge all parties concerned to reduce tension and to refrain from any action or statement that might aggravate the situation.
- Exemption of temporary visitors' visa for nationals of the Republic of Korea
Mr. Taniguchi: The third item is about the exemption of temporary visitors' visa for nationals of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
The Government of Japan has decided to exempt visas for nationals of the ROK, who wish to enter Japan as temporary visitor for a period of 90 days or less, from 1 March, on the premise that the Government of the ROK will take the same measures for Japanese nationals.
- The Fourth Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue
Mr. Taniguchi: Fourthly, about the Fourth Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue. It is going to be held on 10 and 11 February. From Japan, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi is going to take part, and from the People's Republic of China, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo will join. The venue may be Tokyo or outside of Tokyo, but I am afraid I cannot say where that place is going to be.
- Amnesty to members of the opposition party in Cambodia
Mr. Taniguchi: Fifthly, amnesty to members of the opposition party in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Japan welcomes the news that the King of Cambodia has given amnesty to the leader of the Sam Rainsy Party, Mr. Sam Rainsy, and Mr. Cheam Channy.
- Japan-France deputy ministerial talks
Mr. Taniguchi: Next, there is also going to be a policy dialogue between Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yachi and his counterpart in the French Republic, and that is going to be held on 8 February in Tokyo. From France, Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lafon of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is going to join.
- The 3rd Round of Negotiation for the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement
Mr. Taniguchi: From 9 to 14 February in the Republic of Indonesia, there is going to be the 3rd Round of Negotiation for the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement. From Japan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka is going to join, and from Indonesia, Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat will take part.
Related Information (Japan-Indonesia Relations)
Related Information (FTA and EPA) - Food aid to the Republic of Djibouti
Mr. Taniguchi: The last item is about the food aid to the Republic of Djibouti. The amount of aid is 100 million yen, that is approximately US$850,000. The exchange of notes took place on 6 February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Japanese Ambassador to Djibouti in Ethiopia Kenjiro Izumi and Ambassador of Djibouti in Ethiopia Ibrahim Kamil signed the document.
- Follow-up questions concerning the Fourth Japan-China Comprehensive Policy Dialogue
Q: What are some of the topics that might be discussed at the upcoming dialogue with China?
Mr. Taniguchi: Because that is going to be a closed door meeting between the two vice ministers, we are not in a position to disclose anything. That is going to be, as I said, the fourth such meeting. To preserve the friendly atmosphere between the two, nothing is supposed to be disclosed.
Q: I wonder if we can have a list of participants from both sides. Also, what will be discussed at the dialogue?
Mr. Taniguchi: This is going to be a closed meeting, and nothing concrete about what sort of subject matters will be discussed can be disclosed as was the case for the previous three meetings between the vice ministers from Japan and China.
- Questions concerning Taiwan
Q: Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso made a speech on 4 February in Fukuoka, and he said that since Japan strengthened its compulsory education in Taiwan which Japan colonized, Taiwan became a country with a high education level. That is what Foreign Minister Aso seemed to have said, and the Spokesperson of China responded to this speech. Do you have any comments?
Mr. Taniguchi: Japan's position is twofold. First, the Japanese Government's views and thoughts about the past history involving Japan and China and Taiwan remain the same. Most notably, those views were expressed clearly on 15 August by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Secondly, as for Taiwan's status, that was also clearly stated in the Joint Communiqué between Japan and China when both nations normalized their diplomatic relationship. To the members of the Japanese press at the stakeout yesterday on 6 February, Foreign Minister Aso said that he never stated that Taiwan was a country and he understands fully that Taiwan is a region. So that is one thing that he mentioned. Also, there is a difference between what he actually said in his speech and the way in which it was reported afterwards. He pointed out the difference.
Q: What do you mean by Taiwan not being a country? What is it?
Mr. Taniguchi: Japan understands the Chinese position that China is one country and there is one China. The One China Policy that China has long maintained was understood by the Japanese Government when Japan signed the Communiqué with China.
- Question concerning visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Manucher Mottaki of Iran
Q: There are reports suggesting that Japan has invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to visit some time later this month. Can you tell us about the approximate date of arrival?
Mr. Taniguchi: I cannot say at the moment, but it is true that the Japanese Government is going to invite Foreign Minister Manucher Mottaki from Iran sometime in the near future. But at the moment I am afraid I cannot tell you when exactly the visit is going to take place. That is part of the ongoing overall good relationship that Japan has with the Iranian Government.
- Questions concerning Iran's nuclear issue
Q: So Japan is against the Iranian Government's position on the enrichment of uranium?
Mr. Taniguchi: It is, yes. That is why the Japanese Government welcomed the resolution of the IAEA as I said.
Q: Does Japan itself enrich uranium?
Mr. Taniguchi: It has nothing to do with what Japan does or does not do. What is important is to comply fully with some of the rules accepted by the international community, notably those set out by the IAEA. Japan has been very much faithful in obeying those rules.
Q: Does Japan understand the Iranian position on this issue?
Mr. Taniguchi: I do not think "to understand" is an appropriate word to use. The Japanese Government has been repeatedly saying to the Iranian Government that it should obey the resolutions of the IAEA and build confidence with the world community before attempting to use nuclear resources for civilian purposes. That is what the Japanese Government has repeatedly mentioned to the Iranian Government.
Q: Does that mean that Japan is in principle ready to go along with possible sanctions on Iran?
Mr. Taniguchi: It is too early to talk about sanctions. What Japan has said to the Iranian Government is that so long as Iran does not stop nuclear-related activities and build confidence with other members of the world community, and most importantly, follow some of the resolutions that have come from the IAEA, it would be inevitable for the issues to be brought to the floor of the United Nations (UN). That is what the Japanese Government has already said a number of times to the Iranian Government.
Q: I read some reactions from some Iranian Government officials. They said that they might go along with the so-called international community if this concern is applied to the whole Middle East, not only to selective countries.
Mr. Taniguchi: I am not sure what stories you are referring to.
Q: I think namely the Arab Republic of Egypt and Iran and almost all Arab countries express concern about the Israeli nuclear programs and even nuclear weapons, but there is no such international pressure or at least Japan has not made moves recently towards this concern.
Mr. Taniguchi: Well the issue in question is Iran, not the State of Israel at this moment. If Israeli issues are not discussed at the IAEA, we would not have a position so long as IAEA resolutions are concerned. I think those two issues should not be mixed together.
Q: But from a standpoint of the nuclear weapons or nuclear programs in at least the Middle East, do you not think that this is an important issue to be raised at any time?
Mr. Taniguchi: If you want me to tell you as a general remark, it is safe to say that the world community has invented many important institutions to safeguard peace and stability in the world, and those include such organizations as the IAEA. To bring about peace and stability in the world, so long as nuclear issues are concerned the IAEA is the institution that all of us, be it Japan, the United States of America (U.S.) or whatever, should rely upon. The IAEA is the place to discuss those issues.
Q: I mean also while we are talking now, there are at least seven countries developing arsenal nuclear weapons but there is no talk about this posing a threat to international peace and stability which you care about. So you give the impression that only Iran is a danger to the international community's peace and stability but you accept that these seven countries have nuclear weapons. Do you think that is a fair position?
Mr. Taniguchi: Well Japan has never said that the Iranian issue is the only issue that concerns the world community, and Japan has demonstrated that. Indeed regarding the North Korean nuclear aspirations, we are actually talking about them with the North Korean side. Also, if you remember Japan has long been a full fledged participant in other institutions, one of which is the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Japan has been taking part in that initiative as well. The aim is similar, which is for us, the world community, to prohibit any nation from calling for nuclear aspirations and intending to get nuclear weapons.
Q: On the statement about Islamic issues, I read that many steps are being taken by Japan towards dialogue. Do you have any update on this?
Mr. Taniguchi: On 13 February, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiyohiko Toyama is going to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and take part in a ministerial meeting to launch an investment advancement program, and the investment advancement program is related to the so-called MENA region or Middle East and North African region. So he is going to take part in that. As a nation that has been providing Middle East and African nations with a huge amount of official development assistance (ODA), Vice Foreign Minister Toyama is going to celebrate the launch of the program and give a speech there.
Also, the Japanese Government is inviting a lot of people from the region. For instance, from Iraq there was a group of judo athletes that came to Japan last month and they were joined by one of the judo Olympic gold medalists, Mr. Yasuhiro Yamashita. These sorts of exchanges of people are going to take place, and we are putting a lot of emphasis on inviting young people from the region.
As for second-track communications, there have been a number of delegations sent from Japan to the Middle East and Muslim nations. So there have been a lot of activities. This year, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi went to the Republic of Turkey, he also promised that he was going to send another delegation for cultural exchanges to the Middle East areas. So in terms of cultural exchanges I think the degree in which the Japanese Government is involved in enhancing cultural exchanges has grown very much substantially over the past several years.
No more questions? Well if you do not, as I said, I am going to be giving a press conference every Tuesday at 11:00 so please join me again.
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