Press Conference, 28 July 2009

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono re-elected as president of Indonesia
Summer recess announcement
Questions concerning meeting of Foreign Minister Nakasone and his Indonesian counterpart
Questions concerning US President Obama's visit to Japan
Questions concerning Pakistan-related issues
Questions concerning possible post-election policies

I. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono re-elected as president of Indonesia

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. Welcome. Let me start with a short announcement. It is about Indonesia.

Japan extends congratulations to re-elected President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Republic of Indonesia. President Yudhoyono has been confirmed to be re-elected in the presidential election which was held on July 8th.

Japan hopes to continue to cooperate with Indonesia on a number of global issues as a strategic partner.

In light of the bomb attacks on July 17th, in particular, Japan will continue its utmost efforts for the eradication of terrorism in cooperation with Indonesia.

Related Information (Press Release)

II. Summer recess announcement

Before taking your questions I have one house-keeping announcement.

In August, we will not hold a weekly press conference. Unless otherwise announced, the next press conference will be scheduled on Thursday, September 3rd. But please be reminded that we will be always available, for 24 hours, for your inquiries via telephone, e-mail or other means during the recess period.

Thank you. Now I would like to invite your questions.

III. Questions concerning meeting of Foreign Minister Nakasone and his Indonesian counterpart

Q: About Indonesia, Mr. Nakasone and his Indonesian counterpart were planning to meet on the sidelines of the ARF meeting and it was postponed, but are there any plans that the Indonesian Foreign Minister will visit Japan or for them to have meetings?

Mr. Kawamura: I think at this very moment we have not scheduled the next possible occasion for the bilateral foreign ministers' meeting between Japan and Indonesia. We will seek the next possible opportunities to meet with and exchange views on things of mutual interest.

IV. Questions concerning US President Obama's visit to Japan

Q: There is a report that US President Obama will visit Japan in November. Have you heard of any plans that he will visit Hiroshima?

Mr. Kawamura: Before commenting on the Hiroshima plan, first of all, the timing of his visit to Japan has not been confirmed yet. Both sides, Japan and the US, will continue to work on the visit of President Obama to Japan at an early possible period by the end of this year.

I have nothing to comment on regarding the "idea of the visit to Hiroshima by President Obama" because, first of all, we have yet to schedule the timing of his visit.

V. Questions concerning Pakistan-related issues

Q: I had a question at one of the last press briefings about the operations of eradication of terrorism in the Swat and Malakand areas bordering Afghanistan. It was about infrastructure which were damaged and destroyed during operations.

People have started going back to their homes. Not all, but the government has started it. According to our media, there is a lack of water, electricity and other basic facilities. Are the Japanese or other governments going to help in the projects rebuilding basic infrastructure or something?

Mr. Kawamura: Japan will pay the keenest attention on the developing situations in the area you mentioned in Pakistan. But in the context of the Japan-hosted Pakistan Donors Conference, and the other international gatherings such as the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Meeting, we will continue to work on with the rest of the like-minded countries to find out the best possible remedies and means to eradicate the problems which exist in that area.

We have issued a series of assistance to alleviate the problems already and for further actions for Japan to take, we will continue to consider in cooperation with other international organizations and of course with the Pakistani government.

Q: It was yesterday that there was a statement by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. They are seeking the technology while operations in Pakistan. He mentioned that have in a position to gain some help in the latest technology from France. They are going to do that on the same lines as the Japanese government also. They do not have the equipment to fight that are enough and sufficient according to the latest like looking glasses in the dark or something like this was mentioned. They have asked for them from the US, and he mentioned, the Prime Minister, help from the government of France. They are trying to help Pakistani military fighting terrorists.

Mr. Kawamura: I just remember that you gave me this same question a couple of times ago.

Q: That is right, and you promised that you would take my concern...

Mr. Kawamura: I think I had promised to convey your views and interests to the officials in charge, and I did. I appreciate that you gave me the latest information especially in the context of France-Pakistan joint endeavors. Let me double check your prime minister's statement.

Q: It was yesterday.

Mr. Kawamura: Yesterday? I have not had a chance to see the comments, but I will find it and we will continue to consult with the parties in charge on what Japan should and could do for the situation Pakistan faces.

Any other questions?

VI. Questions concerning possible post-election policies

Q: About the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan's election manifesto, it seems that the DPJ is more shifting to a kind of realistic foreign policy compared to that when they were opposed to the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean or the assistance in Iraq. The Foreign Minister has been stressing the importance of placing importance on the Japan-US Alliance and the manifesto released yesterday, the DPJ has said that it will try to build a close and equal US-Japan Alliance.

How do you accept this bit of shift of the stance of the DPJ? Is it kind of relieving to the ministry that there seems to be a sort of consistency even after the new administration led by the DPJ could possibly be launched?

Mr. Kawamura: First of all, unfortunately I cannot make any comment on the manifesto or policy statement of the political parties. Having said that, when coming down to foreign policy making, as our Vice Minister Yabunaka said in the press conference yesterday, there should be some continuous national interests such as national security and so on. So, I think that diplomacy is expected to be conducted in taking the public opinion, public support in a pragmatic way. That is where we stand. That is not directly related to the preference of a policy guidelines or policy stance of one or two other specific political parties. Officials are engaged with their duty to serve the representatives of the government supported and chosen by the voters.

Q: Have you heard any concerns from US officials about the possible change in government and the DPJ's policies?

Mr. Kawamura: Could I possibly recommend that you ask the question to the US side? I may not be the right person to comment on the US government's views.

But a sheer fact is the importance of the Japan-US relations and it is well-recognized by the Japanese general public judging from various public opinion polls conducted by the government and private sources.

Q: There will be no big change if the Democratic Party wins the elections in Japan-US relations.

Mr. Kawamura: Again, I should refrain from making a comment on the prospect of Japan's policies after the election.

All right? Thank you very much for your kind cooperation and we will enter into a recess, but please feel free to call me anytime.

Thank you and have a good break.

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