Press Conference, 23 July 2009

Foreign Minister Nakasone visits Thailand for ASEAN meetings
Japan implements measures against individuals and entities engaged with North Korea's illicit missile and weapons programs
Ms. Yuko Maeda appointed as Public Affairs Officer to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
Release of APEC 2010 meetings schedule

I. Foreign Minister Nakasone visits Thailand for ASEAN meetings

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. Let me start with the brief announcements.

First, Foreign Minister Nakasone is currently in Phuket, Thailand, attending the ASEAN-related ministerial meetings.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the 22nd, the minister participated in the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting, East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers Informal Consultations, and Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

Also, on bilateral fronts, Foreign Minister Nakasone separately met with his counterparts from Thailand, Myanmar, China, the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Today, Foreign Minister Nakasone is now attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). After the Forum, he is scheduled to leave Phuket and return to Japan, arriving early tomorrow morning.

II. Japan implements measures against individuals and entities engaged with North Korea's illicit missile and weapons programs

Second, the Government of Japan today has announced that it will implement new measures against the designated five entities and five individuals who have been engaged with North Korea's program related to massive destructive weapons and ballistic missiles.

The measures include: 1) restrictions on payments to those listed individuals and companies; and 2) restrictions on capital transactions.

Those measures are based upon on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1874 and 1718. They will be implemented from tomorrow, the 24th.

That's all from me, now I will invite your questions.

III. Ms. Yuko Maeda appointed as Public Affairs Officer to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)

Third, Japan welcomes the United Nations' appointment of Ms. Yuko Maeda, former Public Information Officer in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), as Public Affairs Officer to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

Ms. Maeda's profile is included in the handout. Japan hopes that Ms. Maeda will fulfill her duties with success, and that the Khmer Rouge trials would be an important step towards the conclusion of the entire peace process in Cambodia.

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Release of APEC Japan 2010 Meeting schedule

Fourth and last, next year, 2010, Japan will chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and will host various APEC meetings including the Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Last Tuesday, the 21st, in Singapore, while attending the Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade or MRT, Ms. Seiko Hashimoto, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced the schedule of "APEC Japan 2010 Meeting," including the locations and dates of these meetings. I have also distributed the paper of the schedule of those meetings for your reference.

That's all from me.

Related Information (Press Release)

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