Press Conference, 27 March 2007

Dispatch by Japan of arms monitors to the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)
Dispatch by Japan of an election observer mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste
Japan-Republic of Chile Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China
Questions concerning the issue of gas fields in the East China Sea
Questions concerning Japan-Republic of Korea relations

I. Dispatch by Japan of arms monitors to the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)

Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Thanks for coming. For my opening statement let me make a couple of points.

You may have already known but, nonetheless, the first item is about the dispatch of arms monitors to the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

Today, on 27 March, following a request from the United Nations (UN) the Government of Japan decided at a cabinet meeting to dispatch six arms monitors to the UNMIN on the basis of the International Peace Cooperation Law.

The number of people from the Self Defense Forces (SDF) dispatched to Nepal is going to be six.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Dispatch by Japan of an election observer mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste

Mr. Taniguchi: As a related matter--this is the second item--also today, 27 March, the Japanese Government decided to dispatch an election observer mission comprising 14 members for about 10 days, from early to mid-April to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste on the basis of the International Peace Cooperation Law.

The 14-member mission is going to be headed by Mr. Hideaki Asahi, professor at the graduate school of the University of Tokyo. The other 13 members comprise some officials from the Government and some representatives from non-profit organizations like the Japan Platform, and some academics. So that is item number two.

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III. Japan-Republic of Chile Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Mr. Taniguchi: Item number three is about the Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). That is going to be signed by the two governments, Japan and the Republic of Chile, later today. For that purpose, Minister for Foreign Relations Dr. Alejandro Foxley of the Republic of Chile is now in Japan.

Related Information (Joint Statement)

IV. Visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China

Mr. Taniguchi: The last item is about the announcement of the visit to Japan of the Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China. He is going to come to Japan on Wednesday, 11 April, and leaving on Friday, 13 April. He is going to come as an official guest and he will be received in audience by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and is definitely going to see leaders such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe among others.

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V. Questions concerning the issue of gas fields in the East China Sea

Q: Ahead of Premier Wen Jiabao's visit I believe there are going to be gas-dispute talks this Thursday between Japan and China. How does Japan want to resolve this? Are they going to discuss about the joint development or are they going to discuss some other new proposal?

Mr. Taniguchi: There still exists a degree of difference between the two sides about how to define the area for the possible joint development. We are saying, from the Japanese side, that this attempt has to be made a hallmark, trophy event that symbolizes the win-win relationship that the Chinese Government and the Japanese Government have agreed upon and have come to cherish. Beyond that I do not think it is appropriate now to dig deeper into the definition sort of thing.

Q: I just want to clarify; basically Japan and China agreed to jointly develop the area, but they just disagree on where?

Mr. Taniguchi: The idea about joint development has been cited for some time by both parties, from Japan and from China as well, but the difference is not a small one: how to define the area. That issue is still pending and there is a lot more to be done by both parties.

VI. Questions concerning Japan-Republic of Korea relations

Q: While Japan's Sino-Japan ties are improving, I just want to look at Japan-South Korea relations right now. Are there any plans for senior officials between Japan and the Republic of Korea to meet anytime soon or in the coming days? What kind of discussions could possibly take place?

Mr. Taniguchi: There is a plan for Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso to make a visit to the Republic of Korea. If you talk about the high-level exchange between the two nations, that is the highest level. Beyond that I do not think there is anything that I can make an announcement of at the moment. You may recall that the three nations--Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China--last week made a great advancement in terms of forging the tripartite investment agreement that will promise to combine the three economies even closer together. This sort of development is very much a welcome sign for Japan and for the Republic of Korea.

Q: Is the Japanese Government concerned that during the planned foreign ministerial meeting between Japan and the Republic of South Korea that the comfort women might become an issue?

Mr. Taniguchi: I have no idea.

Q: In a nutshell how would you characterize the current status of Japan-Republic of Korea relations?

Mr. Taniguchi: Not bad, to put it simply. We have been maintaining that if you look at the economic relationship between the two nations, that is among the most viable that Japan has ever had. In the Six-Party Talks framework, the Republic of Korea's Government has made a great effort to bring North Korea once again in, and with this development that North Korea left the framework, thereby putting the framework into a degree of difficulties, there is even greater room for the Republic of Korea and Japan to cooperate seamlessly together to once again give steam to the dialogue framework.

Q: Presumably the foreign ministerial meeting between the two countries could lay the groundwork for future visits by President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea?

Mr. Taniguchi: They might discuss that but I do not think I should make a prediction of any sort about that.

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