Press Conference, 12 April 2007

Visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China
The Third Meeting of the Joint Committee of the Japan-United Mexican States Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Follow-up questions on the visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China

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

Assistant Press Secretary Noriyuki Shikata: Good morning. Let me start today's press conference.

I have two announcements. The first is on the visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China. I will explain to you the summit meeting that was held yesterday evening between Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The second topic is Japan-United Mexican States economic relations.

As for the first topic: Yesterday evening there was a summit meeting which lasted one hour and forty minutes at the Prime Minister's office. Since this summit meeting was the third between Prime Minister Abe and Premier Wen Jiabao, the atmosphere was frank and cordial. They spent a lot of time discussing concrete issues for cooperation in wide-ranging fields. The outcome of the summit meeting is included in the Japan-China joint press statement. This meeting was something that succeeded in demonstrating steady and concrete progress for cooperation between the two countries after Prime Minister Abe's visit to Beijing in October of last year.

As for the salient points: Prime Minister Abe, upon invitation from the Chinese Government, expressed his intention to visit China later this year. Also, the Chinese side, upon invitation from the Japanese Government, expressed their intention to possibly consider the visit of President Hu Jintao to Japan in the early part of next year. They also agreed to promote cooperation in various fields such as energy, environmental protection, and resumption of Japanese rice exports to China. These are some of the concrete examples of mutually beneficial relations based on strategic interests.

As for the cooperation in a regional or global perspective, both leaders agreed to closely cooperate on North Korean nuclear issues. On the issue of abduction, Premier Wen mentioned that he understands the sentiments of the Japanese people and sympathized. He expressed his readiness to extend the necessary cooperation or assistance in this regard. Also, on the issue of Japan's bid for joining the United Nations Security Council, Premier Wen mentioned that he expects Japan to play a further, larger, constructive role in the international society.

Lastly, on the issue of the East China Sea, they agreed that both countries will seek joint development in a relatively broad sea area that will be acceptable to both sides, and also will conduct higher-level consultations as necessary and accelerate the process of consultations. They will aim at reporting the concrete proposals or packages to be submitted to both leaders around autumn of this year. Prime Minister Abe emphasized the necessity to make extra efforts to resolve this issue. The leaders agreed to hold the next round of consultations in May.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. The Third Meeting of the Joint Committee of the Japan-United Mexican States Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Mr. Shikata: On the issue of Japan-Mexico relations, there was a third meeting of the Joint Committee, which was established based on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and Mexico. On 11 April, chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso on the Japanese side and Secretary for Economy Eduardo Sojo of Mexico, the third Joint Committee meeting was held. They confirmed that this agreement has contributed to deepening Japan-Mexico economic relations. For example, during the last two years the trade volume between the two countries, in comparison to prior to the EPA, has increased 70 percent. Also, investment has been growing. The first year demonstrated a 242 percent increase of Japanese investment in Mexico. We have seen remarkable progress in Japan-Mexico economic ties and they regard the effective implementation of this agreement as contributing to constructing a "win-win" situation. They will continue to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

Related Information (Japan-Mexico EPA)

III. Follow-up questions on the visit to Japan by Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China

Q: Yesterday night at the summit meeting Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to have the next round of East China Sea negotiations in May. Is this at the director-general level? Where will this be held?

Mr. Shikata: We have not decided where to hold that director-general-level meeting. As I explained to you, there could be higher level consultations held as necessary, which have also not been decided on in specific terms.

Q: Regarding today's Diet speech by Premier Wen Jiabao, he discussed at length about the history issue but he specifically did not mention anything about Yasukuni Shrine. Does the Japanese Government see this as China's way of being considerate or China's way of trying not to touch on sensitive topics.

Mr. Shikata: In yesterday's summit meeting there were some exchanges between the leaders on the issue of history. Premier Wen mentioned that history issues are important issues that relate to people's sentiments and Japan-China relations' political foundations. He also mentioned that this is a sensitive area and it is necessary to respond in an appropriate manner. Prime Minister Abe mentioned, as he has already stated, the intention to continue as a pacifist or as a peace-loving country is unchanged for those people who have lived during the last 60 years in this country. This is the sentiment shared by the Japanese people and he thinks that this will remain so in the future.

I would refrain from making any comment on Premier Wen's speech at the parliament, however I just wanted to introduce you to some of the exchanges that were made in relation to history issues yesterday evening.

Related Information (Press Release)

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