Press Conference, 10 July 2007
- Foreign Minister's Commendations for FY 2007
- Visit to Japan by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank
- Visit to Japan by Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs Pascal Couchepin of the Swiss Federation
- Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues
- Industry Workshop in Manila on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
- Question concerning the Six-Party Talks
- Follow-up questions concerning the Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues
I. Foreign Minister's Commendations for FY 2007
Deputy Press Secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi: Good afternoon, thanks very much for coming.
I have five points to introduce for my opening statement. They are about the Foreign Minister's Commendations for fiscal year 2007; the visit to Japan by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank; the visit to Japan by Mr. Pascal Couchepin, Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs of Switzerland; the Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues; and the Industry Workshop in Manila on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Firstly, each and every year, come 9 July--the day Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs came into being in the year 1869--the Minister for Foreign Affairs gives awards to individuals and groups of people whose contributions deserve the highest praise. Therefore, yesterday, 9 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso awarded the 2007 Foreign Minister's Commendations to 39 individuals and 15 groups both from inside and outside of Japan for their outstanding achievements in promoting peace, human security, and friendly relations between Japan and other countries.
This year ten individuals and three groups from Japan attended the award ceremony and the subsequent reception. Foreign Minister Aso had conversations with each of the award recipients about their achievements. Among the winners, I would like to introduce two individuals, Mr. Akira Nakagome and Mr. Yuichi Tomiyasu.
Mr. Akira Nakagome was awarded for his contribution in eliminating land mines. He is a special advisor to Yamanashi Hitachi Construction Machinery, which is known to have developed de-mining machines as part of its CSR, or Corporate-Social Responsibility activities. Mr. Nakagome, over the years, has brought the machines over to such mine-affected areas as Cambodia and Afghanistan and not only used them to de-mine the areas, but also taught the local youth how to operate the machines. Since the machinery looks very much like a power shovel, the skills they have acquired could be applied to operating other earth movers. Therefore, even after the elimination of land mines, there will remain a skill set with which they can seek other job opportunities.
Another recipient, Mr. Yuichi Tomiyasu, was recognized for his efforts in introducing agricultural technologies in Nepal. Mr. Tomiyasu taught agricultural technologies for more than 18 years in Nepal and introduced highly value-added agricultural commodities such as watermelons and radish. Now, the radish he introduced to Nepal is well known as "Tomiyasu Daikon (Radish)."
It just occurred to me that the initiative of creating the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" has actually long been supported by these outstanding individuals.
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II. Visit to Japan by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank
Mr. Taniguchi: Secondly, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank, also the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, is now visiting Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Yunus arrived in Japan on Friday, 6 July and will stay until Thursday, 12 July.
On Sunday, 8 July, Dr. Yunus spoke at Hiroshima University.
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III. Visit to Japan by Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs Pascal Couchepin of the Swiss Federation
Mr. Taniguchi: Thirdly, another important visitor to Japan is Mr. Pascal Couchepin, Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs of the Swiss Federation. He is visiting Japan from Sunday, 8 July to next Sunday, 15 July.
During his visit, Mr. Couchepin will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who will sign, together with Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Swiss Federal Council on Cooperation in Science and Technology.
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IV. Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues
Mr. Taniguchi: Fourth, currently, Japan and Iran are holding the Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From Japan, Mr. Takeshi Nakane, Director-General of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from Iran, Mr. Hamid Baeidinejad, Director-General of Political and International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, are attending the Consultation, amongst other officials.
They will be discussing such subjects as the nuclear and missile issues of Iran, the Review Process of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions.
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V. Industry Workshop in Manila on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
Mr. Taniguchi: Lastly, tomorrow, Wednesday, 11 July, Japan, the Republic of the Philippines, and the Commonwealth of Australia, as well as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) jointly host the Industry Workshop in Manila on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Japan, the Philippines, Australia and the OPCW are working together to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention by focusing on the industry verification mechanism in order to enhance global and regional security and to deliver significant counter-terrorism benefits.
Representatives from the chemical industry in Japan and Australia will also participate in the workshop.
VI. Question concerning the Six-Party Talks
Q: The Yonhap News Agency (of the Republic of Korea) reported that Beijing has sounded out--for the Six-Party Talks--that the next round is going to resume around 18 July. Has there been any sounding out from the People's Republic of China to Japan?
Mr. Taniguchi: It is yet to be confirmed.
VII. Follow-up questions concerning the Seventh Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues
Q: Regarding the Japan-Iran dialogue, what specific calls or demands is Japan making to Iran with regard to Iran's nuclear issue?
Mr. Taniguchi: The Japanese Government has repeatedly conveyed its concerns about Iranian nuclear development to the Iranian side. What is important for Japan is to maintain this channel through which Japan can send powerful signals again and again over to the Iranian side.
This occasion, the seventh meeting between the two nations, is part of the ongoing regular conversation between the two governments. What the Japanese Government has done, and is currently doing, is to take advantage of the opportunity so that Japan can repeat what it has been saying to the Iranian side: that Iran has to comply with the United Nations Resolutions.
Q: Is this kind of dialogue done every year?
Mr. Taniguchi: I think it is an annual event, but if I am wrong I will come back to you. (The dialogue took place recently in July 2003, January 2004, and in November 2005.)
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