Internet Press Chat Conference, 11 May 2006

Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the United Nations Human Rights Council Election
Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi to visit Europe
Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Besnik Mustafaj of the Republic of Albania
Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit of Egypt
The United Nations Workshop on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bangkok
The African Festa 2006
Assistance for "Strengthening Human Security for Women in Mobile Populations through Health Education and HIV/AIDS Care in Papua New Guinea" Project
Grant Aid to the Republic of Ecuador
Question concerning World Food Programme's assistance operations to North Korea
Question concerning police investigations into the abduction issue of the Japanese nationals
Question concerning Japan-China gas talks

I. Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the United Nations Human Rights Council Election

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Let me start today's Regular Internet Chat Press Conference.

Today, I would like to make several announcements before I take questions.

The first is about a Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the United Nations Human Rights Council Election. On 10 May (Wed) (local time: 9 (Tue)) in New York, the United Nations General Assembly conducted the first election of the members of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), which was established to replace the Commission on Human Rights. Japan won a seat on the first ballot and welcomes it as it reflects this country's efforts for human rights issues that have been highly appreciated at home and abroad.

Toward the protection and promotion of human rights, Japan has contributed to improving the global human rights situation including the development and promotion of international human rights norms through international forums such as the UN Commission on Human Rights, bilateral dialogues, economic cooperation and other means. Japan intends to continue playing a constructive role in the HRC.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi to visit Europe

Mr. Taniguchi: Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi will visit the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the Republic of Poland from 14 to 20 May (Sun to Sat).

In Poland, Mr. Yachi will hold Japan-Poland political consultations with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski of Poland.

In the Czech Republic, Mr. Yachi will exchange opinions on bilateral relations and major international issues with foreign ministry officials including First Deputy Minister Jaroslav Basta and likewise with foreign ministry officials of Ukraine. In the Czech Republic, Mr. Yachi will attend "Japan-Czech Science and Technology Days".

Related Information (Press Release)

III. Visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Besnik Mustafaj of the Republic of Albania

Mr. Taniguchi: The next is about the visit to Japan by Minister of Foreign Affairs Besnik Mustafaj of the Republic of Albania.

From 14 May (Sun) to 17 (Wed), Mr. Mustafaj will visit Japan as a Guest of the Foreign Minister of Japan.

During his stay in Japan, Mr. Mustafaj will have meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and other senior officials concerned to exchange views on such matters as bilateral relations and the international situation.

Mr. Mustafaj's visit is expected to further develop Japan-Albania diplomatic relations.

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit of Egypt

Mr. Taniguchi: The next one is about the visit to Japan of Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit of Egypt from 15 to 16 May (Mon to Tue) as a Guest of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The visit of Mr. Abul-Gheit is a follow-up to the "Japan-Egypt Partnership Program," which was agreed between the two countries when President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt visited Japan in 1999. Mr. Abul-Gheit expects to further advance cooperative relations between Japan and Egypt at a ministerial level through wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues in his talks with Foreign Minister Taro Aso and others.

V. The United Nations Workshop on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bangkok

Mr. Taniguchi: The next is about the United Nations Workshop on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bangkok, co-sponsored by Japan, Thailand, Canada, the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs (UNDDA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which will be held from 17 to 19 May(Wed to Fri) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The list of participants that are scheduled to attend this workshop include the aforementioned co-sponsoring countries and organizations as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Asian countries, international organizations concerned, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

At the workshop, it is expected that discussions will be held on the implementation of the "Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects" (Small Arms Review Conference 2006) as well as regional efforts to address small arms and light weapons issues focusing on ASEAN and South Asian countries.

Japan will extend aid (approximately US$50,000) to the workshop through the United Nations Trust Fund on Small Arms and Light Weapons, to which Japan is a contributor, as part of the initiatives for the Small Arms Review Conference 2006 scheduled to be held in June this year.

VI. The African Festa 2006

Mr. Taniguchi: The "African Festa 2006" will be held on 20 May (Sat) and 21 (Sun) in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and under the auspices of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Chiyoda Ward Office, and embassies of African nations in Tokyo.

Amidst rising international interest toward African issues, the Government of Japan is taking a more active approach to address the issue of African development through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process. The African Festa is held with the objective of increasing broad-ranging understanding and support for Africa.

During the event, there will be a concert by Mr. D'Gary, a guitarist from the Republic of Madagascar and many others.

VII. Assistance for "Strengthening Human Security for Women in Mobile Populations through Health Education and HIV/AIDS Care in Papua New Guinea" Project

Mr. Taniguchi: On the 10 May (Wed), the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend assistance totaling about 302 million yen (approximately US$2.7 million), through the Trust Fund for Human Security to a project entitled "Strengthening Human Security for Women in Mobile Populations through Health Education and HIV/AIDS Care in Papua New Guinea" that will be implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

This project is expected to improve health conditions and the quality of living of women in mobile communities in Papua New Guinea.

Related Information (Press Release)

VIII. Grant Aid to the Republic of Ecuador

Mr. Taniguchi: The last item is about Japan's decision to extend grant aid amounting up to about 2 billion yen (approximately US$18 million) for the Project for Improvement of the Water Supply System in the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas, the Republic of Ecuador.

The exchange of notes was done today on 11 May (Thu) (Local time 10 (Wed)), in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, between Ambassador Hiroyuki Hiramatsu of Japan to Ecuador, and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Diego Rivadeneira of Ecuador.

It is expected that the program will improve the quality of water and stabilize the water supply in those two cities.

IX. Question concerning World Food Programme's assistance operations to North Korea

Q: I read a report that World Food Programme (WFP) will resume its assistance operation in North Korea. What is your reaction to this?

Mr. Taniguchi: I know that Mr. Tony Banbury, WFP's Regional Director gave a conference yesterday in Beijing and is reported to have said that the WFP would start sending food to North Korea.

We have to examine a little bit further what sort of program that would be, and how the food will be delivered and to whom, especially given that North Korea once urged the international organization to stop the food aid.

X. Question concerning police investigations into the abduction issue of the Japanese nationals

Q: I have another question related to North Korea.

I believe the Japanese police are in the Republic of Korea to question former North Korean agents who were involved in the kidnapping of Japanese nationals. Is this being conducted together with the help of the South Korean authorities?

If so, what steps are being taken?

Mr. Taniguchi: On this question, may I say that in general for these sorts of activities to happen there must be in close consultations between the police organizations involved.

I do not know further details as to what sort of cooperation there is between the two sides.

XI. Question concerning Japan-China gas talks

Q: I believe you are aiming to hold Japan-China gas talks next week. Have you been able to set the date? Do you intend to be flexible to China's proposal of a joint development?

Mr. Taniguchi: It looks like it will take a little bit more time for us to announce the date and place for the talk.

Whether we can be flexible on the proposal of any sort would be dependent upon the very proposal the Chinese side will bring in, as is always the case with negotiations of this nature.

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