Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 15 July 2010

1. Statement by Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Issuance of the Statement of the President of the United Nations Security Council concerning the sinking of a military patrol vessel
2. The Symposium on Human Security
3. Visit to Japan by Mr. Francois Fillon, Prime Minister of the French Republic
4. Visit to Japan by Mr. William Hague, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom
5. Visit to the United States by Mr. Koichi Takemasa, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan
6. Visit to Sudan and Uganda by Ms. Chinami Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
7. Questions concerning the sinking of an ROK military patrol vessel
8. Questions concerning Japan’s support to Sudan

Statement by Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Issuance of the Statement of the President of the United Nations Security Council concerning the sinking of a military patrol vessel

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I have two topics, and information on visits to share with you before inviting your questions.

We have distributed papers. The first is the Foreign Minister’s statement on the statement of the President of the United Nations Security Council concerning the sinking of a military patrol vessel. It was already last weekend that this statement was issued, but because this is very important I would like to explain it here.

The Foreign Minister welcomes the statement of the President of the United Nations Security Council concerning the sinking of a military patrol vessel.

In the statement of the Security Council President, the Security Council expresses its deep concern in view of the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group which concluded that North Korea was responsible for sinking the Cheonan, condemns the attack which led to the sinking, and underscores the importance of preventing further such attacks or hostilities. Thus, this statement is a clear message of the international community against the attack by North Korea. 

Japan strongly urges North Korea to listen seriously to this concerted message of the international community and to refrain from taking action that would negatively affect the situation. Japan will continue its close coordination and cooperation with the countries concerned, including the Republic of Korea and the United States. As this statement is very important, I explained it to you today.

Related Information (Press Release)


The Symposium on Human Security

Mr. Sobashima: The second topic is the Symposium on Human Security which is taking place now, from 1:30 this afternoon.

Human security is one of the major pillars of Japanese foreign policy and the Government of Japan plays a leading role in promoting human security worldwide. The concept of human security is getting to be widely recognized and discussed in international society. It was about 10 years ago that Japan first promoted this concept of human security, so this time we would like to review the progress and look to the future of this concept of human security. Human security basically is the concept of the protection and empowerment of individuals.

As you notice in this program, the speakers and panelists include Mm. Sadako Ogata, President of JICA, and the Rt. Hon. Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, former UNDP Secretary-General, and other prominent people from the UN, UNICEF, and other groups. I hope that there will be good discussions in this symposium.

Related Information (Human Security)


Visit to Japan by Mr. Francois Fillon, Prime Minister of the French Republic

Mr. Sobashima: Turning to information on visits – we have a French Prime Minister and a British Secretary of State in town, today and tomorrow.

His Excellency Mr. Francois Fillon, Prime Minister of the French Republic, will visit Japan from July 15 (Thu), that is today, until tomorrow, July 16 (Fri). During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Fillon will meet Prime Minister Kan. Prime Minister Fillon also plans to address members of the Japanese business community. That is tomorrow morning.

Related Information (Press Release)


Visit to Japan by Mr. William Hague, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom

Mr. Sobashima: As for the Secretary of State from the United Kingdom, the Rt. Hon. Mr. William Hague, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom will visit Japan from July 15 (Thu), that is today, until tomorrow, July 16 (Fri). During his stay, Mr. Hague is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Okada. The two ministers are expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional and global challenges.

Related Information (Press Release)


Visit to the United States by Mr. Koichi Takemasa, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan

Mr. Sobashima: From our ministry, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Takemasa is visiting the United States from July 13 until July 18. He will visit Washington DC and New York. During his visit, he plans to meet officials of the United States Government, and he is expected to meet members of Congress and the leaders of international organizations, among others.

Visit to Sudan and Uganda by Ms. Chinami Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

Mr. Sobashima: Also, Parliamentary Vice-Ministry Nishimura will be visiting Sudan and Uganda from July 18 until July 24. She will visit the Republic of the Sudan and also Uganda. In Sudan, she will of course have meetings with senior officials of the Government, and she plans to express Japan’s support for the progress of the comprehensive peace agreement and encourage the steady implementation of the agreement.

In Uganda, she will attend the ordinary session of the African Union Executive Council. Just for your information, for the earlier Executive Council held about six months ago in January, then-State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Fukuyama attended the meeting. I think it was in Addis Ababa.

So these are the topics and information I would like to share. Now I invite your questions.

Related Information (Press Release)


Questions concerning the sinking of an ROK military patrol vessel

Q: I have two questions.

One is about the upcoming ASEAN-related ministerial meetings and the ARF meeting. Is there any possibility that the South Korean ship sinking will be discussed at the ARF and also the ASEAN meetings, since the North Korean Foreign Minister will likely attend the meetings?

Mr. Sobashima: Yes, we expect so, but as you mentioned, there are many meetings – ASEAN+3 with Japan, ASEAN, and as you mentioned, ARF, and perhaps some other meetings as well. I would like to refrain from giving you our expectations in detail, but we hope so, yes, at least in some of the meetings. Also, as you mentioned, because North Korea will be participating in ARF, we feel it is a good opportunity for the members, the participants going to Viet Nam, to discuss this issue. But I would like to refrain from going into details. The answer is yes, but I would like to refrain on the details. Thank you.

Questions concerning Japan’s support to Sudan

Q: The second question is about Japan’s support to Sudan. Two days ago the Government announced on the issue of the dispatch of a SDF helicopter unit to Sudan for peacekeeping operations. Is Japan considering alternative support to Sudan? What will Ms. Nishimura explain to the Sudan government when they consult her?

Mr. Sobashima: I’m sorry that I don’t have detailed information about the specific components of assistance to Sudan. The only thing I would like to repeat is that Japan intends to support the peace process. In this regard, of course we will consider other assistance, but on what you mentioned, I do not have information immediately available. So I am not able to answer your question right away. But if I get the information later, then I would like to come back to you.

Again, Japan intends to support the peace process. In this regard, we will consider our assistance; however, I don’t have with me right now the detailed information of the content of assistance. When Parliamentary Vice-Minister Nishimura’s visit is concluded, by that time you will know what has been decided. In any event, I will come back to you later.

Thank you very much.

Related Infortion (Japan-Sudan Relations)