Press Conference, 12 February 2009

Report on the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Statement of condolence to victims of the wild fires in Victoria, Australia
Statement of gratitude to the Chinese Government for the safe return of the Japanese captain of a hijacked fishing vessel
Former Foreign Minister Yuriko Kawaguchi to co-chair the international commission on nuclear proliferation and disarmament
Questions concerning the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Japan
Questions concerning Foreign Minister Nakasone's visit to Seoul
Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's planned visit to Sakhalin
Further questions on Secretary of State Clinton's visit to Japan
Questions concerning the rescue of the Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Kenya
Questions concerning the planned Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatch off the coast of Somalia

I. Report on the Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. I have some announcements for you to begin with. I have four announcements.

First, Foreign Minister Nakasone returned from Seoul last night after meeting with his Korean counterpart Mr. Yu Myung-hwan and President Lee Myun-bak.

This visit was significant in the sense that the two ministers reaffirmed that the evolving bilateral relationship was now entering into a future oriented matured partnership. The two ministers confirmed that President Lee Myun-bak accepted the invitation to visit Japan at an appropriate time this year. This will be another Japan visit by the President in the "Shuttle Diplomacy."

The ministers agreed to make joint global efforts in resolving the issues the international community confronts. The two ministers agreed to help Afghanistan's efforts to solidify their peace and security. Japan and ROK will send specialists to a vocational training center in Kabul and begin their joint assistance in the agriculture project initiated by the NGO.

On North Korea, Foreign Minister Nakasone underlined the importance of the resolution of all North Korean issues including nuclear arms, missiles and the abduction of Japanese citizens. The two ministers reconfirmed Japan-ROK solidarity in the context of the Six-Party Talks and agreed to closely consult with the United States.

The ministers agreed on several things in the bilateral context. First, to continue to support the exchange programs, including program for college students, and two, to intensify the efforts towards the resumption of the negotiations on the Japan-ROK Economic Partnership Agreement or EPA.

II. Statement of condolence to victims of the wild fires in Victoria, Australia

Second, on the wild fires in Victoria, Australia, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and homes due to the devastating bush fires. For your information, Prime Minister Aso and Foreign Minister Nakasone sent their message of sympathy to Australia on Monday.

III. Statement of gratitude to the Chinese Government for the safe return of the Japanese captain of a hijacked fishing vessel

Third, on the hijacking of a Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Kenya, which occurred on the 8th of this month, the captain of the vessel was a Japanese national. We would like to express our gratitude for the efforts of the Chinese Government and other parties concerned for the safe release of the vessel and its crew members including the Japanese captain. But in the meantime, we reiterate our condemnation of any acts of piracy against vessels and armed attacks at sea.

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IV. Former Foreign Minister Yuriko Kawaguchi to co-chair the international commission on nuclear proliferation and disarmament

Fourth and last, Former Foreign Minister Yuriko Kawaguchi will co-chair the second meeting of the international commission on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament in Washington, D.C. over this coming weekend. Former Foreign Minister of Australia Gareth Evans will also co-chair the meeting.

Working with the Government of Australia, Japan will continue to extend its support so that the commission paves a way toward a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons as well as measures to maintain and strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime based on the NPT or the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

That's all from me. I would now like to take your questions, please.

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V. Questions concerning the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Japan

Q: Would you please tell us as much as you know about the visit of Mrs. Clinton?

Mr. Kawamura: OK. She will arrive on Monday the 16th, leave on Wednesday the 18th and have one full working day on the 17th.

As for the agenda, we basically expect three different issues to be discussed at the upcoming meeting: First, the Japan-US Alliance; second, global issues; and third, other issues. As for the Japan-US Alliance, we will confirm the importance of strengthening the bilateral alliance between Japan and the US. Secretary Clinton already mentioned that the Japan-US Alliance is the cornerstone of United States policy towards the Asia-Pacific. So, we will expect that the Minister and the Secretary will confirm this assessment and discuss how we will enhance the alliance and promote cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

On the global front, we spelled out the possible areas of global joint endeavors, for example, in the environment/energy, security issues, and North Korea or nuclear issues.

Q: And you said the third is others.

Mr. Kawamura: Others is kind of open possibilities. We are discussing the agenda and the format. So, we will specify them in more detail in the coming days.

Q: Are you going to have any kind of press briefing beforehand?

Mr. Kawamura: We will have a press occasion to explain to the media about the outcome of the meeting in one way or another. We will let you know the time and the venue later.

Q: It is the 12th already and the 16th is Monday, so within this week, you mean?

Mr. Kawamura: As soon as possible; of course, we are always on your side. So we are working very diligently with the parties concerned within this building. We will soon come up with a concrete plan.

Q: In connection with the Secretary of State's visit to Japan, other than Foreign Minister Nakasone and Prime Minister Aso, who else is she going to be meeting?

Mr. Kawamura: We are currently working on a detailed program. We will come out with a more concrete plan later.

Q: Is there anything planned the day she arrives, or do you have any idea what time of the day she is arriving, like evening, midday...?

Mr. Kawamura: We need to check it with the United States. We have not yet confirmed the exact time - evening, morning, or in the daytime ? of her arrival. We will let you know after we confirm the fixed plan.

Q: You do not know anything about the schedule of the 16th? Is anything planned?

Mr. Kawamura: It depends upon the arrival time. Suppose she should arrive late in the evening, for example, then it will be rushed. But we will wait for the final plan to be worked out. Having said that, we are expected to be effective in terms of time management so as to accommodate meetings.

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VI. Questions concerning Foreign Minister Nakasone's visit to Seoul

Q: In connection with Mr. Nakasone's visit to Korea, the Korean Foreign Minister said that Yahiko Taguchi, Japanese abductee's family, can meet with Kim Yong-hee. Is it going to take place in Korea?

Mr. Kawamura: What we have now is that the Korean Foreign Secretary, Mr. Yu Myung-hwan, replied to a request from the Japanese side to arrange the meeting. We expect that it will take place somewhere at a certain time in the near future.

VII. Questions concerning Prime Minister Aso's planned visit to Sakhalin

Q: Regarding Mr. Aso's planned visit to Sakhalin with the Russian President, what do you expect to accomplish? I understand that the Russian president invited Mr. Aso, and what is the background of this meeting? Especially, please, also give us very basic information what Japan's stance about Sakhalin is.

Mr. Kawamura: First, there was an invitation from President Medvedev to Prime Minister Aso to attend the ceremony to launch the Sakhalin Number 2 Project of the LNG. The project itself is a very future-promising and welcome one both for Japan and Russia because energy is the area where the two countries can endeavor closely for a mutually beneficial regime. So, it is a welcome event. Prime Minister Aso's visit to Sakhalin is now under serious consideration, and we will come up with the final, formal reply in the coming days.

My information tells me that the event will be held on the 18th of February in Sakhalin. The basic expectation for the accomplishment of the "possible" summit meeting in Sakhalin will be "the promotion of bilateral relations." President Medvedev said on the telephone to Mr. Aso that he would pick up any issues which relate to Japan and Russia. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura mentioned in his previous press conference that discussing the Northern Territory issues should be an idea as well. Japan thinks that the resolution of the territorial issues and conclusion of the peace treaty with Russia are two of the major priorities of Japan's diplomatic policy. If the two top leaders would discuss the issue of the Northern Territories, that would be very significant. On other fronts, we have plenty of collaboration items and so forth. As Mr. Medvedev said, they could touch on those various bilateral issues as well.

Q: What is the significance of the place, the location, Sakhalin? I understand that this is the first time for the Japanese Prime Minister to visit Sakhalin.

Mr. Kawamura: Let me share with you the fact that Japan, the Japanese government, has a consulate-general at Yuzhino-Sakhalinsk in Sakhalin. This tells how we (Japan) approach the status of Sakhalin Island. We are promoting relations in the areas of economy and business with the Sakhalin region.

Q: So, Japan basically acknowledges Russia's control over the island, did not discuss this, but just pursued business relations?

Mr. Kawamura: After signing the San Francisco Peace Treaty, Japan abandoned its territorial sovereignty over Sakhalin. Since then, for over 50 years, the Soviet Union, or now Russia, has administered the island without receiving international claims. Based upon this, as I put it, the Japanese government has a consulate-general there.

Q: But, it is true that this is the first time for the Japanese Prime Minister to visit Sakhalin, right? And, what do you think about that significance?

Mr. Kawamura: Well, the Prime Minister has not formally decided upon the visit yet. I will be able to comment on the issue after he officially announces the plan for the visit. From the substantive and practical standpoint of Japan-Russia relations, the significance was there. We are in a kind of commitment to promote further our economic and energy development in this part of the Asia-Pacific. The meeting there would be quite meaningful for us to take relations a step further.

Q: When did the invitation come?

Mr. Kawamura: On the 24th of January there was a telephone call from President Medvedev to Mr. Aso. It was Saturday evening.

Q: If, actually, the meeting takes place on the 18th, is it kind of diplomatically, an unusually quickly set up meeting?

Mr. Kawamura: The leaders' meeting can take place in any format and at any time, even with short notice. So, I cannot comment on the character of this proposal. What matters here is the meaning of the meeting itself between the two top leaders.

VIII. Further questions on Secretary of State Clinton's visit to Japan

Mr. Kawamura: Let me go back to your question about the press occasion about Mrs. Clinton's visit. Currently, we are not planning to hold a preliminary briefing, but after the meeting, we will have one. In response to the requests from the press, we will study the possibility of having a preliminary press briefing.

Q: But, is there going to be a joint press conference?

Mr. Kawamura: A joint press conference could be an idea, but we will let you know the final format.

Q: So this press occasion after the meeting, meaning, it is just a briefing? It could be just a briefing for the press, someone like yourself?

Mr. Kawamura: We are discussing every possibility for a press occasion. As you mentioned, it could be a joint press statement or a briefing by a senior official. We are discussing all the possibilities now.

Q: But, she is meeting with the Prime Minister also, right?

Mr. Kawamura: We are expecting to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Aso and Foreign Minister Nakasone.

Q: Mr. Aso is leaving for Sakhalin on the 17th, right?

Mr. Kawamura: First of all, he needs to get the approval of the National Diet, so he cannot officially announce it at this moment. So, we will let you know a more concrete plan of his visit after his visit is confirmed.

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IX. Questions concerning the rescue of the Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Kenya

Q: Regarding the hijacked fishing vessel, is mainly the Chinese government involved in the negotiation?

Mr. Kawamura: I do not have the detailed information on how the Chinese government or the Chinese naval forces achieved the release of the hostages, but my understanding is there was the involvement of the Chinese government and the Chinese navy.

Q: Not Japanese.

Mr. Kawamura: Yes, in the sense that we had asked the Chinese government to secure the safety of the hostages, including the captain as well and to do every possible thing to release them. To sum up, we were in close touch with the Chinese government from the beginning up till quite recently.

Q: But not directly involved in the negotiation?

Mr. Kawamura: I have no comments on how the Japanese government communicated with the group. But as far as China and Japan are concerned, we communicated well from the beginning. I am not so vocal because this case might imply how to secure life and safety in possible future hostage cases. But in the meantime, we have been acting correctly to deal with the situation off the coast of Somalia. The Self-Defense Forces will be ordered for maritime patrol acts before long. In parallel, we are doing our best to assist the coastal countries in the area in capacity building through training of the coast guard services and other officials concerned. This is rather indirect assistance, but it would be effective to improve the capability of the coastal countries and their level of preparedness to deal with the situations.

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X. Questions concerning the planned Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatch off the coast of Somalia

Q: I understand that this fishing boat was captured by pirates in November of last year. Our Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels are still on the way to the mission to combat pirates. From now on, in this case, would the Maritime Self-Defense Force be involved in negotiations or interventions?

Mr. Kawamura: Let me put it this way; as for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, it is now expecting the final order to dispatch.

Q: It has not been dispatched yet?

Mr. Kawamura: Not yet. We are expecting it. But the government already made an announcement that we are going to order the Maritime Self-Defense Force to go and engage in maritime patrol services.

For further details of the mission, the Self-Defense Forces will be discussed among the Project Team members.

Q: So, before they decided the mission, the contents of the mission, they announced that they were sending vessels?

Mr. Kawamura: We will wait for the finalization of the current study. After they reach the very final conclusion, then the points concerning what kind of services, what kind of missions, what they can do in such a mission will be cleared.

Q: Who made the announcement?

Mr. Kawamura: If my understanding is correct, the Defense Minister made a press announcement about the decision that he was going to order the Self-Defense Forces.

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