Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 29 July 2010

1. Message of condolences from Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada in response to the plane crash disaster in Pakistan
2. ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings and Foreign Minister Okada's visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic
3. Sixth meeting of the Japanese Working Group for the Forum for Promotion of Public-Private Cooperation in the Mekong region
4. Dispatch of Election Observers to the General Election in the Solomon Islands
5. Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC)
6. Visit to Japan by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
7. VIP Visits
8. Question concerning Japan-Mekong cooperation
9. Questions concerning Japan-Viet Nam cooperation
10. Questions concerning the delay of publication of the Defense of Japan White Paper
11. Questions concerning the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910
12. Question concerning the Japanese response to the air crash disaster in Pakistan
13. Questions concerning negotiations with Mongolia on natural resources development and an Economic Partnership Agreement
14. Question concerning UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's visit to Japan

Message of condolences from Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada in response to the plane crash disaster in Pakistan

Deputy Press Secretary Hidenobu Sobashima: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. At the outset I would like to inform you that in the wake of yesterday's crash of a plane in Islamabad, Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada sent a message to his counterpart in Pakistan, H.E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, expressing his condolences and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives. That was yesterday.

ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings and Foreign Minister Okada's visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Mr. Sobashima: Now, I would like to explain Foreign Minister Okada's visit. Last week already my colleague explained the Kabul Conference, so I will explain just roughly his participation in five multilateral meetings, that is, the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Informal Consultations, the Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers' meeting, the Japan-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. He participated in these meetings and also he had bilateral meetings with a number of Foreign Ministers participating in these meetings.

Later, from Friday to Saturday last week he had an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and then from Saturday to Sunday an official visit to Lao People's Democratic Republic.

We only distributed the Chairman's statement of the Third Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting, because this is the only available document in English of those multilateral meetings.

Just orally I will explain that ASEAN countries have a target of having an ASEAN Community by 2015, therefore the countries outside ASEAN showed their intention to cooperate with ASEAN countries to support their initiative, particularly regarding their objective of an ASEAN Community. And of course Foreign Minister Okada expressed his intention to cooperate with ASEAN members in this regard. Particularly, the ASEAN countries are now concentrating their cooperation under this word of "connectivity", increasing the connectivity. So Japan is ready to cooperate with ASEAN countries to increase the connectivity in the region. Similar attitudes apply also to the Mekong sub-region, the five Mekong countries of the ten ASEAN countries, that Japan is ready to offer cooperation for their efforts to increase connectivity in the sub-region.

Also, as we have distributed the paper, you can notice in Paragraph 5, "The Ministers of the Mekong region countries welcomed Japan's detailed explanation of 'A Decade toward the Green Mekong' Initiative". This is the initiative from now until, roughly-speaking, 2020. Japan expressed its intention to cooperate with Mekong countries in promoting this initiative by implementing specific projects which contribute to promotion of environment and also development. So this is one of the main themes that we discussed with the Mekong countries.

If you turn the page, there are some of the points that we discussed with the Mekong countries but also with other members of ASEAN and also in other fora like the ARF and the EAS. For example, please have a look at Paragraph 8. This is with respect to the Korean Peninsula. It says that, "the Ministers emphasized the importance of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and reiterated the need to fully comply with the related UN Security Council resolutions. The Ministers also stressed the need for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to address the humanitarian concerns of the international community including the abduction issue." So this is roughly what we discussed in the Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting with regard to the Korean Peninsula issue.

In the next paragraph, Paragraph 9, this is on Myanmar, it says, "The Ministers expected that the upcoming general elections in Myanmar this year be conducted in a free, fair and inclusive manner, with the participation of all the parties concerned, thereby contributing to stability and development of Myanmar." So this is the statement on Myanmar.

Finally I would like to explain Paragraph 10, this is on UN reform, particularly UN Security Council reform. "The Ministers reaffirmed the urgent need for the United Nations reform, especially the Security Council reform through expanding both its permanent and non-permanent membership. Japan highly appreciated the Mekong region countries' continuous support for Japan to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council."

So these are the topics, among others, that were discussed between Foreign Minister Okada and the Foreign Ministers of the Mekong sub-region. I will stop here, but of course I am ready to answer your questions in relation to the Foreign Minister's visit to Hanoi and Vientiane.

Sixth meeting of the Japanese Working Group for the Forum for Promotion of Public-Private Cooperation in the Mekong region

Mr. Sobashima: In the context of Japan-Mekong cooperation, yesterday we had the sixth meeting of the Japanese Working Group for the Forum for Promotion of Public-Private Cooperation in the Mekong region. As a follow up on the Mekong-Japan Action Plan 63, that was issued at the first Japan-Mekong Summit, held in November last year, yesterday the sixth meeting of the Japanese Working Group for the Forum for Promotion of Public-Private Cooperation in the Mekong region was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Attendees at the meeting included the members from the Cabinet Secretariat, including its National Policy Unit; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Finance; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Ministry of the Environment; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC); Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation); and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At the meeting, a broad range of discussions were held on the ways of public-private sector cooperation and coordination under the theme of Mekong-Japan industry government dialogue and human resources development in Viet Nam. I would just like to explain that Japan is steadily implementing what we have already expressed, the cooperation between Japan and the Mekong sub-region.

Dispatch of Election Observers to the General Election in the Solomon Islands

Mr. Sobashima: Next is the dispatch of election observers to the general election in the Solomon Islands. Japan will send Election Observers to support free and fair conduct of the general election in the Solomon Islands scheduled on Wednesday, 4 August. The 7-person mission headed by Mr. Akira Iwanade, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan in the Solomon Islands, will consist of Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, both from there and who normally work in other parts, and also a private expert in the academic sector. To support the preparation and implementation of the election, Japan has decided also to extend financial assistance of approximately 100,000 US dollars (approximately 9.4 million yen) through the Japan-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Partnership Fund. This general election is an important occasion so that the democracy becomes a permanent fixture of this country.

Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC)

Mr. Sobashima: Next is the visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The Chairperson of the AUC will visit Japan from Sunday, 1 August to Tuesday, 3 August as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On Monday, 2 August, Mr. Ping will meet with our Foreign Minister, Mr. Okada, for an exchange of opinions on Japan-AU relations. Furthermore, in the afternoon of Tuesday, 3 August, Mr. Ping is scheduled to give a keynote address at a symposium to be held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the United Nations University, with the title "Present and Future of African Integration -Towards a New Japan-Africa Relationship"

Visit to Japan by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Mr. Sobashima: Next is the visit to Japan by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. We already distributed this earlier, however, because this visit will take place in the near future I thought it is useful to remind you of his visit to Japan. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, will visit Japan from Tuesday, 3 August to Saturday, 7 August upon the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

During his stay in Japan, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon is scheduled to hold a meeting with Mr. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan and Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon will also visit Nagasaki and Hiroshima during his stay. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon will be the first Secretary-General of the United Nations to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.

We heard the announcement yesterday by the United States that Ambassador Roos will be attending the same ceremony, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Ceremony, so certainly we welcome Ambassador Roos participating in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.

VIP Visits

Mr. Sobashima: I think I have exhausted the papers already distributed. I would like to orally add that as for VIP visits the Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka is in town now, from Monday, 26 July, until Friday, 30 July, and he is expected to have a meeting with Foreign Minister Okada later.

We also have a Mongolian Minister, Mr. Dashdorj Zorigt, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, who will be visiting from today, Thursday, 29 July, until Tuesday, 3 August, as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Again this minister, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Okada, among other officials and people he will be meeting in Japan.

These are the topics I would like to explain to you at the outset, and I invite your questions.

Question concerning Japan-Mekong cooperation

Q: I have several questions. Firstly regarding the Mekong and South East Asia issues. First of all, just conceptually speaking, what is the intention behind Japan making a relationship with Mekong countries as opposed to ASEAN? What is the concept behind the framework? Why are Mekong countries to be set aside as a unique group, as opposed to Japan's relations with ASEAN as a whole?

Mr. Sobashima: Thank you for the question. As I already explained we had a summit meeting in November last year, when then Prime Minister Hatoyama received the leaders of the Mekong sub-region five countries. So this was a summit meeting already held. And earlier there was a meeting at the Foreign Ministers' level in January 2008, the first Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' meeting, which was held in Tokyo. And then there was a second Foreign Ministers' meeting last year in October, and then last week we had a third Foreign Ministers' meeting. So we have this framework. As you see, those countries which have the Mekong river through their country - five countries, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam - have a sort of a similar situation. They benefit from the Mekong river, and many of the countries are sort of mountainous countries rather than coastal. So they have their needs for development, for example the utilization of the Mekong River resources is a sort of their common interest. As there are gaps between their economic situations, the assistance is necessary for this region. Those characteristics distinguish the Mekong countries from the other countries of ASEAN, so we felt that it was useful to have dialogue with those countries, and also perhaps to have a plan to address to these countries as a group in addition to our bilateral cooperation and our cooperation for the ASEAN region as a whole.

Questions concerning Japan-Viet Nam cooperation

Q: My second question on the South East Asia issues is also not mentioned in this but mentioned by the media, was that with Viet Nam in particular there is a new 2+2 Dialogue that is going to be created at the Vice Ministerial level, Defense Ministers and Foreign Ministers, Vice Foreign Ministers and Director Generals will begin meeting with Viet Nam, and this is only, I think, the fourth country that Japan is beginning this framework with, after the United States, Australia, and India. Can you explain what is the agenda for defense cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam?

Mr. Sobashima: I would like to have a reservation on whether it is the fourth or some other number, but yes we have at least three other countries, irrespective of the levels, where we have 2+2 type of meetings. I need to check whether it is the fourth or not. But in any event, yes, you are quite right that on the occasion of Foreign Minister Okada's visit to Viet Nam we agreed between the Foreign Ministers, Foreign Minister Okada with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, to launch a strategic partnership dialogue. The purpose is to discuss political, defense, and security situations which are of common interest to the two countries, so the purpose is to discuss the regional and international issues which are of common interest to the two countries.

Q: Could you give me some idea of what are the common security interests of Japan and Viet Nam, other than that all countries want stability in the region and things like this? Is there anything specific about Japan and Viet Nam that we should bear in mind, in terms of comprehensive strategic relationship?

Mr. Sobashima: In the context of the ARF, the participants discussed the maritime safety in general terms, and also particularly with regard to the South China Sea. So perhaps the maritime safety may be the issue of common interest of the two counties, and I will stop here.

Questions concerning the delay of publication of the Defense of Japan White Paper

Q: My question is not related to today's topics. The first is, according the Japanese press, especially the Asahi Shinbun and Sankei Shinbun, the Japanese Government delayed the publication of the Defense of Japan White Paper to avoid criticism from South Korea. What is the real reason for the delay of the Ministry of Defense report?

Mr. Sobashima: I think that question has already been answered by senior officials at higher levels. The reason why the government decided to postpone the publication is that we felt that it is advisable to include some of the developments, like what happened with respect to the sinking of the naval vessel Cheonan, and other things that happened after the draft was prepared. So the government decided to postpone so that we would be able to include those developments that were not included in the draft that was submitted for approval and issuance. So that is the reason why.

Q: You gave two reasons to delay the announcement, but most of the people don't understand why those reasons delay the announcement, so I want the real reason.

Mr. Sobashima: Whatever you say, my answer will be the same. The reason why the government decided is to reflect the developments which were not included in the original draft which was circulated.

Questions concerning the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910

Q: Second is that yesterday 1,000 scholars from Korea and Japan asked the Japanese Government to declare (null and void) the Annexation Treaty signed 100 years ago. What is your government's opinion about this?

Mr. Sobashima: Can I just clarify who are the people who made this request?

Q: Scholars from Japan and Korea, over 1,118 scholars requested Prime Minister Kan to declare the Annexation Treaty.

Mr. Sobashima: What you call Annexation Treaty, the two governments already agreed that it is not effective now, that it is already null and void. But apart from that, perhaps I would like to refrain from commenting on the contents of the documents which were prepared by private persons, either scholars or students or any other persons.

Q: Most of the Korean people, especially the scholars and government, don't think that the Japanese Government declared the Annexation Document. The Korean people argue that this document was null and void, but the Japanese still think this is okay.

Mr. Sobashima: Can I come back to you later bilaterally, because this is a very important issue, and I think I shouldn't respond without precision. I should check the exact formulation of what is the position. As far as my understanding is concerned we have declared it not effective now, but in what regard I have to check and come back to you.

Question concerning the Japanese response to the air crash disaster in Pakistan

Q: About the disaster of the air crash in Pakistan, was the message sent by telephone, and is the Government of Japan considering to send some investigation team, because the reason of the crash is not yet clear? Maybe it is due to lack of expertise of the Pakistan side. Would it not be helpful for the international community to avoid such crashes in the future, to have some sort of investigation by Japan or an international organization?

Mr. Sobashima: If there is a request forthcoming from the government of Pakistan, certainly Japan will consider it. However, at this stage, of course we are interested what was the cause of the crash, but I would like to refrain from answering your question because I don't have the detailed background surrounding the crash and also what is situation of the government of Pakistan, whether the government is ready to conduct an investigation by themselves or with the cooperation of other countries other than Japan. But certainly if there is a request forthcoming from the government of Pakistan we should consider what we could do at least. How the message was communicated from Japan's Foreign Minister to the Pakistani Foreign Minister I would like to refrain from explaining here specifically, but I would like to explain that normally because we have the embassies, the message would be communicated through the embassies, for example by way of the Japanese Embassy in Islamabad. I just explained a general situation.

Questions concerning negotiations with Mongolia on natural resources development and an Economic Partnership Agreement

Q: When Foreign Minister Okada was in Hanoi I believe he had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Mongolia, and during that time there was a news report that the Foreign Minister expressed interest in natural resources development with Mongolia, and now we just hear from you that actually the Natural Resources Minister is here, very quickly. Could you give us some idea about what sort of natural resources development is Japan interested in? Basically Mongolia has coal and uranium. Are these talks going to deal with both of these, or one of them in particular? And secondly, I believe there is also some talk of a free-trade agreement that may be negotiated between Japan and Mongolia. What is the status of the free-trade agreement, or the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), as Japan calls it.

Mr. Sobashima: On the first question, you are quite right, there were discussions between my Foreign Minister and the Foreign Minister of Mongolia, and the discussions covered the natural resources, so it is very opportune that the minister in charge of natural resources is in Tokyo. You are correct that Mongolia is rich in coal, and they have uranium, but I am not able to specify what type of mineral resources. You can certainly imagine.

Q: And how about the EPA question?

Mr. Sobashima: I am sorry to dissatisfy you two times. Yes we are interested in the further increased economic relationship between the two countries, but I don't have immediately available information. Can I come back to you later?

Q: As part of that I hope you will let us also know what is Mongolia interested in getting from Japan? Have they expressed any interest in what they want from Japan, in what kind of aid or assistance or trade are they asking from Japan as part of that bargain?

Mr. Sobashima: They understand that Japan is interested in the mineral resources. Of course, it is naturally expected that if you are going to sell those things that you would have the payment, therefore it is not necessary to speculate what additional element should be involved on the part of Mongolia in considering selling those things. But anyway, they of course showed interest of the cooperation, and they showed the willingness to consider selling the resources to Japan, but I don't think we need to link those economic things to other things like ODA.

Question concerning UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's visit to Japan

Q: With regard to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's visit to Japan I saw a news report that he will also hold talks with Defense Minister Kitazawa to discuss Japan's contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Can you confirm whether Mr. Ban will meet with Minister Kitazawa?

Mr. Sobashima: I am sorry, what I can confirm is what is written in the press releases at this point. We may be able to confirm at a later stage a more detailed itinerary of the UN Secretary-General. But at this point, as far as I am concerned, what I am able to confirm is that he is expected to meet with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of the Government of Japan. I am sorry.

If there are no further questions, thank you very much for coming.