Press Conference, 27 November 2008

Statement on the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Republic of India
Emergency assistance for those affected by torrential rains in the Republic of Panama
Visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Nobuhide Minorikawa to the State of Qatar
Visit to Japan by President Lech Kaczynski of the Republic of Poland
Questions concerning the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Republic of India
Questions concerning the recent unrest in the Kingdom of Thailand and the possible ramifications for the upcoming ASEAN Summit
Questions concerning the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference
Question concerning the Six-Party Talks
Follow-up questions concerning the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Republic of India

I. Statement on the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Republic of India

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. First, I have a couple of announcements.

First, Japan strongly condemns a series of terror attacks that occurred yesterday, Wednesday, the 26th, local time, in Mumbai, India. This resulted in a large number of casualties, including the death of one Japanese national. We strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations and reiterate our stance that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We express our condolences to the families of the victims, and hope that the people of India will overcome this difficult situation soon. We are determined to continue our cooperation with the Government of India to fight against terrorism. We also hope that the hostages will be released soon.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Emergency assistance for those affected by torrential rains in the Republic of Panama

Mr. Kawamura: Next, today, Thursday, the 27th, Japan has decided to provide emergency relief in kind (blankets, sleeping pads, portable jerry cans, tents, and so forth) to the people of Panama affected by the torrential rains disaster. Torrential rains have been causing disastrous overflowing of rivers and landslides in Bocas del Toro Province, Ngobe-Bugle District, and Colon and Chriqui Provinces. According to the Government of Panama, as of November 25, local time, this resulted in seven dead, eight missing, 6,488 affected, and 1,152 houses destroyed.

Related Information (Press Release)

III. Visit by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Nobuhide Minorikawa to the State of Qatar

Mr. Kawamura: Next, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Nobuhide Minorikawa, will visit Qatar from tomorrow, Friday, the 28th, to Sunday, the 30th. He will attend the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation on the Monterrey Consensus and participate in discussion with other representatives.

IV. Visit to Japan by President Lech Kaczynski of the republic of Poland

Mr. Kawamura: Lastly, Japan will soon welcome Polish President Lech Kaczynski. The President is schedule to visit Japan from next Tuesday, the 2nd, to Friday, the 5th of December. This is his first visit to Japan.

Poland is a member nation of the so-called V4+1 dialogue. V4 stands for Visegrad 4 countries, namely Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The "Visegrad 4 and Japan" talks have been successful in strengthening relations as partners sharing common values such as democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and market economies. Poland has been assuming the role of V4 Chair since July, 2008, and next year 2009 marks the 90th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Related Information (Press Release)

V. Questions concerning the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Republic of India

Q: I would like to hear if you have any update on the situation in Mumbai, like if there are any casualties you have heard of, of Japanese residents, travelers, or the status of the Japanese in Mumbai?

Mr. Kawamura: Concerning casualty numbers, we have confirmed that one Japanese died, and another was injured. Now we are collecting information in Mumbai to update the situation. In Mumbai and Tokyo, the Foreign Ministry has established a taskforce team to monitor closely the situation and to maintain close communication with the families and relatives, and to provide the latest information on the city and the safety of foreign tourists and residents in Mumbai.

Q: We have been told there are about 300 Japanese residents and travelers in that area, and I think around, as of 13:30, the Foreign Ministry said that the safety of about 30 has not yet been confirmed. Are there any updates on that number?

Mr. Kawamura: Well, I have read the report about the number, but we are trying to confirm the updated number of Japanese residents and Japanese nationals in Mumbai. We will come up with the latest information soon. But at this moment we cannot confirm how many have not been identified.

Q: Do you have any idea how many Japanese companies are there?

Mr. Kawamura: We will check and get back to you.

Q: Okay, the number of Japanese companies and in which fields, whether they are manufacturers or what.

Mr. Kawamura: I will get back to you later on.

Q: Regarding such kinds of terrorist attacks or blasts, this time a Japanese was killed. But as far as you know, would the Bali blast be the last major kind of terrorism where a Japanese fell victim?

Mr. Kawamura: Sounds like so, but can I get back to you again?

Q: Yes.

Mr. Kawamura: Okay, because I was just reminded of the Afghan case this year. That seems to be the most recent case of Japanese involvement in the kind of terrorism.

Q: How are you supposed to handle the situation as the Foreign Ministry when somebody is killed or somebody is injured in such kind of terrorism? How do you deal with the situation?

Mr. Kawamura: First of all, we establish a taskforce team, as we have just created regarding the Mumbai case, within the Foreign Ministry, and another in the place where the terrorist attacks took place. The main tasks of those teams are to get the latest information and monitor the situation. We combine information together and decide what kind of advice should be given to future visitors, or visiting Japanese nationals, as well as resident Japanese nationals. That is the first step. The second step depends upon the situation: how serious or what the situation would be like in the coming days. According to the level of perceived dangers we consider the necessary measures to secure the safety of Japanese nationals and then provide them with necessary information and advice.

Q: Does the Foreign Ministry intend to raise the travel advisory warning for India or for Mumbai?

Mr. Kawamura: Are you asking about the timing of right now, or just before the incident happened?

Q: Right now. In the wake of the incident, is the Foreign Ministry going to raise the travel warning sometime soon?

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, I believe so, but let me double check with the most recent travel alert by the Foreign Ministry.

VI. Questions concerning the recent unrest in the Kingdom of Thailand and the possible ramifications for the upcoming ASEAN Summit

Q: In Thailand, there are many people stranded at airports, and I was wondering to what degree Japanese are actually stranded or not able to depart Thailand.

Mr. Kawamura: Our understanding is that the flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok are not able to depart because of the situation. Therefore, Japanese visitors and tourists are not able to leave the city on their reserved flights. The Japanese Embassy in Thailand sent officials to the airport to collect information and provide necessary assistance to the Japanese passengers. If necessary, they also escort those Japanese passengers towards hotels nearby.

We have issued a new travel alert to Japanese nationals on the homepage. In the travel alert, we advised Japanese people not to get closer to the airport and to keep alert of the situation by keeping in close touch with the Japanese Embassy.

We don't know when Suvarnabhumi Airport will be reopened. We understand that the airport is going to be closed up at least until 18:00 today. But we are not quite certain whether this situation will continue or not. So we will keep on alert.

Q: Also on the unrest in Thailand, earlier this week the foreign ministers of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam wrote to the ASEAN Secretary-General suggesting that the upcoming ASEAN Summit, in another two or three weeks, be postponed. Since Japan is also a member of the expanded meetings, the ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit, does Japan agree on the idea that it should be postponed?

Mr. Kawamura: I have read the press reports about the letter and communication between the ministers and the ASEAN Secretariat. But we are in a situation where we collect information regarding the possibility of holding the plan for the ASEAN meetings as scheduled. We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully. As you may know about the ASEAN Summit meetings - they are quite important annual gatherings for the summit leaders, including Japanese. We hope that we will see the situation more clearly as soon as possible.

Q: So at this point in time, Japan has not received any notification from Thailand suggesting the possibility of postponing?

Mr. Kawamura: As far as I know, I have not got evidence or information to support the argument. The bureaus in charge may have now, but we will see.

Q: Back to Mumbai, how serious do you think the situation is in Mumbai?

Mr. Kawamura: Well, in terms of the number of casualties and the magnitude of the attack, and as I watch from the news reports and coverage from Mumbai, it is one of the serious cases. Foreign Minister Nakasone today issued a statement of indignation against this terrorist attack. We again strong condemn terrorism in this kind, irrespective of the magnitude or level of casualties. We are determined to join in the fight against terrorism with the friends of India, the United States and other countries.

VII. Questions concerning the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference

Q: On next week's Oslo Process meeting on cluster bombs - is Foreign Minister Nakasone planning to attend the signing of the protocol?

Mr. Kawamura: The Oslo Conference is quite an important occasion for Japan to attend, but at this particular moment we cannot confirm the attendance of Foreign Minister Nakasone, but if the situation allows, we do hope that he could attend and make clear the Japanese Government's stance on this subject.

Q: Regarding that, it seems like the Japanese Government's stance has kind of changed over the past half a year or so. Earlier this year, the explanation we got was that Japan agrees that we have to take into consideration the humanitarian view of the threat to civilians of the bombs, but also you have to have a balance - it is military and strategic capabilities. But then in May, Japan decided to agree with this international accord. Can you explain, once again, what is Japan's official stance right now on cluster bombs?

Mr. Kawamura: We may come back on this point: how Japan has approached the issue of cluster bombs in the context of the Oslo Conference. In a very short time I hope that we can come back and explain more in detail about it. The bottom line for this is the balance of perspectives or interests regarding the issue. We have cumulated views and expertise from various sources over the past several months and have reached a conclusion. But if you allow me, I will come back shortly more detail about the Japanese stance on this issue.

Q: I think that once Japan signs this Oslo Process Accord, then sooner or later the Self-Defense Forces will have to dispose of all the cluster bombs that they are in possession of right now. Firstly, how much is that going to cost? Then, also, have there been arrangements between Japan and the United States, since you are in a security alliance, on this matter?

Mr. Kawamura: Well, I need to study it. This is going to be good homework for me. I will come back to you.

VIII. Question concerning the Six-Party Talks

Q: There have been reports that the next round of Six-Party Talks will be held on the 8th of December. What kind of results or achievements is Japan looking forward to at the next round?

Mr. Kawamura: First, the timing of the date, the 8th of December - my understanding is that the date is not officially confirmed, although there are various press reports that the meeting will take place on the 8th of December. Second, about the content. As our representative discussed with the United States and Korea in the context of APEC Peru bilaterals, and also on other occasions, we continue to see -the Six-Party process should function normally. The nuclear issues should be addressed correctly, too, so that the verification process be confirmed as the United States and North Korea agreed previously. Also, on the part of Japan, Japan-North Korea relations including the issue of abductions should see progress, too. Those are the expectations we have for the upcoming Six-Party Talks, if they are scheduled to take place as the press report predicts.

IX. Follow-up questions concerning the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India

Mr. Kawamura: For the questions on the travel alerts on the situation in Mumbai, the Foreign Ministry has issued a travel alert for Japanese nationals who plan to visit India and also for the people who reside in India. The alert tells the latest information about the casualties and injuries, but at the same time they call for access to the latest information provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in India, advise not to get close to places where incidents can be expected.

About the Japanese companies, offices or factories in Mumbai region, according to the officially available statistics we have, about 112 Japanese companies have some representation in the Mumbai region, but the majority of the industries are financial-service-related companies and some infrastructure-related companies. Half of them are 100 percent Japanese companies. Around 35 companies are joint ventures between Japan and India. There are some 25 Japanese companies' branches.

Q: So at this point in time, no plans for calling an evacuation?

Mr. Kawamura: At this moment we may not issue a recommendation to leave the country, but we will closely monitor the situation, as other major countries will do.

Just for your information, our taskforce team usually has 24-hour responsibility. We will check the information all the time, day and night, and issue necessary advice to Japanese nationals.

Q: In this kind of situation, do you usually have to send any senior officials or anybody from Tokyo?

Mr. Kawamura: It depends. In abduction cases in the past, we sent one or two senior officials from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. It depends on the situation.

Back to Index